Let Go and Let God

Like many fellow HR practitioners, the COVID-19 global pandemic has brought a lot of challenges.  And stress.  And heartache.  And quite frankly, a bit of anxiety.  It all came screaming back to me recently. 

I had to take my youngest daughter, Emily, to be tested for COVID this past weekend.  Again.  The first time was last November when all 4 in my household tested positive.  She came home from school last Friday with congestion and a low-grade fever.  I know it’s a combination of her allergies and a summer cold…but what if?  She is 7 months away from being able to be vaccinated.  She’s been in school for a week with a lot of other kids (also too young for the vaccine).  So I decided to error on the side of caution and get her tested.  (Praise Jesus, she tested negative!)

Going through the testing process for my daughter (again!) brought back a lot of thoughts and emotions I have experienced since the start of the pandemic.  It started with the situation at hand – what if she’s positive?  Who will stay home with her?  Do we have to quarantine? – and went to those who have lost jobs, closed businesses, been evicted, lost loved ones, etc. all as a result of the pandemic.  I’m sad, I’m angry, and I feel helpless.  I’m frustrated with those who are not doing the right things.  And then I stopped and asked myself why was I getting so upset?  And the answer came to me – it’s because I have no control. 

It was very freeing to finally be able to put a label on it.  I have felt out of control for the past 18 months.  And I’m a person who’s usually fairly in control.  I’m a planner.  I tend to have things taken care of.  But the pandemic threw me for a loop.  So many bad things have happened…and continue to happen to this day.  I can’t do anything to stop what is happening and that’s the part that leaves me feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. 

Again, I have to say that it felt good to identify the source of my tsunami of feelings.  So now what?  There are many things I can’t control but I’m going to focus on what I can:

• I will continue to work hard as an #HRPro to support my client employers and employees through the pandemic;

• I will continue to support my local Christian radio ministry because I believe in the power of Jesus to change and save lives;

• I will participate in my church’s school supply drive so that kids everywhere can have what they need to be successful in school;

• I will hug and kiss my family every day and tell them I love them and that I appreciate them;

• I will focus on the upcoming fall season and enjoy everything about my favorite time of the year, especially football;

• I will keep working toward my goal of running a half marathon in October and focus on my overall health and wellbeing. 

• I will give myself grace. 

My mom says sometimes you have to ‘let go and let God’.  She’s absolutely right.