I don’t care what your party, your belief, or your lifestyle may be. All I know is that ever since the last election, most people seem to be going through life like a partially deflated balloon, not strong enough to soar, nor empty enough to stay grounded!
Everyone is worried, scared even, and everyone hopes that some sense will be returned to our world. The sad fact is, that won’t happen. The way things are, peace has to come from within and at the moment that appears to be the only way it’ll come.
I have planned a few simple rules to help me get through the days, and they seem to work. So I’ve decided to share them and hope this helps someone out there.
A- Be a little creative each day. You don’t have to be an artist to do this. Do something in a different way than how you are used to doing it. A couple of weeks ago, when our power went out for eleven hours, I made coffee in a pot, on the gas stove, and felt really good about it. When my roses finished, I made a bouquet out of weeds and shrubs. Life has taught me that while big changes are wonderful, little changes can also make a difference.
B- The next time you feel utterly helpless, try to reach out to someone who is even more helpless than you are. Trust me, they are around. All you need to do is look harder. True as it may be that this will take a chunk out of your time, in the end it will give you the kind of pleasure that time and money cannot buy.
C- Quit watching the news. If you listen for only 30 minutes to the BBC news – or the Univision, if you know Spanish! – then you’ll know the headline news of the world. The rest, our media tends to repeat until you are ready to scream. Instead, buy your sanity with a little investment in Netflix, Lulu, HBO, or Amazon. You’ll be amazed what a good comedy such as “The Fluffy” can do to lift your spirit!
D- If it rains/snows where you are, dress warmly, go out anyway, and stare at the sky for a few minutes. That’s the best way for your body to absorb some UV /happy rays. Trust me, it works, even on a cloudy day.
E- Spend some time organizing, house cleaning, and throwing away unwanted junk. I have already started my cleaning for the Persian New Year – it’ll be on March 20th – and this comes from a person who is nowhere near OCD!
F- Avoid political discussions unless you intend to lose a few good friends. Remember, we all have our flaws!
More to come, but this should give you a a place to start. For a good, meaningful read, try The Little Prince, AGAIN! And for answers to serious questions, go to Dr. Seuss. That’s why I am closing with a few words from my undying hero:
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
― Dr. Seuss