Some Wonderful Quotes

     Here are some quotes that are applicable to our times:

Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the one you had before.  You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you've lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that's good.  (Elizabeth Edwards)

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.  (Helen Keller)

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you.  Never excuse yourself.  Never pity yourself.  Be a hard master to yourself -- and be lenient to everybody else.  (Henry Ward Beecher)

The human capacity for burden is like bamboo -- far more flexible than you'd ever believe at first glance.  (Jodi Picoult)

     Have courage, friends.  Peace.

 

Yet Five More Things I've Learned from COVID-19

     Reading the news about how people and leaders react to the COVID-19 pandemic has taught me a few things about human nature.

1.  People can react either out of fear or out of love.  The former buy guns and stockpile supplies, while the latter express gratitude and compassion to others.  Although it's hard at times when things seem so out of control, I try to act out of love as best I can.

2.  In times of crisis, people can turn their fear into anger and aggressiveness.  This manifests as putting blame on other people or countries, being threatening, or turning inward and ignoring the needs of others.  This is an opportunity to pull our fractured nation and world together and work as one.  Let's do that.

3.  Our leaders show their true values in times of crisis.  I've noticed that they either put money and the economy first, or they put people and their wellbeing first.  My personal belief is that you can't have an economy without people, but I suppose there is some merit to the idea that if you have a healthy economy, then people can take care of themselves.  Still, if both the economy and the people are ailing, let's put people first, shall we?

4.  Viruses have no nation, creed, ethnicity, or religion.  It is universal, just as the human soul is.  I think people are coming to the knowledge that we really are all one.

5.  We are living through extraordinary times.  Let's be remembered for rising to the occasion and showing our best selves.  We can overcome this.  We're in this together.

(image courtesy of pixabay.com)

Five More Things I've Learned from COVID-19

     Staying home for days on end can be very trying, especially for an introvert living full-time with others.  Here are some lessons I've learned.

1.  Alone time is essential.  Even if I can't be completely alone in the house, I can still hide in a room, a closet, or in my innermost self through meditation.  I need this.  Every day.

2.  Little things can become big things if we let them.  I've learned it's necessary for my sanity and for peace between peoples if I lighten up and let things slide a bit.  Rather than make a big deal over that irritating mouth sound my Significant Other makes when reading, I can either focus on my breath or I can leave for a while.  Fantasizing about silencing those mouth sounds with a pillow is OK as long as I don't act on it.

3.  People are reaching out more.  I heard from a family member for the first time in a couple of decades and the conversation was quite pleasant.  Perhaps this pandemic has put things in perspective for some people.  I know it has for me.

4.  Gratitude goes a long way.  I find things run much more smoothly at home when I say at least five  "thankyous" for every "please will you . . ".  People like to feel appreciated, not constantly commanded or criticized.

5.  On the rare occasions that I go to the store, I make it a point to thank every worker that I see.  So often treated as if they are invisible, they are heroes in my book.  We both feel better when I take the time to acknowledge that.

(image courtesy of pixabay.com)

Five Things I've Learned from COVID-19

     Like many of you, I am staying home almost all the time, going out only for absolute necessities.  Having to stay home can be both a challenge and a focused way to learn some important lessons.  Here are five that I have learned so far:

1.  Finding toilet paper at the store is like finding a winning lottery ticket.  Even if is not my favorite brand, I am filled with gratitude for finding it.  Who knew that an everyday item could impart such joy?

2.  They say that necessity is the mother of invention.  I learned that not being able to find things I usually buy at the grocery store causes me to try new and . . . interesting . . .  ingredient combinations.

3.  The fur babies are loving having us home more.  Having them cuddle on my lap makes me feel better, too.  They help ground me and bring me comfort in trying times.

4.  Taking time to look at the tree branches swaying in the breeze, to listen to the birds singing, to feel the sun on my face is a result of having the time to do so.  These simple pleasures never felt so good.

5.  It is possible to watch too much TV news or read too much news reports on the internet.  For my sanity, I need to step back and return to the present.  Today is a gift to be treasured.  Who knows what the future may bring?  I may as well enjoy now.

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)