DTWM - It's ok to be okThere’s no denying that life during this pandemic has been distressing. Everyone is feeling an emotional burden and each of us are having a different pandemic experience. At the devastating end of the spectrum are the tragic losses: loss of life, loss of loved ones, loss of job and loss of mental and physical health. There's also the loss of normal rituals and routines. We lost the predictability that we often took for granted. This is a frustrating time of uncertainty.
Acknowledging the reality of our unpredictable situation, we must not demand that all circumstances should be favorable in order to be happy. There are plenty of reasons to struggle with our "new normal" but there are always bright spots in dark times.
While it's "ok not to be ok," it's also "ok to be ok.”
See the good. Be grateful. Celebrate. Spreading joy during sad times doesn't make you a bad person.
The ability to feel multiple emotions is the resilience that helps us navigate through difficult times.
Feelings aren't right or wrong or good or bad. They just are. Whatever you feel at this unfamiliar time is ok.
You aren’t a bad person if part of you feels happy at times. If you can find, create or spread joy in this troublesome time, consider it a gift and a privilege - and most of all, be grateful for it.
DTWM - Patience
We cut corners and look for shortcuts. We want quick answers to complex problems. We are intensely hungry for results. We love instant gratification. Another reason to love Mother Nature - she’s the best teacher for learning patience.
You may have recently found yourself growing more inpatient - with yourself, with others and with the current circumstances. Impatiently wanting to get back to normal life, as quick as possible.
With money to spend, work to get done, warm weather to enjoy and vacations to take, your impatience may be getting the best of you. You may feel like you’ve sacrificed enough and you can’t continue to live like this for any longer.
No matter how much you desperately want life to return to normal, this virus will not dissolve just because you are so over it.
We are all potential victims. We are all possible killers.
The sacrifices we make can save a life. As it relates to this virus, if there’s nothing to spread, there’s nothing to catch.
We all have the right to be impatient about our current situation. The virus is no less dangerous and the cure is no where in sight.
Patience requires that we are willing to forgo present satisfaction for future benefits. Indirectly or directly, your behavior and choices can protect yourself, your loved ones and the rest of our nation. Even if the odds are against you that you won’t die from this virus, you still have a moral obligation to protect your fellow community members and citizens.
During these unprecedented times, we must be patient, disciplined and selfless as we voluntarily curb our freedom and make smart choices, all in the interest of the common good.
Keep showing up
Life often throws unanticipated challenges at us. Although a challenge may cause disappointment, anger, frustration or sadness, you are ultimately the only one who can choose how you decide to react and respond to the challenges that life presents to you.
Much of the “unfairness” in the world is not within our control. Too often, the situations we get the most upset over are situations in which we have no control over. Step out of the victim mindset and view yourself as a survivor.
This doesn’t mean you should ignore current situations and pretend bad things don’t/won’t happen. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feel anger or frustration over devastating injustices that are happening in this world.
It’s important to control your emotions in a positive way. Otherwise, negativity and unfairness can overtake your thoughts and control your emotions - making it difficult to feel good about the world and your role in it.
You can’t change someone else’s decision or behavior if they aren’t willing to change.
You can’t change the tragedies that have occurred in our nation but you can support causes that will help prevent future affliction.
Don’t assume society will magically change. The real change comes when you go within and do the work of inner transformation.
You can’t predict the future but you can increase the chance for success by being persistent and consistent.
Sometimes we need to accept that life will be unfair. And sometimes we will have a strong intuition to fight for what is right.
Life is a mixture of devastating loss, baffling experiences and joyous occasions. Life is a hodgepodge of unpredictable moments.
With the past behind you and the future still unknown, enjoy the present. Gratitude is always an option.
Your current situation may not be what you planned or wanted, but you must accept what is, keep showing up and do what you need to do to be the best human that you can be.
