Don’t Lose Your Joy

It is so easy to get overwhelmed and feel like we are being held under the water struggling to breath during this time of craziness. The unknown of what tomorrow or even later today can bring leaves a dazed look in many a person’s eye and an unneeded tension. I see so many quotes, so many memes about which is going to get me first, the virus or depression. Depression is such an easy hole to get sucked down into, to feel lost at the bottom looking for the light above, but seeing nothing. It is so hard to crawl out of the pit over and over again, but we have to. We have to fight tooth and nail being dragged into the pit and when in the darkness as well. If we fight, we become stronger. When we become stronger we can put up more of a fight. It’s almost like a circle there… We may get shaken up, battered and bruised, but we still rise and we still fight. We are resilient and resilience never gives up no matter how hard the journey or how deep the hole. Sometimes that is easier said than done, but we have to try. We can’t stop trying, even if some days everything feels like a losing battle. Please remember that is just that day, that is just that moment. Those rough and dark moments do not dictate the rest of our lives. The sun will shine and rise again, and we all will try again! AND if you think about it even the darkest nights have glimmers of lights in the brightest stars. Hold fast to your joy, hold it in that precious place and know that this all will get better.

A huge way to not lose your joy and positivity during this time is letting go of things you cannot control. There is so much in the situation we are all in now that we cannot control. You cannot control how others react to this situation. You cannot control how long this will last. You cannot control the toilet paper shortage… The list goes on and on of all the things you cannot control. If we focus on those aspects we get overwhelmed. We get stressed and depressed and struggle feeling bogged down by all the craziness going on around us. Instead we need to let those things go, let go of what we cannot control and focus on the things we can! Focus on how you yourself are reacting to this situation. Focus on turning off the news more to avoid a lot of fear mongering and craziness. Focus on fun things to do around the house… The list goes on here as well. When we focus on the things we can achieve, and when we achieve them we feel accomplished! We feel positive that each little step will lead us to that end goal and towards the light again. Us all doing our small part leads to a bigger complete circle where we ALL have worked together.

Remember to be kind to EVERYONE around you. We are all going through this together. We are all struggling in different ways, in different aspects of our lives. Our normal way of life has been turned completely upside down. Speak kindly, think kindly, be kind. Avoid bashing others and gossiping. There is already so much negativity and fear in our world already why add more? Why not instead be that light, be that anchor, be that difference that reaches out to see that others are okay. We may not be able to be with friends physically, but that doesn’t mean we can’t call or text them to make sure they are doing alright. That doesn’t mean we can’t send our friends cute pieces of mail to let them know we are thinking of them. That doesn’t mean we can’t tag them in social media posts and share amazing memories and make plans for when this is all over. Be there for others! We are all stronger when we are united. No one should ever feel like not only are they afraid of what is going on in the world, but ashamed because they are being attacked for being themselves. So reach out with kindness. Our world needs all the kindness if can get at the moment.

In all of this speak kindly to yourself as well! Don’t forget about yourself. There are probably a lot of thoughts whirling around in your brain not giving you much respite or relief. Don’t beat yourself up. Give yourself grace and give yourself love. We often are so quick to give those to others, but then don’t think we ourselves are worth that and/or put ourselves on the back burner. STOP! Take a deep breath and hold it, then let it out gently.. and then repeat. Center yourself and start again… Whenever those negative thoughts or unkind words start sneaking into your head and overwhelming you do that…. Recenter and remember that this is an odd time we are going through and we are all only human. You yourself included… You give grace to others around you why would you not give yourself the same?

During this time we need to really remember our faith is bigger than any fear out there. Do not let the fear of the unknown, the fear of what tomorrow will bring, etc. overwhelm and outweigh your faith. Your faith could be in that higher power, your faith could be in the bigger picture and plan, your faith could be in whatever gets you through the rough and hard times. For me my faith is in God. I know He has me, He has all of us in His hands. He has a plan for all of this. It is scary, and it is sad, but I’m not going to let the fear of the unknown drive me away from Him. Instead I have been using this time to allow me to draw closer to Him… To lean on him even more during this time. Start each morning with Him, end each day with Him, and reach out to Him whenever you are struggling. I like reading my bible each morning to start the day out right. To find that verse in the scriptures that makes me smile and one I can hold onto during the rest of the day. There are moments of fear of course during the day, but if we combat those and answer back with prayer or meditation the fear will go away. Prayer and meditation will help us become stronger humans as well and will help us get through these trying times. They are our anchors, our life lines. Use them and help them support you, and pull you out of the pit of fear, depression, and despair.

These are just a few ways to stay positive and keep your joy during this time when normal has been turned upside down…. The most important things to remember though during this time is to give kindness, to give grace to others and yourselves, and to give love. Love endures all things and love never fails. Remember that! Love NEVER fails.

S’Agapo