I’m not a fan of the phrase, the new normal. Aside from it feeling hackneyed, it’s also binding. And during a pandemic, we have enough restrictions, don’t we? If we say that the state we are in is the new normal, we give it permanence, even if it is subconsciously. There’s nothing normal about this time, nor […]
Through the Fire Into Alchemy
About 40 minutes into a virtual event with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a fire alarm went off at his office. It was likely a drill, but the real deal, complete with flashing lights and a blaring, robotic voice over a loudspeaker. It was like something out of a sit-com (think Space Force on Netflix). We’re all […]
Something Old, Something New, Something Familiar Sure Feels True
I watched Dirty Dancing the other night for what’s probably the 28th time. Despite a growing list of recommended shows and endless options from multiple streaming services, recently I find myself excitedly selecting something I’ve watched before. Correction, something I’ve watched many times before. As someone who specializes in organizational change communications, this shouldn’t surprise […]
Moments. They Don’t Last Forever.
Are moments the antidote to the seemingly never-ending pandemic? For those of us in the US who were not directly hit by death or illness related to COVID-19, the last four months have been an exercise in waiting. States across America — and most countries around the world over — began sheltering-in-place in the spring […]
Perspective on Perspective
During these politically charged times it’s become glaringly apparent that everyone has a perspective. And, everyone seems to get frustrated, sad or angry when others don’t share their perspective. I’m guilty of this. For example, I’m a bit baffled and irked when I see people who are completely focused on their kids not taking any […]
June Means Jumping In and Staying In
My monthly pandemic ponderings continue. This month, like many of you, COVID-19 is not top of mind. Life and death is. I missed #BlackoutTuesday, which conjured up some frustration with a dollop of FOMO. How could I miss it? Why was I so focused on work that day? Am I a bad person? Will my […]
Ode to a Cafe
When our favorite eateries become casualties of the pandemic The news about the closing of Specialty’s Cafe & Bakery hit me harder than I thought any business closure could. Specialty’s a fixture in San Francisco’s Financial District, where I’ve worked since the mid-90s. But in more recent years it became a safe haven during a […]
April is About Adjusting
Dear Readers, It’s a time like none other. Most, if not all, of us wake up not sure what the day might hold and how to untangle everything going on inside and out. As a person with a disability and chronic health issues, this isn’t quite as foreign to me as it may be for […]
May You Write a New Chapter
Dear Readers, What a month! April was all about adjusting to these extraordinary times. Many of us entered a waiting period, wondering when our lives might return to normal and trying desperately to keep our spirits up and our wits about us in the meantime. I have come to realize that waiting isn’t working. […]
Unprecedented Times Require Unprecedented Forgiveness
I had written a different post with tips and ideas on what to do while social distancing, but then realized that may not be what we need right now. There’s no shortage of COVID-19 information out there — from traditional media to blogs, emails from retailers and social media posts from anyone with an […]
