A time to connect and rediscover family bonds and friendship

After almost four weeks in lockdown, we are becoming creative, inventive and "finding the time" to reconnect with family and friends. 

I have cousins spread across the world. That isn't unusual, especially when most of us originate from Southern Africa. We are 'friends' on social media, and see pictures and updates from the various families. Which is lovely and was such a treat after years of void as we scattered.

On Saturday, we had a family gathering on Zoom of many of my first cousins, and family members, who are based in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It was awesome!

I haven't 'seen' or spoken to some of them for as much as 40+ years... We were nippers! 

And it was easy to arrange. It was fabulous to chat. My Dad shared some of his family history findings. That was interesting and fascinating! We have some really fabulous ancestors.

Why has it taken a global pandemic to create this connection?

As I reflect, more and more as the days and weeks pass, we have been forced to stop our crazy busy lives.

More and more, as I connect with people the messages are the same.

Starting to enjoy the slower pace ...

Questioning what things will look like post-Covid-19 ...

Knowing it will be different and what do they/we want it to look like ...

Enjoying doing things we used to do ...

Questioning why we stopped doing some things ...

Learning to do new things ...

Amazed at how good we can be at things we've never tried before ...

Loving the conversations with people by phone or video chat ...

Really loving not spending day after day in the car or commuting ...

Creating more hours to do things that matter - work or play ...

Surprised at how quickly the days and weeks are passing ...

Which connections and conversations are you having that have brought joy?

Don't wait for a crisis bigger than this one to start a conversation that is long overdue.

Make the call. 

Use technology and enjoy a video call.

Create a group and have some fun together.

Get connected. Create new memories.

If you need some help, reach out. There are plenty of people who can help you.

I have a couple of mini-courses available to:

1. Help those new to all this "techie stuff" find their way and get set up
2. Support teachers and educators create fun lessons and ways of engaging online
3. Introduce groups, who normally meet in person, find new ways of creating fun events for all members
4. Inspire leaders to engage and support colleagues, and employees, who are now working remotely to feel valued and part of an amazing team

Contact me directly, for more details.

If you are finding things difficult please reach out and talk to someone. It is tough, any change is difficult.

I, and many other people around you, will do what we can to support you. Please reach out. Ask for help. Talk to others. 

There are a range of options available:

• For those trying to find a routine in working at home
• If you need someone to talk to, let's have a chat
• If you are looking for some inspired reading
• If now is the time to focus on you and what you want in life, we have plenty of time to do that..., then take a look at the various coaching options available 
• Join in the "mycornerintime" hashtag on instagram and twitter, where I am taking a daily picture of a corner of my world and capturing the beauty of the changes
• There will be more things over the next few days so sign up for the latest news about home based retreats, group coaching, mental resilience, stress management, home based working, and just keeping sane.