Hello everybody; I wanted to drop aquick note to you and your family, and be the first to wish you an eventfulHoly Week and Happy Easter. Hopefully everyone is healthy and safe, whilemaking the best of our time together at home. While most of us are shelteringin place, lets remember those that are still working daily and are doing theirbest to help all of us get through this time of uncertainty. I know that I havecome to appreciate my friends in the medical field greatly; their selflessnessduring these days should not go unnoticed.

Individually, we are all going to beaffected by COVID-19 in one way or another. Whether its sickness, loss ofwork, struggling to make ends meet or frustration that your local market hashorrendously long lines and are out of your selective food or personal items weare all in this together. For many the frustration is everywhere and negativitylooms. To get through these times, we need to turn this frustrating mindset ofdifficulty around. There arent problems in this world, only situations. Again,everyone is being affected by this EVERYONE! Individually, we are beingaffected differently, some health, some financial, some family, but everyone isaffected. This hard time is temporary, it will pass; I promise. Again, thereare no problems, only situations. Situations create opportunity. Let me repeatthat: Situations create opportunity. It is how you respond to this opportunitythat needs to draw your focus. If you are chasing and hoping that the normalof last month is right around the corner, or will come back any day now Imsorry that normal is not coming back Ever! And that is just fine. Wheredoes it say a new normal cant be better? Why cant our households be better?Why cant our communities be better? The opportunity you are searching for, isin the ways you are handling your current situations. Are you continuing togrow? Are we being intentional with our activities and interactions? Purposefuldays? Purposeful acts? Are we taking our problems and looking at them assituations and creating opportunities to make your life, household, and world abetter place? Are you taking advantage of this opportunity to make an impact?Creating new habits? Or are you still chasing last months idea of normal?

Personally, for us, it has been quiteinteresting to say the least. Like many, we have had to adjust to distancelearning for school, new routines and the horrible thought of no socialphysical interaction for an extended period of time. Its hard for me not toshake hands, pat someone on the back or give hugs; its something I have had toovercome. But I encourage all to spend this time wisely. Slow down. Appreciatesome of the down time. Restore your principles in the family unit. Play gamestogether. Pray together. Eat together growing up, I learned more with my feetunder the table and breaking bread than I did in any classroom. I feel we needto re-focus and restore our personal principles in our own inner circles. Dontlet this time of uncertainty weigh you down, leverage this time to takeadvantage of your situations and make the most to restore your faith, yourmindset and your love for your family. Mother Teresa once said, If you want tochange the world, go home and love your family.

Create new habits. Habits that promotegrowth, wellness and connection. Meditate on the old daily habits that werenegative or detrimental to you, your family and business. Negative habits thatwere developed way before March of 2020 and that need to stay there, in thepast. Because when this ends and it will end each of us needs to be betterthan the person we were in early March. Cultivate, nurture and grow: we need todo this daily, and this time of uncertainty can be made certain in one aspectof your life, simply by controlling your reactions to your current situation.Have faith, trust the process of new positive habits in your life and moveforward. This too shall pass

I wish you and your family a HappyEaster. Please enter Holy Week with a pure heart, pray with your family, andprepare yourselves for a joyful Easter.

NicholasA. Nick Caton is a longtime local resident and Realtor; this was submitted asa special guest column and the opinions expressed are those of the author.

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Sending Community Wishes For Safe And Joyful Easter - Escalon Times