It is very depressing these days. Businesses are closed. We are all sheltering in place. Even if your business is open, no customers are coming, staff is being furloughed. TV, Internet, radio are all filled with sad news every day. When will this end?
The Industry Associations (DLI, CCA, NCA, TCATA are providing us with more needed information on steps to continue business, how to apply for financial assistance and just comfort in sharing each other’s experiences.
There are ways to find joy in everyday living. YOU need to take the steps. Many of us have faced hard times. Perhaps, not like this, but deep personal struggles and we have lived through it. With the help of the websites www.mindbodygreen.com and www.success.com, I have found some ideas to share with you.
Understand Fear – When you’re in survival mode, it’s difficult to think clearly. That’s why it’s important to recognize when you are, so you can take steps to ease the grip it has on you. Start with appreciating the small things: a beautiful sunset, a laugh with your child, a funny movie. Experts say there is a formula to happiness. It is necessary to change our thought patterns. You need to embrace the small things everyday. It becomes a habit while we are waiting for the “big thing” we hope is going to give us inner peace. Often the things that matter most are the small things.
Make Self-Care Part Of Your Routine – You need to take time for yourself. You have many who depend on you but if you are not taking care of yourself, you will be of no use to anyone. Take time to exercise. A walk will do a lot to clear the cobwebs but it must be done everyday. If you are lucky enough to have exercise equipment in your home, use it. You may be surprised how much you once enjoyed it.
Sound Meditation – Mediation is a way to relieve some stress. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTkw0Y8D6I8. This is a 20-minute sound mediation. All you need is to click on the link, no experience necessary. For more information on other sound meditations being offered, visit – https://www.innersoundsmeditation.com. If you do not care for this particular link there are others available to choose from. Explore until you find one you like.
Write Down 5 Things For Which You Are Grateful – Please work this into your bedtime routine. Put a notebook and pen by your bedside. Write down 5 things you were grateful for today. Simple things. You will see the patterns of things you are grateful for. These are the things when you are angry, lonely or feeling stressed that will remind you what is important. If you do this just before bedtime, it will help your brain think good thoughts while dozing off. You need to do this consistently for several weeks.
Choose Optimism – “Optimism decreases the stress hormone. Studies show that optimists are faster at solving problems, as well as more creative with their solutions. Luckily optimism is a habit that can be learned. It starts with simply choosing a more positive thought or response,” states Kaia Roman, MBG Contributor.
I found several quotes that brought a smile to my face. Check them out and hopefully you will find one or two that will bring a smile to your face.
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow – Hellen Keller
Success consists of going from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm – Winston Churchill
Happiness is a function of accepting what is – Werner Erhard
Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations – Unknown
A man is as miserable as he thinks he is – Seneca
Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb but how well you bounce – Vivian Komori
Happiness is your dentist telling you it won’t hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill – Johnny Carson
Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian – Shari R. Barr
In our lives, change is unavoidable, loss is unavoidable. In the adaptability and ease with which we experience change, lies our happiness and freedom – Buddha
