Listen to your heart.

How are you coping with this “new normal”? Some of you are working harder than ever and others are not – at all, or in very different ways. These circumstances overturn the hourglass and we have no choice but to journey through the narrow spot. Things have changed. Are you able to say, “Yes, this has happened…And now what?” and come up with possibilities for resiliently facing the new arrangement in our sand?

Is your head racing with questions of how?and why? We would do well to listen with our hearts and know that we will move forward – slowly perhaps, but surely. For now, stay healthy, wash your hands, do not touch your face and practice social distancing.

As we all get used to “social distancing”, let us not forget the importance of social connection. It is the currency of well-being. Now might just be a good time to make a list of all the things you do in your life – and the people with whom you engage in those activities.* Then ask yourself, “If I only have $100 of energy in a day – no saving account from yesterday – no pocket to stick anything in for tomorrow – how would I spend my money?” This exercise helps to set priorities for the future and provides an experience of personal power when we can act on those priorities and let go of what or who needs to no longer appear on the list. We will get to choose.

With all of the communication that is flooding your inbox, I thought I would share this as well:

These are very unusual times.

We’re all facing our fears.
More now than ever.
People trampling others for Purell.
It’s all-consuming work to stay grounded.
Who are you becoming?
You may feel isolated.
Anxious.
Lonely.
You’re not.
We’re here for each other.
When we listen.
When we lead.
When in our hearts, we’re citizens of the world.
It’s important to have real conversations with a friend.
That’s part of self-care now.
Replenish and recharge yourself.
Clean your phone.
Then use it for FaceTime.
You’re a beacon of light shining through pandemic darkness.
Inspire others.
To communicate.
To be smart.
To reduce risk.
To be helpful.
To allay fear.
To shine.
~ Dr. Steven Eisenburg

*This idea came from Finding Your Way: Families and the Cancer Experience: A Guidebook by Gail A. Noller – Out of print, but well worth the effort to find it, if possible.