WIDA Western Iowa Development Association
  • Home
    • Carson
    • Crescent
    • Hancock
    • Macedonia
    • McClelland
    • Minden
    • Oakland
    • Shelby
    • Treynor
    • Underwood
    • Walnut
    • Avoca Main Street
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Upcoming Events
  • WIDA Rural Pott. Co. Newsletter Archive
  • Annual Events in Pottawattamie County

Be in the Know.

Answering What we're All Wondering...

4/30/2020

4 Comments

 
Picture
As things continue to change with the COVID-19 pandemic, we all are probably wondering what’s next?  Where do we go from here? 

I ask you to ponder where you specifically want to go from here.  I ask as a person who is working in community development, as a person who is concerned with economic development, as a person who lives here in the greatest country in the world, as a customer, wife, mother, daughter, and human being.

I have questions.  You probably do, too.

Will we have a renewed sense of family values?  Will you want to spend more time with your family?  Will someone stand up and say that as much as we all love sports they shouldn’t be played on a Sunday?  Will we just be ready to see others and forget family bonding?  Will game nights and family meals be expected again and wanted?  Or will we be on to the next thing?

Will we realize what jobs are “essential” and encourage the trades?  Will our kids see what pays the bills and how important education is?

Will we find a new appreciation for educators after attempting to home-school?  Will they get the wage they deserve?  Will we realize that farmers keep food on our plates even though the middle men are making all the money?  Will the farmers make a union?  Will we make more meals at home?  Will more drive-thrus be built for the next time?  Will there be a next time? 

Will there be more gardens?  Will there be more flowers for bees and butterflies? 

Will our kids again know how to cook, clean, and hang out with us?  Will they remember this fondly or as horrifying?

Will we have all our home projects done that had been put off for years and be ready to socialize?  Will we jump at the chance to go to restaurants to eat in their environment?  Will we go to town volunteer-driven events because we can?  Will we appreciate those volunteers?  Will we show up for our communities?

Will we change our spending habits after watching our bank accounts during this? 

Will we slow down our instant gratification fix? Will we up it to reward ourselves for surviving?

Will we make our homes and our yards beyond fantastic so that we prefer to stay in?  Will we work from home instead of going to the office?  Will we isolate ourselves more out of fear or habit?  Will we find ourselves even lonelier?  Will the mental health crisis grow?  Or will we find peace in helping our neighbors by sewing masks or picking up groceries?

Will we go see the people who can’t go where they want to because now we understand how it feels?  Will we have a greater sense of empathy?

Will more people vote to make sure the right people are making decisions for us?

Will we order everything online?  Will the malls and retail stores close?  Will we flock to malls because we can? Or will we realize the value of boutiques and trying things on or a business owner that knows your personal tastes?  Will we shop local because we realize the need for something close and attainable?

Will we continue to be a little nicer to those in the medical profession and to the grocers and discount store workers?  Will businesses try something new?

Will we think ahead and make changes for the betterment of our new normal? Will we dream something bigger and better?  Will we go back and enjoy the simpler times and ways of life?

Will we see a new interest in Iowa and the rest of the Midwest with its open spaces and beauty?  Will Coasters visit or move here?  Will the trails stay busy with walkers, bikers, and exercisers?  Will more be built in case there’s a next time?

Will we not take spending time with others for granted?  Will we hug more because we missed it or will we be too scared and miss out on human touch that they say provides healing and comfort?  Will we push up against the next person at a live concert and just be glad we can be there?  Will we realize that it’s safer to stay home?

Will we have a renewed sense of community?  Will we love where we live more?  Will we use our vacation days for family trips or mental health pick-me-ups instead of losing them because it keeps us healthy and much happier?  Will we seek out cool things nearby?  Will we stay home when we are sick without the guilt of missing work from supervisors and out of respect for the safety of others?  Will we value our health more?  Will self-care be even more important? 

Will what “the Jones” are doing matter less?  Will we learn to judge less and accept more because we all have our own set of battles?  Will we realize the grass isn’t always greener?  Will we try to do better?

Will we re-evaluate our priorities?

For every question I might have, the real answers come back to our priorities.  As we struggle to deal with the new “normal” and adjust to all that has changed and remained the same, I ask that you ask yourself that one last question:  What matters?

May the right things matter. 

May you find your sense of community.

May you find the benefit in doing for others.

May you find appreciation.

And may you always remember we are all in this together…

Seek the light.

Be the light.

 
4 Comments
Mischa link
4/30/2020 06:50:36 pm

The “Like” button isn’t enough- I really love this - I’ve thought so many things on this page and many more. I pray that all of this brings good things too numerous to imagine. God bless us all. Amen.

Reply
WIDA link
5/1/2020 07:59:00 am

Thank you. And yes, God bless us all.

Reply
Deb F
5/1/2020 05:42:42 am

Your words of wisdom are just perfect. You are a blessing to SW Iowa! Thank you for caring with your whole heart.

Reply
WIDA link
5/1/2020 08:00:17 am

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Your words truly made me know I'm doing the right things.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Highlights

    Keep current with Southwest Iowa happenings here.
    ​

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • Carson
    • Crescent
    • Hancock
    • Macedonia
    • McClelland
    • Minden
    • Oakland
    • Shelby
    • Treynor
    • Underwood
    • Walnut
    • Avoca Main Street
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Upcoming Events
  • WIDA Rural Pott. Co. Newsletter Archive
  • Annual Events in Pottawattamie County