The Before Times

 

 Have you heard my stories of running into celebrities? Here’s one of my favorites! When I was in my teens, I saw Steve Martin play the banjo in a small Colorado theater. He didn’t tell any jokes or even have much to say. Long ago, he was a dedicated musician trying to make his living playing music. That shows how old I am. I still remember the moment I first saw him in a movie and realized that he became a successful actor. Then I ran into him...literally at an outdoor theater in Laguna Beach, CA. over 30 years later.. He was there with Diane Keaton and my children spotted them as they took their seats. We turned our attention to watching the paintings come alive with the actors onstage until intermission. My children asked if they could take their programs over to the famous couple and ask for an autograph. I watched them run-up to the gracious couple who even talked to them as they signed their programs. It was a moment in time that showed the kindness of a beautiful actress and a man who discovered that he was a talented actor. Although, I bet he still plays the banjo for fun.

In this unique time in the world, what lessons can we learn from this? One is that we need to reassess our talents and discover that we may have more than one. Just because we pursued one career doesn’t mean we can’t shift to a new one. We can attend online classes more than ever before. We can also work virtually, listen to speakers, and learn new skills over the Internet. That is what happened to me during the pandemic. I moved to a new state, unpacked, and started looking for something to do. Now I’m teaching teachers how to teach reading online from home. 

However, the virtual world is a little unsettling because we have to rely on visual cues when we meet someone. We get to know someone through facial expressions and their choice of google meet backgrounds. Guess what I learned on the radio? You can put a piece of tape over the top of your nose and it will stop your mask from fogging up your glasses. This is a new strategy that I need to try out.

What is the ‘gift’ that you discovered during the pandemic? How will you use it and take it into the future? I started ‘Betsy’s Blog’ during the pandemic. It has opened up new friendships online with “Likes” on my posts. I joined an online writers workshop that got me into Twitter to pitch book ideas to editors. I also took online writing courses with videos and podcasts. I will take these with me beyond the pandemic. What new skills have you learned that you can use in the future?

None of us can use the excuse that we don’t have enough time during the pandemic. Some days I have too much time and spend it in non-productive ways. It’s kind of like eating junk food from the cupboard when I have healthy food in the refrigerator. We have to remember that tomorrow is a promise, not a given. Stay Safe and wear your mask. The vaccine is on its way. Be patient!