Keep Moving Forward
Sometimes we need to reduce our lives to the least common denominator in order to see what is really important so that we can keep moving forward.
I wrote the above sentence over eight years ago. It was from a blog post that I intended to write but never finished published. Funny enough, this seems like the most appropriate time to address it. Right now it absolutely feels like my life has been reduced to the least common denominator. I imagine other people must feel the same way being that we are in this social distancing phase and many of the distracting things we use to do are somewhat off-limits.
Right now, I work, eat, and sleep. Oh and I watch a lot of television and/or streaming. I will admit that I find myself taking a trip to Walmart or Publix just to have something different to do. In doing so, I start thinking about all the things I should be doing or all the things I could be doing. Am I wasting time?
When COVID social distancing first started, I was a nervous wreck. I immersed myself in the news of what was happening. Obsessed over the tracking of the virus as well as the death rates. Even more so, I found myself trying to convince conspiracy theorists of the true gravity of the situation. I was all over social media crusading for empathy and the greater good. It was exhausting and nerve-wracking. I had to take a step back.
It is essential that I turn that energy towards the things I actually could affect. I decided to focus on what I could do like strengthening my relationships with my family and friends. I decided to make sure that I was prepared to shelter in place and educate those that would listen on the importance of social distancing to protect those that we love. I decided to do my best at work which proved to be more demanding because of what was happening around us.
These were the things that I could control. With that being said, the removal of social outlets that I would normally engage in is something that we all have to deal with. I decided that I also had to focus on what made me happy. I had to take it back to the basics and look within for those things that naturally brought me joy. Take this time to break down your life and see what makes you tick.
I am aware that some people are dealing with unparalleled stress because they have not had to face a situation where their livelihood is in jeopardy. Do not get ahead of yourself or the situation. Remember to take it one day at a time and then one week at a time. We are still alive and therefore there is still a way to make it. We are still able to smile and laugh, even through difficult times. We still have to breathe through it all in order to deal with these hardships.
I wrote the above sentence over eight years ago. It was from a blog post that I intended to write but never finished published. Funny enough, this seems like the most appropriate time to address it. Right now it absolutely feels like my life has been reduced to the least common denominator. I imagine other people must feel the same way being that we are in this social distancing phase and many of the distracting things we use to do are somewhat off-limits.
Lead a simple life. First reduce your greed. Then reduce your need. -Ritu Ghatourey |
When COVID social distancing first started, I was a nervous wreck. I immersed myself in the news of what was happening. Obsessed over the tracking of the virus as well as the death rates. Even more so, I found myself trying to convince conspiracy theorists of the true gravity of the situation. I was all over social media crusading for empathy and the greater good. It was exhausting and nerve-wracking. I had to take a step back.
It is essential that I turn that energy towards the things I actually could affect. I decided to focus on what I could do like strengthening my relationships with my family and friends. I decided to make sure that I was prepared to shelter in place and educate those that would listen on the importance of social distancing to protect those that we love. I decided to do my best at work which proved to be more demanding because of what was happening around us.
These were the things that I could control. With that being said, the removal of social outlets that I would normally engage in is something that we all have to deal with. I decided that I also had to focus on what made me happy. I had to take it back to the basics and look within for those things that naturally brought me joy. Take this time to break down your life and see what makes you tick.
I am aware that some people are dealing with unparalleled stress because they have not had to face a situation where their livelihood is in jeopardy. Do not get ahead of yourself or the situation. Remember to take it one day at a time and then one week at a time. We are still alive and therefore there is still a way to make it. We are still able to smile and laugh, even through difficult times. We still have to breathe through it all in order to deal with these hardships.
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