What have you learned about yourself in the last few years?

I am extremely resilient. In the face of trauma, I expertly use tools to bounce back and thrive.

@Hawaii_Jake Like you, I’ve found I am resilient too and can cope in various ways with a number of setbacks. I’m learning to change my behavior as needed with the vicissitudes of the pandemic and am very grateful that I have the means to be able to do so. I have learned that I can make myself quite happy with less of a broader social life but meaningful connections with friends and cousins.

In a broader sense, I have learned to not get upset by interactions on the internet and to state my opinions clearly but not get engaged in a pointless back and forth with people set in their own.

That things will never get “back to normal ”. The past few years have shown me that:
(1) I am in that class of people often referred to objectively as “old”.
(2) Age, as I’ve always felt, is more a state of mind, moderated be physical well-being.
(3) I like being “Grandpa” as long as Grandpa is not the default babysitter.

Nothing. What happens will happen. What, ME worry? If I croak tonight, I had a good run. If I don’t then, more life and fun and surprises to come. And philosophizing about life always gives me a headache.

I’ve realized that even though I may appear to be social and chatty, I prefer to not have to make small talk or talk on the phone unless the situation arises. I will try to avoid it by not initiating calls or social situations.

I used to think I had eternal life, but since a few years I know I do.
Also, it has appeared that I am much more resilient to hardship.
I can’t yet tell to what cost though.

All thanks to Obama.
The guy deserves some credit, doesn’t he?

That I had IBS, ( Irritable bowel syndrome), since I was 12 and that I didn’t know till this year. Ibs could have caused my truancy seeing I was always in pain.

That I have a lot to learn. Just as I thought I knew everything, there would be a big change that made me realize I don’t know as much as I thought. And I think that is a good thing. Life would be boring if there is nothing new to discover.