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How do you respond when you receive news you did not want to hear or discover extra obstacles along the way toward a desired path? Your decision of method by which to travel - i.e. what attitude you choose to put forth - will make all the difference in how it all will work out, whether it "works out" or not.
One a very large scale, we have all received the news we never wanted hear which is broadly - we do not know how it will unfold, even though we know that it eventually will. It is in the decision of whether to crumble and focus on the worst and worry or the decision to strive forward navigating ever more diligently and thoughtfully around obstacles we never thought we would have to confront that will determine the outcome for
our lives.
While we will, as with anything in life, never entirely be able to precisely and concretely be assured of the outcome or its arrival regarding any event, we can determine whether life is happening for us or working against us, even though it would be, admittedly, easy to think the latter in our current situation. When we choose to take on the line of thought that what is unfolding is happening for us, it becomes easier to
see the opportunities, to see the good, to see the glimmers, and to therefore, in the short term, to sleep more soundly; and in the long-term, to rebound far more glowingly.
While not one economic downturn looks exactly like ones that have preceded it, I do think it is worth while to look for parallels that will reassure. Depending upon your age and family members that are still in your life, your comparisons will be different, but the parallel I have made is to the Great Recession. Beyond stressed and worried I was, but I chose to go on the offensive during the spring of 2009 and seek out a
back-up job should I happen to lose my teaching job which was looking all the more likely with each passing legislative session. I needed to feel in control of something, so I did what I could. Thankfully, I didn't need the back-up job I was offered, and I continued to teach where I had been gainfully employed for a mere two years, but taking the initiative, no matter how small it was, to do what I could, helped to ease my mind, even if just a miniscule amount.
Each of us is weathering the certain situation in our own unique circumstances, so your "taking the initiative" will be unique to you. But a simple way to steady your nerves is to clearly see what is and what is not in your control and then take the wheel of what you can navigate. No matter how small, from tending to your everyday health habits, improving the organization in your house, deepening the relationship you have with your
loved ones, growing a garden, writing that novel or planning the trip you will be taking next year that had to be postponed so that it might be even better than you imagined it could be, take charge and you will gift yourself with a powerful soothing medicine.
In today's newsletter we escape to Paris for a moment as we plan our spring wardrobe for when we eventually are able to return there even if it will be next spring rather than this spring. Monday's Motivational post shared a theme many readers had asked I dive into - healthy coping skills, and I decided to share some rambling thoughts about what my mind has been up to as we enter our fifth week of staying home. Also, this week's
This & That is bursting with television series to watch and enjoy as well as so much more.
I do hope you enjoy this week's newsletter, and thank you for choosing to subscribe to TSLL's weekly newsletter. Until next week, stay well, and I will see you on the blog.
