I’d say I’m a positive person. I generally jump out of bed excited to start the day. I write in my gratitude journal, I exercise. I smile all the time. I love my work, my friends and my family. Really… I don’t have anything to complain about.
Then Covid-19 arrived and complaining became my new normal.
I complained about our ordinary life being turned upside down overnight. I complained about cancelling our spring break trip to the beach and missing out on an ocean view margarita with a yellow umbrella in it. I complained about the stark shelves at the grocery stores and the lack of toilet paper. I complained about the never ending mess of toys, and piled up laundry. I complained about the noise from my husbands constant video conference calls. I complained about the complexity of home school and how it interferes with my health coaching schedule. I complain about the constant dishes and cooking what feels like 20+ meals per day. I complain about a longing to dine at restaurants again.
Can you relate?
My life’s blessings disappeared from my view point. I reacted to Covid-19 by shutting down. Waving the white flag, seeing the glass half empty and letting negativity wash over me.
I made the choice to stop living with a grateful heart.
In those moments I was not grateful for our health and well being. That our jobs are fully functional at home. {Thank you Internet!}. I was not grateful for the extra time with my children during home school. {Even though it’s inconvenient and it’s taken all of us time to adjust}. I was not grateful that we have access to an abundance of fresh food. I was not grateful that I have a family to love and to care for and to celebrate!!
I decided to challenge myself to live better!! I challenged myself to see my life through a Glass half full perspective. Even during the Covid-19 crisis!!! Actually, especially during Covid! It’s a daily {or sometimes hourly!} choice. But it’s so worth it!! We only get one life y’all!!
Over the past three weeks on my glass half full journey, I’ve seen a large shift in my outlook. I feel lighter. I feel calm. I feel more joy. I’m sleeping more soundly. I’ve LOVED viewing my life through rose colored glasses.
As I sit here in this transitional phase, in the space between, I try to point my attention to this: What is this transition teaching me? How can I serve others? What am I being called to do? What new traits will I integrate into the person I want to be on the other side of this?
I haven’t cracked the code on living during this new normal. I still have negative, pessimistic thoughts y’all! I’m still having resistance to all of this, just like you.
I’ve just decided not to vocalize my negative thoughts. Giving them more power then the five seconds they occupy my mind. Words are so powerful, and negative feeds negative!! When I feel negative energy stir, I’ve focused on shifting my complaining to gratitude and zeroing in on the things I’m thankful for. A warm cup of tea, movement, teaching my son multiplication, art lessons with my daughter or a zoom chat with a friend.
By making a shift to focus on your blessings, even if it’s just gratitude for your breath, can do wonders for your well-being. I’ve noticed I see so much more joy in my day and I’ve experienced and appreciated my life in a more loving way.
I’ve learned we create the culture in our own little world. Now that we are 100% at home {with no where to run} it’s more important than ever!!
Let’s create a positive, loving home and show our kids a world with a glass half full perspective! Even during a crisis!
