winds of confusion, lessons from a tree

Is anyone else completely confused about life these days? Has there ever been a time before when so much conflicting information is being shared? How can a tiny germ cause such chaos, but more important issues are ignored? I have no answers and don't know what is truth anymore. News articles are published every day with one site stating a "fact" while another site states a "fact" that is the polar opposite. I don't spend a lot of time reading the news but skim headlines and hear other people's conversations. It seems like conspiracy theories, which I automatically mistrust, are everywhere, and I've finally concluded you can't believe anything. You can call me cynical, I know I am. Thank God this is not my permanent country! Unfortunately I can't bury my head in the sand, though. Somehow we have to cope with these accusations, recommendations, theories, movements, divisions, and riots that are swirling like dark clouds around us.

Maybe the reason this is on my mind is because I went back to work today after a two week quarantine due to a member of our household who was COVID positive. Cooking, cleaning, working outside, and being a homemaker was such a simple life. I never got bored, although I did get tired of cooking! Now I'm back to wearing a mask for 8 hours and following hospital regulations. I hugged a coworker and got reprimanded. (COVID! Social distance!) Another coworker still gets on my nerves. While driving to work this morning I purposed to be tolerant and kind. Unsuccessful. After two weeks of being around people who don't make a big deal out of COVID, going back to the high alert level of healthcare was kind of exhausting. On the bright side, more than one person told me I was missed and they were so glad to have me back. Maybe I am needed more than I realize! I need to focus on doing my small part instead of the restrictions and unpleasantness. 

Last week we went to Ohio to be with Chad and Keela and kiddos for a couple days. It was one of those spur of the moment decisions... I was quarantined and Cliff could get off, so we went! We spent part of a day at Lake Erie and I keep remembering something we saw there. The coastline is rocky, but at one place where we walked along, trees were growing in the boulders. At some places the roots were exposed on top of the rocks, then there were cracks and crevices where the roots snaked down to the water. I think there's life lessons to be learned from that. Overcoming obstacles, thriving in adverse circumstances, and staying strong when heavy winds are blowing were some of the inspirations that came to me. That's what I want to focus on instead of the turmoil around us!