Principle #1 – Tap into Your Fun Quotient
Do you remember what you did last year? Did you have fun, or was it just a year of negative thoughts and feelings? Our country was in lockdown due to COVID. This deadly disease had total control over the world. Most of us were following the health guidelines, and we worked together to flatten the curve. Time dragged on, but when I look back, it seemed to pass in a blur. This is a new year, with another set of issues for our country and even for ourselves. We all have control of how we want to live, and I am dedicated to renewing my soul and taking control of my life. I’m ready to have fun and make new memories.
My husband and I ran errands last week. We started at Lowes Home Improvement to buy seasonal flowers and had lunch on the patio of our favorite restaurant. We finished our errands by getting a coffee at Starbucks. It felt so normal! As we were sitting in the drive-through line at Starbucks, I was trying to remember what flowers I planted in the flowerpots on my deck last year. I don’t even know if I got flowers last year. It’s hard to remember what I did last spring because we were in lockdown and stuck in a time warp. I don’t remember what I did last summer either (this kind of sounds like a bad movie).
I remember homeschooling my grandson and being scared and anxious about the pandemic and the craziness from the past administration. And I remember the sadness of the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests for racial justice and equality.
Last year wasn’t all negative. Many of us pulled together to help others by buying groceries and donating food. We checked on our family and neighbors. And celebrated our healthcare heroes during their shift change.
Reflecting on last year is kind of like a cleansing for me. I appreciate what our country and I have been through. We were incredibly resilient. Believe me, I had my doubts at the time. But now…I’m able to let it all go and move forward. There will always be challenges, but I am reacting to them differently. I know what is healthy for me and my mental health. This year is going to be different because I’m choosing to make it different. I’m choosing happy and fun!
My grandson informed me yesterday that there are only 32 days left of school. He was so excited! I asked him what he would like to do during his summer break. He said, “Mammy, I get to come to your house every day, and play!” We plan on making fun memories to remember next year and the year after that.
“The best gifts in the world are not material objects one can buy from the store, but in the memories, we make with the people we love.” – Amanda Boyarshinov, author
Our country is still healing after the killing of George Floyd. The guilty verdicts of the police officer who killed him can help this healing process. It is a beginning, and I hope that we can now move towards the systemic changes necessary for all of our families, especially families of color, to be treated justly and equally under the law. All people deserve fair treatment.
“Healing does not mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives.” – Unknown
The pandemic is still here, but vaccines are available to help us stop the spread so we can resume our lives. Please, please, please get your vaccine. Every one of us has a part to play in this global health crisis. If you don’t want to protect yourself, get vaccinated to protect a loved one.
My husband is fully vaccinated, and I’ve had my first vaccine. I get my second shot next week and will be fully protected in three weeks. This opens up a lot of possibilities. But we will always take precautions to protect ourselves by wearing facemasks and staying away from crowds.
There will always be challenges in our lives. Challenges that we may not have control over. But how we react to them is totally our choice. Won’t you join my grandson and me, and choose happy and fun? I’m ready to make memories to remember for a lifetime.
Freedom is possible!
Love,
Deb