For years, I’ve opened emails with the line, “Hope this finds you well.” My, has that sentence grown new legs. Much of the world’s population is hunkered down at home avoiding a nasty virus. Watching. Listening. Waiting. Praying. Attempting.

Watching the numbers, the news.

Listening to the stories that turn statistics into somebody’s Grandma, best friend, favorite teacher.

Waiting for the peak to hit home.

Praying for the curve to flatten.

Attempting to control what we can by preparing. Buying. Cooking and eating. Moving our bodies.

Sometimes we can focus on gratitude; sometimes we can’t. The anxiety and fear loom too large. Sometimes we can look forward to the day when we can thank the virus for the lessons; sometimes we can’t. In this moment, in this day, I can dream about those lessons. If this is not that time for you, I understand. It’s okay.

My post-Covid-19 dream of existence, enlightened by the experience of 2020:

• We are all one. Equally loved by God and equally connected to God and each other. There are no borders or hierarchies or castes–only souls.
• We are unique individuals. Comparing our talents to those of our neighbor–futile. Unkind to our psyche. Unfair to our inner child.
• We each have a purpose and a renewed urgency to realize it. And just maybe, now, that urgency can overshadow the fear that holds us back.
• We nurture our home–Earth. We stop abusing her and do our part to love her.
• We live beneath our means. Leave room for sharing.
• We develop true empathy for the plight of our fellow humans, uplift where we can and pray for others to help where we can’t.
• We understand that playing, meditating, dreaming are not a waste of time.
• We express gratitude for a bluebird sighting, an easy, full, deep breath, a body healthy enough to take a walk around our neighborhood, another day with loved ones.
• We renew our quest for joy.

I don’t know, maybe this is all just a silly, positive-thinker thought. But maybe it’s not, and it’s a prayer. A legit prayer that God answers and we all come out on the other side of this stronger and better. We grieve losses and celebrate heroes and we grow.

In this moment, in this day, I can think it’s possible.