The places we call home are now filled with a blessing we take for granted

The places we call home. Be it an apartment, a single-family house or a condominium, it’s a place of safety, solace and shelter – a place defined more by the people who live there than the dwelling itself.

But the places we call home have changed drastically over the last nine months – shifting its traditional architype to something many of us never expected.

With businesses and schools across the country moving their everyday operations remotely, homes are adding make-shift offices and classrooms to their overall floorplans.

Others, who’ve sadly lost employment during the pandemic, are setting up dedicated quiet spaces for video interviews with organizations and recruiters, while struggling with the burden that their homes are a financial liability contingent upon employment.

There’s no denying that families and spouses are spending more time than ever in each other’s company – an adjustment some are struggling with. Homes, which used to find their interiors empty for some 40-60 hours, Monday through Friday, are now filled with activity 24/7.

When you really think about it, under the traditional architypes, families and spouses only saw each other a handful of hours on any given weekday. Much of their time was spent commuting, working at brick-and-mortar locations, running errands or shuttling children from school and extracurricular activities.

I hear far too many people complaining about this time at home. No one seems to be celebrating this rare gift to be with their families and spouses with such regularity – something many of us will probably never see again until retirement – if at all.

While financial hardships are undoubtedly at the forefront of those currently unemployed – and my thoughts and prayers truly go out to them – those who find themselves with a steady paycheck need to realize they have nothing to complain about and that this time is truly a blessing they should cherish.

Zig Ziglar once said, “Spend time with those you love. One of these days you will either say, ‘I wish I had,’ or, ‘I’m glad I did.’” I hope you’re able to say the latter.