I’m not a serial social media consumer. I don’t spend countless hours posting nor reading feeds. My main reason for participating is to offer solutions, share different ways of seeing the world and ultimately light the way for hope, especially for those who may not be part of a tribe or community that they can count on.
In this context, I’d like to offer some ideas as to how we can maintain equanimity and a positive outlook during these uncertain times.
This too shall pass. Life is an ebb and flow of change, nothings remains forever.
Talk and hang around positive-minded and solution-oriented individuals.
Focus on helping others. Do you have a shut-in neighbor who could possibly use a friendly and reassuring face or conversation?
Trust that the best in people comes out during times of crisis. I had a situation this morning when a driver gave me the right of way with a friendly smile, when he didn’t have to.
Conflict and contrast are needed in order for us to grow and improve. Without problems there are no solutions. Difficult situations help us to evolve, grow and change.
Be a selective and wise consumer of online content. Rely on personal experience not opinions.
Remember that media is in the business of putting out content. It doesn’t have to be the truth. It doesn’t have to be factual. It just has to be consumed. Information can be manipulated by those who stand to gain. The insurance industry thrives on anxiety, despair and dread. What better way to sell, sell, sell than to appeal to people’s fears.
Let me give you an example. I just returned from 2 months in Spain and France. We didn’t see anyone wearing masks, talking about the virus, no one showing symptoms, no lines at grocery stores, no cancellation of appointments, nada. While I was there, no one talked about it.
Meanwhile, back in the U.S. as I stood in line this morning to buy groceries at my retailer, 28 miles from New York city, besides the obvious inflated crowds and several empty shelves, a lady began to argue with me that she knows better about what is going on in those countries because she heard it in the news… how sad… I’m not saying the C-virus isn’t there, I’m just saying make an opinion based on personal experience.
Pandemic viruses and bacteria have been around for millennia. Take the Black Death, Bubonic Plague or other toll taking diseases and note that, while unfortunately they took many lives, the majority lived through them.
The human body is a bag of viruses and bacteria. We’ve had pandemic diseases in the past. I venture to say that the real killer is stress, negative thoughts and fear.
While the Internet has streamlined and, for many, made our lives easier the danger is that it can also hype up or magnify a problem, a lie or an agenda in a globally connected world.
The Corona Virus is great test of our discernment and character. I ask myself, am I being an alarmist or a positive influencer? How am I helping in these uncertain times?
If all you have to offer someone is a positive outlook, you’ve given them the greatest gift of all: hope.
Follow those who have shown composure during times of crisis. Act on logic, not emotion.
Begin your day by making a mental list of all that you’re grateful for before looking at your newsfeed.
Do what is necessary to remain safe and healthy but ask yourself, are you acting on fear or fact? Clearly, I believe in a common- sense approach and reducing the chances of contraction. This includes maintaining a clean mostly green diet, exercise, balanced with self-awareness, spirituality and surrounding myself with friends that are healthy of body, mind and soul.
Turn to your inner self for answers and comfort during times of uncertainty.
When you’re feeling uptight, close your eyes take at least 6 long slow deep breaths and remind yourself that your natural state is that of well-being.
Stay away from naysayers.
Keep your spirits up. Do things that inspire you and make you happy. Take up an interest you may have left behind.
Spend more time with your loved ones.
Now is a good time to catch up on a book you’ve been wanting to read or start the one you’ve been wanting to write. Take care of matters you’ve been putting off.
Spend time doing a little soul searching, re-evaluating priorities and taking on purposeful activities. How can you better invest your time, energy and gifts so you don’t have to go on endless vacations from your life?
Think out of the box. How you can turn today’s situation into impactful positive change.
For example, our youngest son pointed out last night that there are countless people without health insurance who are seriously concerned about what will happen should they come down with C-virus. Now is a great time for venture capitalists, philanthropists and idea promoters to come up with ways to offer affordable health insurance for all.
While we make the best and figure this out, I practice common sense actions like:
Sanitize or wash hands with hot water and soap throughout the day especially when handling food or if you’ve been out and about.
Refrain from attending group gatherings. Work remotely.
Keep distance from anyone showing flu-like symptoms.
Use tissues or towels to open doors, sneeze, etc. and dispose/wash them afterward.
Together, we’ll get through this time in history, look back one day and know that we learned something new. Call me PollyAnna, if you wish, but my real name is Roxana. Look up what it means.