6 minute read
Finding Cheer During Difficult Times
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing
Let’s face it. These days, emotions are running high. And understandably so. In a society where we are used to Googling how to do life—e.g., “How to build a bird cage” or “How to get in shape,” we are suddenly at a loss since we can’t exactly type into a search engine, “How to navigate a COVID-19 existence.”
Because we have entered unchartered territories, we may alternate between moments of feeling fine and moments of total terror. Just so you know, if you awake in the wee hours of the morning thinking, “I don’t know what to do,” “I don’t know what to think,” or “I don’t know how to live,” you are totally normal. And that’s because our world suddenly feels inside out and backward. When we run into someone we know out in public, we can no longer greet them with a handshake or a hug. That feels odd. And when someone has passed away, we aren’t allowed to attend the funeral to console the mourning. That’s also sad and unsettling.
When the coronavirus spiraled into our world like an F5 tornado, it wreaked havoc on life as we knew it. I don’t think that any of us conceived of the day when schools would shut down, followed by churches, restaurants, gyms, doctor’s offices, beaches, parks, movie theaters, retail stores, barbers, hair salons, amusement parks. We didn’t anticipate concerts, sporting events, parties and even the Magic Maker itself, Disney World, halting indefinitely. On top of that, in the blink of an
eye, we suddenly went from shopping with abandon to feeling uneasy partaking in completely mundane tasks like pumping gas and cruising the aisles of a grocery store.
As we tiptoe back into safely resuming normal life, let’s give each other grace, kindness and the benefit of the doubt. The “we’re all in this together” mantra is meant to remind us that although we may be feeling lonely, disconnected, scared, frustrated or confused, we are not the
only ones harboring such feelings.
Below are five tips for picking yourself up when you’re feeling down:
Explore nature. Inhaling fresh air, hearing the birds sing and watching the squirrels scamper brings true healing power. In today’s world where we are inundated with disheartening news stories, overwhelming statistics and heated opinions on social media, it’s smart to put down the phone and lace up your shoes. Stepping outside has never been more important.
Connect with a pet or a vet or a jet. Not to get all Dr. Seuss on you, but the point is to try and get your mind off your own worries by focusing on something or someone else. That might mean playing with your dog or cat. It may involve dropping supplies at a VA center. Or it may be looking skyward to enjoy a flyover to boost societal morale. The idea is to get outside your own head, especially if
you tend to perseverate on negative or anxious feelings.
Listen to the music your parents used to play around the house when you were a kid. Trust me, it’s the closest thing you’ll get to a time machine, and transporting yourself back to a happier, simpler headspace is just what the doctor ordered.
Declutter a room. I know it doesn’t sound like fun, and it’s not necessarily fun while you’re in the midst of doing it, but wow — the joy you feel when a space is free of excess is truly exhilarating. Even my 9-year-old, whose room was an unmitigated disaster, admitted that when it was picked up and organized, he felt less oppressed. He even claimed he slept better in a clean room! Make a gratitude journal. In times like these, it’s easy to focus on the losses, the negativity and the things we are missing out on. But a change in focus can quickly shift a gloomy mood. Doing this activity with your spouse or children is a great way to not only bond as a family but acknowledge the many blessings that surround us daily.
miller custom plastics, llc
• Poly Trim • Plastic Cabinets • Plastic Welding • Plastic Mailbox Signs • Plastic Business Signs 12 Colors to choose from plus wood grain plastic options. Great for Outdoor Kitchens & High Moisture areas. Will Not Rot or mold, Easy to Clean. & CONSTRUCTION, LLC
SPECIALIZING IN HIGH QUALITY STEEL ROOFING
Merle & Dorlda Miller 27012 CR 50, Nappanee, IN 46550 574- 773- 0569 | Fax: 574-773-2110
AWARD WINNING THE LAST 4 CONSECUTIVE YEARS!
HURRY IN!HURRY IN! 574-936-1299 • 2127 North Oak Drive | Plymouth banfichfurnitureandmattress.com $ $499 MORRISON Rocking Recliner Rocking Recliner 449 BROOKS LIMITED TIME SAVINGS! HURRY IN! $ $499 MORRISON Rocking Recliner Rocking Recliner 449 BROOKS LIMITED TIME SAVINGS! $ $499 MORRISON Rocking Recliner Rocking Recliner 449 BROOKS LIMITED TIME SAVINGS! $ $499 MORRISON Rocking Recliner Rocking Recliner 449 BROOKS LIMITED TIME SAVINGS! HURRY IN! LIMITED TIME SAVINGS! HURRY IN!
COLLAGE Rocking Recliner
BROOKS Rocking Recliner $449
MORRISON Rocking Recliner $499
$$549 ROWAN Rocking Recliner 399 ASTOR Rocking Recliner $649
ROWAN Rocking Recliner $549
ASTOR Rocking Recliner ROWAN $649 Rocking Recliner ROWAN Rocking Recliner $549ROWAN Rocking Recliner $549 $549
ASTOR Rocking Recliner $649
ASTOR Rocking Recliner $649 Rocking ASTOR Recliner $649
WRAP UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH LAID-BACK PRICES! COLLAGE Rocking Recliner $399COLLAGE Rocking Recliner $399COLLAGE Rocking Recliner $399WRAP UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH LAID-BACK PRICES! COLLAGE Rocking Recliner $399 WRAP UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH LAID-BACK PRICES! WRAP UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH LAID-BACK PRICES! WRAP UP THE HOLIDAYS WITH LAID-BACK PRICES!
LAUREL Sofa $799 $ DILLON Sofa 899 DILLON Sofa $ MEYER Sofa 999 $899 MEYER Sofa $999
LAUREL Sofa $799
DILLON Sofa $899
MEYER Sofa $999
$ Reclining Sofa 999 $ LAUREL Sofa 799 $ TROUPER 1099 Reclining Sofa $ LAUREL Sofa 799 Leather Match Construction $ ROMAN 1599 Reclining Sofa $ DILLON Sofa 899$ DILLON Sofa 899 Leather Match Construction $ MEYER Sofa 999 $ MEYER Sofa 999 POWER AND/OR EASTON CUSHION Reclining Sofa TROUPER Reclining SofaUPGRADES AVAILABLE ON ALL RECLINING STYLES ROMAN Reclining Sofa $999 THIS AREA’S LARGEST $1099 $1599 POWER AND/OR Leather Match ConstructionCUSHION UPGRADES AVAILABLE ON ALL RECLINING STYLESSELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME!
EASTONSOFAS, SECTIONALS, CHAIRS & A WHOLE LOT MORE. Reclining Sofa TROUPER Reclining Sofa ROMAN Reclining Sofa © 2020 La-Z-Boy Incorporated THIS AREA’S LARGEST $ $ $ POWER AND/OR CUSHION UPGRADES AVAILABLE ON ALL RECLINING STYLES 999 1099 1599 SOFAS, SECTIONALS, CHAIRS & A WHOLE LOT MORE. THIS AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME! Leather Match Construction EASTON Reclining Sofa TROUPER ROMANReclining Sofa Reclining Sofa Leather Match Construction $ $ $ EASTON Reclining Sofa 999 TROUPER 1099 ROMAN 1599 Reclining Sofa Reclining Sofa *Genuine leather used on seating, arm and footrest areas matched with high-quality synthetic material on other minimal-wear areas of the furniture. STORE NAME SOFAS, SECTIONALS, CHAIRS & A WHOLE LOT MORE. SELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME! STORE NAME© 2020 La-Z-Boy Incorporated *Genuine leather used on seating, arm and footrest areas matched with high-quality synthetic material on other minimal-wear areas of the furniture. STORE NAME THIS AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY $ $ $ POWER AND/OR CUSHION UPGRADES AVAILABLE ON ALL RECLINING STYLES 999 1099 1599 SOFAS, SECTIONALS, CHAIRS & A WHOLE LOT MORE. THIS AREA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF LA-Z-BOY COMFORT FOR YOUR HOME! POWER AND/OR CUSHION UPGRADES AVAILABLE ON ALL RECLINING STYLES
