Maintaining An Up Attitude When you are Down with Covid

November 14, 2020Leave a comment

The corona virus wasn’t exactly on my game plan for November, but I’m now keenly aware that I am not in control of these things. When my husband tested positive for Covid, and I tested negative, I thought I was better and stronger than the Corona Virus. But then…three days later, my symptoms started showing up. Achy body, chills and a general feeling of yuckiness mixed with a slight cough and shortness of breath. It all seemed to overtake my body at once.

Still thinking I was slightly invincible, I said to myself, I’ll be over this in just a few days and back to normal. On Day 12 of general misery and malaise, I realized that although I wanted this to be a microwave type of sickness, for me it was more like a slow cooker. I know it hits everyone differently, some do have quick recoveries, but others have a longer and more bumpy road.

So how do you stay positive in the midst of the virus that you didn’t plan for yourself? Here are a few ways that I found to stay upbeat during this down time.

Develop a new daily routine. Pre-covid, I had a delightful daily routine that included a long walk, shower, quiet time and then jumping into work stuff. Well, the routine changed. Those wonderful long walks were out the window, and I wasn’t able to even think about work. So I adjusted and came up with a new daily routine. Routines give us a sense of peace and regularity in a highly irregular time. So my new routine included a cup of hot tea each morning, then sitting by the fire and reading and taking a long, hot shower in the afternoon. We can discover joy and peacefulness in the simplicity of a new and temporary schedule.
Find one thing you can do. I’ve always said I wanted more time to read – well, now I have it! For me, reading brings me great satisfaction and makes me smile. It’s the one thing I can do while resting and recuperating . What about you? Maybe you enjoy watching movies or funny videos on YouTube or drawing and sketching or doing Sudoku. It’s good and healing to engage in something that brings you a degree of happiness during this time.
Get some fresh air and sunshine each day. Part of my daily routine is to sit out in the sunshine on my back porch. Just 20 minutes of some hearty Vitamin D, not only lifts my spirits, but also gives a boost to my immune system. Wide open space and fresh air can do a world of good for our attitudes. In fact, studies show that nature has an uplifting effect on our sense of well-being. If you don’t have a place to go outside, try to sit by a window where the sunlight pours into the room. If it is not too cold outside, open a window and allow some fresh air to flow. Even if it is raining, you can open a window or sit on a covered porch while listening and observing God’s beautiful creation.
Stay connected with family and friends. We all need the love and support of those we hold dear. Take a moment each day to connect with someone who is genuinely encouraging to your heart. Whether through text or facetime and phone call, we need the joy of connectedness through loving relationships. And I’m not talking about social media connection, I’m talking about real bonds with family and friends. Now certainly be mindful of the rest you need and don’t wear yourself thin by talking to others, but on the other hand, don’t allow yourself to become isolated. Be vulnerable enough to invite several people into your life as cheerleaders and a form of emotional support.
Pray. Every affliction, every challenge, every obstacle in our lives is an opportunity to recognize our need for the Lord. The long recovery from Covid can be an important time to look upward and renew our devotion to the Lord. Pray for healing. Pray for God to begin to show you things that may need to change in your life after you recover. Pray for wisdom and a desire to live a life that honors Him. Remember, no matter how lonely this journey may seem, you are not alone. Seek Him. May this be a time for each of us to reflect on life and draw closer to Him.

Whether you are dealing with Covid or know someone who is, there are positive steps you can take. If you are a friend or family member of a homebound covid patient, reach out to them and reassure them that you are there for them. My daughters’ daily calls just to check in meant the world to me. My friends who reached out to bring a meal or drop off a smoothie, lifted my spirits. What a sweet time for all of us to care for one another. We will get through this as we love and serve together, and as we look to Jesus as our source of comfort and strength.

Photo by Zohre Nemati on Unsplash

Someone is Going to Be Disappointed

November 2, 2020Leave a comment

As I write this blog on the day before Election Day, I have no idea what the outcome will be. The one thing I do know is that roughly half the country will be very disappointed. So how do we handle discouraging circumstances in a Christ-like way? How do we bounce back after a major disappointment? Let’s look at three ways we can experience resilience when we don’t win.

Realize that God Has a Bigger Plan and Purpose. When we face a discouragement in life, it’s easy to think that all is lost and our lives will never be the same. To be honest, sometimes things do change and they change for the worse, but that doesn’t mean that God is incapable of using even the worst of circumstances for a greater good. The Bible is clear that God is sovereign and His ways are unfathomable. He is able to take even the most dreaded of situations (the cross) and bring redemption and restoration through them.

Respond Without Regrets. No matter what happens, we have a responsibility at followers of Christ to reflect His heart. We must respond as people who have faith in an all-knowing God, and not as those filled with fear and anger. We are people of hope, and we must show hope to the world around us. Our hope is that God will do more than we ask or imagine beyond what we see in front of us. So what does a healthy response look like? Kindness, love and respect for our neighbors. Humility and prayer for our country. Trust in a God who is bigger than our disappointment.

Recognize There Are Still Reasons to be Thankful. In this month of Thanksgiving we need to reflect and focus on those things for which we can give thanks. And there are plenty! Sometimes we need to look a little deeper and be more thoughtful, but we can always find a reason to be grateful. Start a thankfulness journal this month – even if you are not a journaler. I’ve never been a journaler myself, but I do write down a list of at least five things I’m thankful for each morning. It changes our perspective and outlook and helps us see that God is at work. It reminds us that He is using even the difficulties in life to bring truth and light into a dark world.

No matter what the outcome, each of us can experience victory and strength as we deepen our faith and trust in our all-knowing God. Instead of being fearful and angry, turn your heart and mind upwards and remember that God is on His throne. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of disappointment is that it can bring us to a stronger reliance on Him and a deeper life of prayer.

Go Vote (if you haven’t already), and draw close to the Lord in prayer.

Calming Ideas for Frazzled Moms

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020Leave a comment

Will school start in person or online? Will you be homeschooling or going back to work or juggling the two? As a mom, you may feel at wit’s end right now with so many unanswered questions. Today’s blog offers you a few points of encouragement as you juggle your continually shifting responsibilities.

When you feel overwhelmed, remember the Stop Method

Step away from the source of frustration

Take several deep, relaxing breaths

Objectively think about how to wisely handle the situation (reengage your brain)

Pray for God’s help, strength & direction

Creating a Peace-filled Environment

Develop simple daily routines (Example: breakfast, reading time, play time, lunch, naptime, craft time, tv time, dinner, Bible stories, bath bed)
Start each day with Gratitude (thank the Lord for 3 things)
Play with your kids instead of working against them – laugh, enjoy, create, sing, color, build a fort, have fun!
Watch shows and movies together
Play peaceful music – having the tv on all the time creates stress
Limit screen time for you and your kids –studies show frustration/anger is elevated when parents are focused on their phone more than their kids.
Get outdoors into God’s wonderful creation, go for family walks
Have naptime every day for you and your kids – we all need a break
Read books, pray and sing silly songs together

Take care of yourself personally – Set aside a little time now and then to stay connected with positive friends through calls or texts. Again, guard against constantly being on your phones as it will only add more stress to your life. If you need a break, see if a family member can help watch the kids while you take a break.

You Can Do Something Positive

April 6, 2020Leave a comment

Young african woman smiling at sunset

Perhaps you are feeling a little antsy right now. Perhaps that’s an understatement. You’ve watched all your favorite movies, cleaned out every junk drawer and taken your dog on three walks a day. Maybe you are wishing that you could do something – anything – meaningful. The good news is, each of us can find one positive thing to do to help others.

Selfless acts lift our spirits and help us fell as sense of purposefulness. We may not be able to solve all the world’s problems, but we can do small acts of kindness in our own sphere of influence. Here are some creative ideas gleaned from people around me that may spur you on to love and good deeds:

Several friends are using their sewing abilities to make face masks for health care workers and individuals.
Others are gathering groceries and leaving them on the doorstep of those who need help or have lost their jobs.
Some are making a deliberate effort to write at least one note a day to uplift the heart of another.
In my world, I help direct an organization calledEngage Positive Parenting Initiative. Since we serve parents in under-resourced areas, my team has joined together to assemble family fun packs filled with snacks and activities to encourage and help homebound parents.
One thing that all of us can and should do each day is fall to our knees and pray. There is a true sense of peace we experience when we sincerely go to the Lord on behalf of others. Ask God to comfort the hurting and bring hope to those in despair. Pray for our leaders and the healthcare workers and first responders. Pray for an effective vaccine to be developed quickly. Pray for those who are sick and dying here and around the world. Ask God to show you what you can do and who you should reach out to using the gifts He has given you.

Yes, everyone can do something positive! When we do these simple acts of love, we bring joy into our own environment as well as the world around us. Stay Calm. Stay Kind. Stay Strong.

Maintaining an Up Attitude During Down Times

March 23, 2020Leave a comment

Rich young woman wear gown open curtains stand at window

Here in Dallas we have been ordered to “Shelter in Place,” but that doesn’t mean we have to step away from joy and happiness. We can still open the curtains and let the sun shine into our lives. How do we stay upbeat when we feel downtrodden? Here a few ways to invite a little sunshine to brighten your days.

Give Thanks Every Morning. Things may seem gloomy, but you can always find reasons to be thankful – you just need to look a little bit harder. Thank the Lord that you can still go on a walk. You can still hear the birds chirping, and see the spring flowers blooming. Daily write down at least five blessings that you experienced in the last 24 hours.

Listen to Uplifting Music. Music can soothe the soul. The other day (before we were quarantined) I was at a friend’s house, and we sat down at the piano and sang hymns together. It was rejuvenating! Be deliberate about finding songs that strengthen, encourage and inspire you. Listen to them often and play them for your family. While doing the 20-second handwash thing, sing a praise song. “Oh How I Love Jesus” is my go-to handwashing song.

Play the Glad Game. When you feel like complaining, turn it around to consider what you can be glad about instead. You may feel frustrated about the fact that you can’t go out with friends, but you can be glad about the fact that we live in a day when you can facetime or conference call one another. Replace every complaint with something that makes you glad.

Take Time to Pray. I know we all talk about praying, but do we actually do it? I encourage you to find a quiet place and time that you can get on your knees and cast your cares to Almighty God. Seek His guidance and wisdom as you face these challenging times. Find your solace in this sweet time of prayer. Pray for those who are sick around the world and the healthcare workers who care for them. Be much with God in the quiet places as well as throughout your day.

Do Kind Acts for Others. We may be confined, but we can still show love. What about calling or texting those who are lonely? Write notes to neighbors, family and friends to let them know you are thinking about them. Drop off groceries (or toilet paper) to those who are in need. Be a source of kindness and encouragement on social media and in your neighborhood. Possibly the most important acts of kindness you can show during this time is letting go of resentment and anger toward others.

Guard your thought-life and do not let your mind ruminate on the worries and what-ifs. Live wisely and thoughtfully but not fearfully. This can be a positive time, but we make it a negative one if we live with selfishness and/or anxiety. Let’s inhale God’s peace and exhale needless fear as we walk together though this time. May we each turn our minds upward to make the best of each day that we have here on earth.