For most of my adult life, I have believed that life is filled with opportunities for either learning or teaching. And COVID-19, while filled with challenges, is also filled with opportunities - to grow, learn, and teach.

Because of my age, my family has had me in self-quarantine since the end of February and when they first requested that I self-quarantine, I giggled because I enjoy being a bit of a hermit. Since I work from my home, my routine didn't change much at first and it was nice to have the duties of shopping, etc. taken from my plate. But then the publishing business started to really slow down and I was faced with free time that I haven't had in a while. And then the lessons really started!

Like many of us, I've often used the excuse of "I don't have time" when confronted with something "I should" be doing --- like exercise, getting back to my own writing, planting a garden, taking up a new hobby. . . My excuse was suddenly gone and I've had to look at the reality of what I do with my days. And some truths emerged.

I'm a workaholic. I really don't like exercise --- in any form. Writing exhilarates me and terrifies me, all at the same time. I'm a big picture girl - I like the idea and results of gardening, but not excited about all the detail stuff required for good results. Hobbies . . . hmmmm. . . I've never had time.

I definitely have fears about COVID-19 and what our world will look like once we emerge from quarantine but I have the choice of using this time to get to know myself and my family as we are now. It's a chance to slow down, get reacquainted and realize we always have time for those things we prioritize.