Small is beautiful.

I like to say I have “dual citizenship,” gravitating between  Rhode Island where I grew up and New York City where I moved when I started  college.

I have spent my whole adult life celebrating the beauty of bigness and New York City: Big career opportunities, big personalities, and big city spaces like Central Park which  I’ve used as my outdoor gym for 40 plus years.

Until recently.

On Tuesday, March 17, I came to Rhode Island to escape the ever growing and scary COVID-19 virus. Living in a big city with 8 million people did not seem like a good idea.

Since coming to RI, I have put myself under self quarantine for at least a minimum of 14 days.

Interestingly enough as a 24/7 minded New Yorker, I’m not bored.

I’ve rediscovered the joys of small or Little Rhody.

First, it’s a lot easier than the big city to practice social distance and isolation.

Second, it’s quiet here (especially in Cranston), providing the right environment to read, catch up on movies, and, thanks to technology like ZOOM, keep up with friends and business everywhere.

One treasure I rediscovered is Meshanicut State Park. My parents took us there as kids when the lake was frozen over and we could ice skate.

This time of year the lake is surrounded with hints of Spring coming in: beautiful trees and lots of wildlife such as birds, duck and geese.

The path around the lake is very hilly (nature’s version of the StairMaster) and whether you run or power walk, it’s become my version of an athletic Walden Pond.

I’m optimistic that we will survive and prosper once again when we get thru this pandemic.

However, I believe that experiences like this can always open up our eyes and minds to resetting priorities and thinking differently about how we want to live.

As for Rhode Island, I’m thinking we should appreciate how beautiful small is.