What I Learned From The Pandemic While most of the stories coming out of the pandemic are negative, I have a positive story to share. The pandemic gave me a new perspective on life, and taught me how to live and enjoy life. As a senior citizen, I had been questioning my life, and wondering if I had done anything right, if I had actually accomplished anything, and what would my legacy be. Living through the pandemic helps me put these issues into proper perspective. I was depressed and thinking that my life was a waste, as I was working as a supermarket cashier, was not accomplishing anything, and just going through the motions in life. Then the pandemic hit and everything changed as I was suddenly working in a dangerous job where I could easily get sick and die, and I had to serve my customers so they could eat and survive. . The Department of Homeland Security classified food workers as essential workers, and expected us to continue working, as the nation and its citizens are in serious danger. Suddenly, my life was meaningful as I gained a new mission and purpose in life, and my job is important. I want to work and help my teammates and customers anyway I can. I want to see my teammates survive, stay healthy, and prosper during the pandemic. I want to serve my customers and make sure everyone has enough to eat so that they could remain healthy and strong. I appreciate everyday that I wake up and have another opportunity to work and serve my fellow man. I am a senior citizen, weak, tired and worn out, and I have serious medical problems. I do not know how long I can survive and continue working, but am am very grateful for every day that I wake up and have another chance to live and serve my fellow man. I do not know how everything will work out, but I have won the war. Now I enjoy, value and appreciate my life more than ever!. My teammates and customers were also Blessed with a major victory. God's Grace Leads To A Miracle When the pandemic first hit in March 2020, it was a very dangerous situation as there were no protections, no masks, no plastic dividers, and no social distancing. By the Grace of God I experienced a Miracle from God Himself! During the coronavirus and delta phase of the pandemic I did not get infected, none of my teammates were infected at the store, and I do not know of any customers who got infected at the store! Statistically, we should have had a great outbreak, but we were spared and no one got infected at the store. I believe my teammates and I were spared because we were acting in accordance with God's Will and serving food to people who had to eat to survive. This positive situation lasted until the incredibly contagious omnicort variant came about. Give to Others The pandemic taught me the importance of my job and made me determined to serve my fellow man and make life pleasant for them.. I realize I must serve my customers so they they can survive and I try to be as friendly, kind, and polite as possible so they can enjoy their visit to the supermarket. Opportunities to serve my customers are limited less. The other night I had a customer come in come into the store at about 11:15 PM and the store closes at midnight. He was in sorry shape as he was freezing to death and asked me for help. He only had one glove on and it looked like his other hand was just about frozen, He told me he lost his phone and wanted to use the store's telephone. I called his party and put him on the line, with his friends and they said they would send someone to pick him up and give him a ride home. I thought the problem was solved and went back to my register to wait on my customers. He figured out how to use the store's phone and made another call. This time he got a negative response as they said they were not sending anyone to pick him up and give him a ride home, and he was on his own. He came and told me the depressing situation. Then two of my best customers came in and went shopping. I told them the alarming situation I was in, and asked them if they would give him a ride home. Of course they agreed and the driver gave my friend a ride home and then came back to the store, picked up my customer and gave him a ride home. God is still working miracles in the supermarket after all these years! Mindfulness I learned to be mindful of the situation, to cherish the moment and focus on the present. I focus on the present and forgot about my past mistakes, disappointments, and failures. I am serving my customers in a very dangerous situation, and it is imperative that I succeed, so my customers can survive. My health, happiness, and satisfactions became second to accomplishing the overall mission. Mindfulness has improved my happiness and satisfaction. Here is the URL for a very informative video about the pandemic. Please view it and let us know what you think. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhAbjiPZXRA