In our everyday movement and ability to navigate throughout the world, most people have been given the common denominator of our five basic senses: the ability to smell, taste, touch, see and hear. One of the most precious gifts that we can relate to from our basic senses is our ability to see. Precious are our eyes that we be able to see and experience the beauty of God’s creation in the world we live in. Yet, as we see with our natural eyes, we also know that two people can look at the same painting, person or situation and see totally opposite of one another.

The same holds true as we attempt to maneuver through the troubled times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people have adopted a “we’re all in this together” mantra. The stay-at-home mandate can be very different for each one of us. We all have to use caution in who we surround ourselves with and where we go. Although we may “all be in this together,” many people have very different perspectives of how to see and understand their experience.

What can I do with all the time I have?

How will I survive not being physically with other people?

I already feel alone, now what?

Let’s take, for example, an individual who works from home; they both have a source of income; however, one person may be able to work without direct supervision, focused and productive. They may see working from home as a benefit. Whereas another person may need more direct hands-on guidance and not be as productive if left on his own; thus, he may see working from home overwhelming.

Yet, on the other hand, for individuals who may be single, one person may be used to having a sense of freedom, like people, enjoy theaters etc., the mandate may be daunting and problematic as feelings of anxiety and restlessness may begin to develop. Whereas another person may like being alone, so the stay-at-home mandate is not problematic.

So, whether you believe that we are all in this together or not, most important is not what you see with your natural eyes but the perspective lens of which you view your circumstances.

Here are 5 things to help you see differently

1. Build a gratitude list. Find one thing every day that is a benefit for you while you are at home.
2. Think about the one unfinished project that you may have procrastinated about and complete it—the closet, the business plan, the book you have put off writing . . . get started.
3. Learn to honor yourself—get dressed, put on your makeup or shave, make you a nice dinner on fine china with a candle—but don’t sink into I’m not going anywhere so I won’t get dressed syndrome.
4. Stay connected, reach out to a friend or family member. Share old stories, get creative—improve your vocabulary, play a dictionary game—learn a new word and meaning each week.
5. Build your spiritual toolbox—increase your prayer life, study the Bible, memorize scripture.

Things don’t look the same as yesterday, everything looks different—I’m grateful that God doesn’t change—He is the same yesterday, today and forevermore (Hebrews 13:8).