Is COVID an excuse?
I have used it to explain why I’ve had writers block, why I haven’t gotten started on that (fill in the blank) project, why I’ve slept later in the morning, watched more TV, etc. etc. But it’s really no excuse.
Yes, it’s real, yes it has caused loss, pain and suffering to many. But for me, and for many others I’ve talked to recently, it’s been good…and bad. Good in that we’ve used technology to reach out globally and learn, grow, network. Bad in that we perhaps have had to rely too much on technology and haven’t spent enough time…on what really matters.
I’ve been talking to lots of writers (my field of clients) who, like me, have – either with just cause or not – procrastinated in getting their books done over the years…and used COVID as just another thing to blame. I know, I’m guilty too. But as the popular Chinese proverb says : “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.†A book (or any type of creative project) is like a tree. It takes a lot of time to grow. But we can’t and shouldn’t live in regret of past wasted time…we only have today. So I’ll quote another famous ancient Sanskrit poem: “Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life. In its brief course lie all the realities and truths of existence: the joy of growth the splendor of action the glory of power…” And the Bible (Isaiah 43:18-19) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Today I pray not to look back but to look ahead, to today, and let God do a new thing through me.
