Before my dad contracted the Corona virus, he was in the process of launching a podcast called "A New Walk Down An Old Path." He was approaching retirement and wanted to take a fresh look at life and begin telling his life story. As I was going through his computer files, I found a recording of what would have been the introduction to his podcast. It was emotional to hear him talk about how we would get through this pandemic, and how there have been similar pandemics throughout history. But he didn’t make it to launch his podcast.
Losing a parent is never easy, and losing them during a pandemic is especially devastating. My dad was my hero, my mentor, and my friend. He was the rock that our family leaned on, and when he passed away due to complications from COVID-19, our family was turned upside down.
After my dad's passing, I took some time off to help my mom sort out the details and to deal with my own challenges from the loss. During that time, I realized that my identity was wrapped up in my professional life. Losing my dad made me realize that life is short, and we should not define ourselves solely by our careers. It forced me to find a new way to see myself and to focus on what is really important in life.
Reflecting back on my dad's life and everything he taught me, I feel like he paved the way for me in many ways. Now, I’m on a new walk down an old path as I learn to live life without him and rebuild my personal and professional lives. We can't control the future, but we can control how we approach the present.
I’m back working, living life, and rebuilding after my dad's passing. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m grateful for the path he carved for me, even if it is hard to see at times. When I can see it clearly, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to have had such a great dad, and I’m inspired to continue walking down this path, living in the moment and finding peace and happiness along the way.
Here are five things we can do to find peace and happiness living in the moment:
Practice mindfulness: Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings, and learn to accept them without judgment.
Cultivate gratitude: Appreciate what you have in your life and focus on the positive aspects of your current situation.
Connect with others: Spend time with loved ones, connect with friends, and build new relationships.
Pursue passions: Pursue hobbies and interests that make you happy, and give yourself permission to enjoy them fully.
Prioritize self-care: Take care of your mental and physical health, practice self-compassion, and be kind to yourself.
