Well, I’m sure most of us have just about had it with this whole COVID-19 pandemic. Closed-up, locked-down, restricted, forbidden to move freely, forced to not congregate, recommended wardrobe adjustments and on and on we could go. How are we all supposed to navigate such unprecedented chaos?
The following are just a few of my thoughts:
My 4 F’s of COVID-19 survival:
1. FAMILY! There is something about the ability to reach out in some way and connect with those most dear to us. My oldest son (Josh) and his wife and kids (Bree, Justice and Isaiah) were comfortably resting in Costa Rica when the whole pandemic broke out. They seriously considered waiting it out down there, but we are so thankful they decided to return home and did so just prior to the countries locking down. For all of us as family members, this is the perfect time to reach out, stay connected or perhaps re-connect and rekindle a long-awaited reconciliation. “Blood is thicker than water”, and maybe that is why some family relationships get so damaged. Emery Counseling can assist.
2. FUN: I don’t know about you, but I am determined to maintain as much of my life and routine as I can possibly do in a safe and somewhat cautious manner. As it relates to “social distancing” I decided one day last week to jump on the Harley and take a 3hour ride and every time any vehicle got too close to me, I would appropriately “speed-up”. A perfect way to stay 6’ away-just go faster!! After all, my license plate reads: “THERAPY”
Part of having fun is encouraging LAUGHTER. I so appreciate all my facebook friends providing me with such amazing humor like crazy pictures, 8pm “howling”, homemade games, jokes, one liners, cartoons and even humor I shouldn’t repeat, but will definitely “split a gut over” KEEP LAUGHING, IT’S GOOD FOR THE SOUL!!
3. FRIENDS: Lately I have had the greatest time maintaining friendships in such unique, awkward and yet meaningful ways. Like talking to a friend over the fence (6’ tall, does that count as social distancing?) Reaching out to some of my old college teammates/classmates has been very rewarding as it seems we are all now even more concerned for one another’s well- being. This has proven to be a very appropriate time to check-in with friendships from grade school to college and beyond. I reached out to my old college freshman roommate to just say hi and check to see how he and his family were doing during this crises and his response was encouraging to me: Gary, thanks for checking on me, you have always had such a good heart.
I was not fishing for that , but it made my day. REACH OUT-DO IT NOW!
4. FAITH: You knew this was coming. Regardless of your belief system, you must admit that at a time such as this, having faith and hope in something besides social distancing, isolation, face masks and various medicines might very well provide some solace. At the most anxiety producing time of our entire lives globally, bowing our knees to the creator and handing off some if not all the anxiety produced by all this chaos, seems like a more viable plan. Listen to what Apostle Peter wrote in I Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”. NIV. Proverbs 12:25 states: “An anxious heart weighs a man down.” Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.” I don’t know about you, but these verses from the Bible bring me great comfort and peace in this very unstable time in our history.
So, if you are struggling in any way due to the Virus or any other issue and need a good set or sets of ears, Emery Counseling ifs open for business, even if it is by video chat. Give us a call (970) 490-1309 or visit our website: https://www.emerycounseling.com