Consider the Change
A little over a year later the world, which specifically includes you and me, is still managing the impact of this unseen virus. Consider with me the changes this pandemic has launched in our world, our nation, and even our own lives. Just think for a moment; What have those changes meant to your life, to my life? I have noticed the mental health organizations previously focused on Adverse Childhood Events are now turning their focus to Positive Childhood Events as well. They are researching what specific behaviors we can engage in, to lessen the impact and even help heal those traumatic experiences. We are learning healthier ways of “being”, of living with ourselves and with our families which promotes joy and connection with ourselves and others.
Engaging in positive ways of being include believing in the value of self and others. Affirming oneself amid our imperfections. Acknowledging our inherent worth and the inherent worth of our neighbor and giving ourselves and our neighbor some grace. Knowing we are all experiencing the same, but unique, set of challenges that have come our way this past year. Stating out loud to yourself, I matter, and so do others. Every person born matters, no more and no less than others, WE all matter.
Putting in place a value system connects us to something greater than this world, to connect to a higher power and acknowledge I am just human. I need a belief system that brings me comfort, peace, and reassurance there is more to life than this current pain and trouble I am experiencing. Hope, and not just a ‘hope tomorrow will be better, but a hope focused on a higher power who will bring me safely home. This connection offers us serenity, hope, and joy. Assurance that I am not alone, I can trust in His power to persevere.
Taking care to pursue activities that bring you joy. Healthy activities like exercise, biking, walking, yoga, and playing a sport you love. Watching the pigmented colors of the sunrise appear in the Eastern sky early in the morning, I am ironically noticing, from my office window as I am writing this blog. Keeping up with daily routines in the midst of the change is important and stabilizing. Get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, attend to your medical and wellness, and keep up with taking care of your basic needs.
Lastly, connect with others, and be creative in connecting. I have heard so many recent stories from friends in this last week like I get to see my grandchildren for the first time since last summer. Some of us are back at work and able to feel the support we have missed in the past year. It feels like coming home, doesn’t it? How can you make a re-connection to someone you have missed connecting to this last year? Who needs to hear from you this week? Make it a priority and support each other, reach out today, maybe even if it is still by zoom, they have been missing you, and you have been missing them.