By Tami
Version Español
If my memory serves me correctly, one month ago today is when schools were closed down in Michigan. ONE MONTH people!! We have survived and we will continue to survive, undoubtedly utilizing just about every single coping mechanism known to man. Chocolate, alcohol, meditation, exercise, dance parties, you name it! Some have done brave and heroic things to reach out while others have resorted to posting random videos online (guilty).
I have read every gamut of sentiments, from sadness to disbelief, from venting to lamenting, from thanksgiving to positivity. Some choose to challenge the systems and our leaders, some choose to accept them, others choose to disobey them.
I admit that I have been trying to keep positive throughout this whole ordeal. I do not claim to be some Mary Poppins where life is all peaches and cream. I have had some VERY tough moments. My kids quite frequently drive me bonkers. My husband and I quite frequently lose our patience. I even broke down because I made a huge effort to put all the kids to bed early so I could run out for groceries and when I got there the store was closed.
But instead of focusing on these moments, instead of joining the ranks of complaints, I have decided not to post about these things. Venting may make us feel better for approximately 30 seconds but it does little to help anyone else.
So I would like to resurrect the old adage, the well-known cliche, that “Life is what you make of it.” Our psyche, our attitude is SOOOO powerful, and remaining positive during this time is essential to our own well-being and that of all our loved ones.
After a whole month, most of us are getting stir crazy, bored, restless, lazy, desperate for this to be over. I’m right there with ya. But I would like to extend a challenge:
- Get up at the same time every morning just as you would if you were getting the kids to school or going to work. GET DRESSED. I don’t care if you put on yoga pants, but get dressed. Brush your teeth and your hair. Take a shower every day.
- Instead of pondering whether or not this is the new normal or if we will ever return to normal, we must create for ourselves some kind of normalcy. We are still human beings with worth and dignity.
- Set goals for yourself each day. Sure, the goal may be to fold 3 baskets of laundry, clean the kitchen or get through one day without your kids biting each others’ heads off, but these are good and worthy goals right now.
- Do one special thing each day that you will look forward to. Make yourself a homemade triple mocha latte. Go for a run. Get groceries (if you enjoy shopping). Take turns giving back rubs. Watch something that will make you laugh (or cry if you’d like). Do a creative art project or craft. If you’re a neat freak like I am, organize one small area of your house each day. Get rid of excess stuff. Make your own list of things you love to do and DO THEM.
And most of all, rely totally and completely on God. I will in no way attempt to over-spiritualize this stark reality, but truth is truth. The only ONE that has gotten you through ONE MONTH is God and He is the only One who will get us through the next one, two or three months (or years).
So gather all the gumption you have within you and make a deliberate choice to remain positive, using all the tools at your disposal to do so.
We have God and we have each other. WE CAN DO THIS!!