Many of us in the financial services industry are fortunate enough to be able to continue working during these difficult and trying times. It is not business as usual though as we are opening in-home offices and learning new techniques for communicating with colleagues and clients. In collaboration and consultation with head office and tech gurus, I am working on issues like the best virtual meeting tools for my needs, video conferencing, screen-sharing and recording capabilities, streamlining processes and so forth. Communication tools I had never heard of a few short years ago like, Zoom, Drop Box, Google Docs, Skype, Webex, Yammer, Join.Me are but a few, I am now becoming familiar with.
As the May long weekend was approaching though I found I had reached the point of technology overload. I needed an extra day or two for an, ‘I’m sick of these same four walls’ holiday. So there I was, all dressed up and ready to go with nowhere to go, thanks to the coronavirus. Then on May 14 came the miracle press release from Algonquin Provincial Park saying they were open for day-use hiking so off we went. Unfortunately just a few days into our Algonquin sojourn we got news of a death in my husband’s family. Due to restrictions in place at both the church and cemetery we would not be able to attend. Had this not been the case we would have left Algonquin the night before the services, stayed overnight in Toronto and headed back afterward. Instead we were able to be at both the church and cemetery from the peace and serenity of Algonquin. The service was really quite beautiful, quiet and solemn with the eight in attendance scattered throughout the large church. We found out afterward it was attended by friends and relatives ranging from Montreal to Phoenix including, of all places, Algonquin Park.
I have loved the stories coming in from around the world about the benefits to nature of COVID-19. How people living in India as far away from the Himalayas, can see them for the first time in decades. How those living in Beijing see stars at night for the first time ever. How the Mediterranean Sea has cleansed itself of 30 per cent of its’ pollution and the water of the canals in Venice are running blue for the first time in centuries. How Ying Ying and Le Le the giant pandas of Ocean Park Zoo in Hong Kong appear to be mating for the first time in a decade.
As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on our economy and social fabric causing so much anxiety and destruction we need to look beyond at the many positive permanent changes it is going to bring. We are learning new ways to communicate, to bank, to shop. We are discovering we can get by with far less then we would have thought possible. Rampant consumerism will become a thing of the past. We’ll rely on technology more and fossil fuels less. The one constant in life is change so embrace all the new ways of doing things you are learning during this time. Get ready for tomorrow for it is bound to be, a brand new day.
This article is supplied by Elizabeth O’Connor, an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member–Canadian Investor Protection Fund). This article is for information purposes only. Please consult with a professional advisor before taking any action based on information in this article.
Elizabeth O’Connor can be reached at 705-789-2100 or elizabeth.oconnor@rbc.com
Whether you are looking for a full time, full service financial advisor or seeking expert financial advice as a second opinion, call Elizabeth. With offices in Haliburton, Huntsville and Bracebridge, Elizabeth works closely with clients in cottage country from the lakes and surrounding towns.
Elizabeth O’Connor is an Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities, which is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. 705-789-2100
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