Your Comfort Zone
We often stay in our comfort zone no matter how uncomfortable it may really be.
Here’s a favorite quote that’s a reminder to push ourselves through challenges to bring a desired change.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. – Neale Donald Walsch
In order to accomplish anything important and of value requires making changes. Those changes require getting out of what has become our comfort zone. Those changes come with some struggle. Diamonds are not found lying on the ground.
The desired change(s) begin with your decision and commitment to make those changes.
Let’s say you want to get in better shape. You hire a personal trainer to help you do it. The trainer will put you through drills and exercises that you might not like and might not want to do. Those drills will cause some pain and discomfort. When you are done, you are stronger, healthier and better. Could you have gotten those results without all the blood, sweat, and tears?
“All things are difficult before they are easy.” – Thomas Fuller
All the above applies to our choice to get out of our comfort zone in order to grow in some way.
This pandemic has taken us way out of our comfort zone and not by our choice. Although it has been forced upon you, you can choose to use it as a catalyst and an opportunity to grow and reach new personal heights. Being forced out of your comfort zone, rather than choosing, could be the most significantly meaningful opportunity to make the most significant and meaningful changes for yourself and by extension for the world.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl
Are there changes you could/should make?
Hopefully, you have used this time to think about what your priorities have been. What they are and/or what should they be? What is truly valuable to you? What will really bring you joy, not just happiness? What gives your life purpose and meaning, or what could?
Now having been forced out of your comfort zone, make those changes for now and going forward. Commit to them and you will come out of this stronger, healthier, better, and more joyful.
Warning
Do not let this “Shelter In Place” become your new comfort zone!!
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Healthy
I Remember
Today is Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day.*
In honor of all those who perished, were murdered in the Holocaust, and what lessons we can learn from remembering, I send this to you.
My parents are Holocaust survivors, or now, were Holocaust survivors. In their honor and memory, I remember. In memory of the six million Jews who were murdered, I remember. For this I say “Never Again”. We remember to honor those who were murdered and to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, anywhere, and to anyone.
“What does it mean to remember? It is to live in more than one world, to prevent the past from fading, and to call upon the future to illuminate it.” Elie Wiesel
This year we have another reason to remember. While we remember the many, too many, who were murdered, shot, gassed, and many, too many who perished from Typhus, malnutrition, just gave up, suicide…. Today we also remember and think of those like my parents, who weren’t murdered… who survived, as our existence is challenged by Covid-19.
While it is not an apt comparison, as no comparison is fair or equal, they can serve as lessons, reminders, and add some perspective.
To most of us, it is unimaginable how the survivors survived enduring the unendurable and unimaginable.
They were able to do this because consciously or un, they believed that their lives had a purpose and meaning. They had faith, hope and looked to the future with that. They believed they had something or someone to live for. If they didn’t, they probably wouldn’t have survived in the first place.
This is a powerful lesson and reminder for us all. These survivors remind us of what people are capable of enduring, how, and why.
It is a powerful lesson for all of us today in “shelter in place”, uncertain of how long, fearful of the disease, mourn the loss of life, fearful of our personal economic future, etc.
Just like the survivors did, let’s replace fearful thoughts by looking to the future with faith, hope, and purpose. With that, we can and will get through this to a brighter tomorrow.
“The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity—even under the most difficult circumstances—to add a deeper meaning to his life.” – Dr. Viktor Frankl from “Man’s Search For Meaning
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Healthy
*Today is also the Yarzheit, anniversary of my Mother’s passing. I write this in her honor and memory. Quite a coincidence that her passing was on the same day as Yom Hashoah?
The Things We Learn
As we continue to go through this very challenging time, we learn some things, and are reminded of some that we already knew. We knew them, but allowed them to fall from daily practice. Or we never really put into practice, even though we knew better. Now we can learn and/or learn again and put them into regular practice now and when things get better (not if – but when).
Some Lessons Of The Many Lessons
Priorities
Many of the things that we made priorities, we now realize aren’t really that important. We learn about that which truly matters, puts meaning in our lives, and hence brings real joy. Take inventory of how , where, and on what you’ve spent your time before. This period has given us an opportunity to learn what really matters.
Connecting
We learn the value of staying connected. We learn the value of a phone call, not just social media or text. Let someone hear your voice, so they know you care. Don’t you like to hear someone’s voice? How much more personal and meaningful is that versus social media? Social media takes very little time and effort.
We all know someone who in normal times could use some love and attention, how much more so now. So many of us are in “stay at home” and have cabin fever. What about those that have empty cabin fever? Make the call and make it a lasting habit
Always Wear A Smlie
Remembering to always smile. It makes you feel better. It brings a ray of sunshine to what might be a cloudy day to the person you’re smiling at.
The downside of wearing a mask, is that someone can’t see you smile. I was on a walk the other day and as usual I wave and smile at everyone. Two women were walking towards me from the other direction. One of them said to me “I’m smiling back, but you can’t see it because I’m wearing a mask”. I said, “I can tell that you were smiling. Keep smiling whether you think someone can see it or not. They may not see it but they can feel it” She said was very touched. The I left her with this quote
“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. – Phyliss Diller
Don’t Procrastinate
We all to some degree procrastinate. This pandemic reminds us of how quickly things can change. We are reminded of how precious each moment we are given is. With those reminders, we are reminded to not put off. If we do the shelves might be empty and there will not be any toilet paper…….that was a joke/ metaphor. Only put off that which shouldn’t be done t all.
“I was planning to procrastinate, but I never got around to it.” – Unknown
Take For Granted Or Be Grateful
There are so many things that we normally take for granted and now we realize that they are things we should be grateful for. Be grateful for the things we take for granted or don’t take for granted the things we should be grateful for.
I don’t take for granted the loyal readers of this site and I am always grateful for them. That is why I do this.
Let’s learn to remember and remember to learn
Learning, remembering, and putting into action the many lessons will bring more happiness to your life and will make this a better world when this is over.
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Healthy
These are just some reminder/lessons. Using the comment box, please share the ones you’ve learned
Sing A Song*
I am positive that having a positive attitude is always the best way to live. A positive attitude does not guarantee a positive outcome, but it does guarantee that you will be better able to handle anything that comes your way. A positive attitude can improve your immune system versus a negative attitude that weakens it.
When negative thoughts try to enter, and they will, especially now, sing them away with a song.
Sing it out loud, or to yourself, or to someone who needs to hear it. No sad songs, only songs that will lift you up, put a smile on your face, bring some tears of joy, and give you hope!
If words are the pen of the heart, then song is the pen of the soul.” – Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi
Here is a list of suggestions. All of these songs do it for me*
*”Sing A Song” – Earth, Wind, and Fire
“Put On A Happy Face” -Dick Van Dyke from “Bye, Bye Birdie”
“I Whistle A Happy Tune” – Gertrude Lawrence From “The King and I”
“Something’s Coming” – Brian Stokes Mitchell original version from “West Side Story”
“Here Comes The Sun” – Richie Havens
“Tomorrow” – Aileen Quinn from “Annie”
“You’ll Never Walk Alone” – Gerry and the Pacemakers original version from “Carousel’
“What The World Needs Now Is Love” -Jackie De Shannon
“Put A Little Love In Your Heart” – Jackie DE Shannon
“Somewhere Over The Rainbow” – Judy Garland from “The Wizard Of Oz”
“Smile – Nat King Cole
“What A Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
“You’ve Got A Friend” – Carole King
“Impossible Dream” – Brian Stokes Mitchell from “Man Of La Mancha”
“Gonna Fly Now” – from “Rocky”
There are many, many more. Please use the comment box to add your suggestions
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Kind Be Healthy
*Im positive that I’ve left many out. There are several versions of these above named songs
This Could Be The Most Contagious
Everyone the world over has been affected, sadly many infected, and too many lost by the highly contagious Covid-19 virus.
Thankfully, many are working hard on finding cures and vaccines.
It’s also heart warming to see lots of people reaching out, helping out, exhibiting Kindness.
Kindness* is very contagious. Let’s make it the most contagious!
Kindness through compassion, empathy, love, helping, charity….
All of us can spread, affect, and infect everyone with Kindness!!
We can think kind thoughts, say kind things, and do kind things. Think kind thoughts, turn them into kind words, then turn them into kind deeds.
Kind words, particularly in this time of challenge, are positive ones that will help calm the fears and worries of the unknown.
Probably the most difficult to do, is being kind to those we disagree with or disagree with us. That which is the most difficult is always the most important to do.
Lead by example. Then you will affect and infect everyone you have contact with. Then kindness will spread and go around the world, hopefully in less than eighty days.
Sing along with me
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.”
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Kind Be Healthy
*for more on Kindness read previous posts by clicking here
Time To Think
I wanted to put something out sooner but I was too busy washing my hands:)
As schools, restaurants, businesses, etc. close and so many of us are in self isolation/quarantining during this extraordinary challenge, we have much more time to think. Use this as an opportunity to evaluate.
Some things to think about during this challenging period
Think about what your priorities have been. What are they and/or what should they be? What is truly valuable to you? What will really bring you joy, not just happiness? What gives your life purpose and meaning*, or what could? Are there changes you could/should make?
Think of what freedom was like and value freedom more.
Thoughts turned to action
Think about who would like to hear from you, no matter how long it’s been. Think about how that could be a regular habit.
Think about who might need some help and then help them in any way you can. That’s something to do even in normal times. Don’t you think?
If you have children, think about how this might affect them. Let them see you in control, relaxed, and positive. Hug them.
Love thy neighbor. Love thyself, so that you can love thy neighbor.
Value every day and every moment given to you. Then do something of value with that time.
Be grateful. What are you grateful for? There’s always something to be grateful for. Start everyday thinking about what you’re grateful for. Then end every day that way.
Most Important
Only think positive thoughts. If negative thoughts enter, while it’s easier said than done, change the channel. Turn on Seinfeld re-reuns, after all it’s a show about nothing:)
I have more thoughts on what you can think about but if I make this longer you won’t have time to wash your hands:)
Use the comment button to share any thoughts you would like to add to this list
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Healthy
*Once again, If you haven’t already read it, read “Man’s Search For Meaning” by Dr. Viktor Frankl
