Our mom had some spectacular sayings. Ones that were life affirming and lessons on how to get the most from each day.
“The world would be a better place if people would eat when they’re hungry and take a nap or go to bed when they’re tired.” That one stood out to me in its simplicity. If we could all go get a snack when those hunger pains gnawed at us, and hit the sack when we’re ready to nod off, we’d eliminate a lot of our edginess. Stop being so cranky. Be a bit happier and easier to get along with.
“Lower your expectations and grow your own vegetables” was another one. Still sticks with me on many days. Stop wanting so much, understand your limits, be pleased with what you get, and while you’re at it, grow some of your own food. Take care of yourself. The more you do those things, the more your spirit can reach out to touch others. She gave us so much wisdom, insight and kindness.
As the coronavirus continues to rage across the United States, infecting our minds as well as the bodies of many, I’m working hard to remember another of her sayings and keep it at the forefront of my mind as I go about my daily life: “Always have something to look forward to.”
She developed and used this phrase more frequently as she got closer to the end of her life. She found it tremendously important to have something on her personal agenda that she looked forward to, that motivated her. It could be a trip. It could have been walking our dog, or picking up the garbage along the road in Topeka, KS. Maybe it was her morning workout or an evening cocktail or a golf outing with her women friends.
Whether it was any of those upcoming events or something different, it was motivational for her. We need that now. Each of us.
One of the big negatives we experience in this virus-laden moment is an overwhelming sense of personal, emotional, psychological and financial negativity and uncertainty. It’s hard to stay positive. It’s hard to find those things to look forward to.
For me, I can no longer work out at our fitness facility, something I looked forward to several days a week. I enjoy movies at the theater and golf, and both have been eliminated. My wife and I like to go out Saturday evenings to a restaurant. That’s gone. We appreciate church. No more services. I like seeing friends for coffee or an occasional lunch. Bye bye, not happening.
We must adjust. It’s important for all of us to adapt. Look inside and build something new.
This past weekend, my wife and I drove an hour north to Horicon, WI, to hike in a noted bird watching area. We found a jewel of scenery and an inspiring story of a wetland recreated by our species’ ability to engineer and recreate an environmentally sensitive area after previously destroying it. Quite frankly, I was inspired.
Today, as I write this, I’ve returned from taking our dogs to Lake Michigan for a walk and some stick retrieval in its frigid waters. This afternoon, on a glorious 46-degree day, I pedaled my bike for the first time this year. I’m sore and tired.
I took a nap this afternoon and now write this. These things satisfy me. Give me pleasure. Are some of the smaller things worth looking forward to and being grateful for in our current changing circumstances. I hope you have these as well.
“The world would be a better place if people would eat when they’re hungry and take a nap or go to bed when they’re tired.” That one stood out to me in its simplicity. If we could all go get a snack when those hunger pains gnawed at us, and hit the sack when we’re ready to nod off, we’d eliminate a lot of our edginess. Stop being so cranky. Be a bit happier and easier to get along with.
“Lower your expectations and grow your own vegetables” was another one. Still sticks with me on many days. Stop wanting so much, understand your limits, be pleased with what you get, and while you’re at it, grow some of your own food. Take care of yourself. The more you do those things, the more your spirit can reach out to touch others. She gave us so much wisdom, insight and kindness.
As the coronavirus continues to rage across the United States, infecting our minds as well as the bodies of many, I’m working hard to remember another of her sayings and keep it at the forefront of my mind as I go about my daily life: “Always have something to look forward to.”
She developed and used this phrase more frequently as she got closer to the end of her life. She found it tremendously important to have something on her personal agenda that she looked forward to, that motivated her. It could be a trip. It could have been walking our dog, or picking up the garbage along the road in Topeka, KS. Maybe it was her morning workout or an evening cocktail or a golf outing with her women friends.
Whether it was any of those upcoming events or something different, it was motivational for her. We need that now. Each of us.
One of the big negatives we experience in this virus-laden moment is an overwhelming sense of personal, emotional, psychological and financial negativity and uncertainty. It’s hard to stay positive. It’s hard to find those things to look forward to.
For me, I can no longer work out at our fitness facility, something I looked forward to several days a week. I enjoy movies at the theater and golf, and both have been eliminated. My wife and I like to go out Saturday evenings to a restaurant. That’s gone. We appreciate church. No more services. I like seeing friends for coffee or an occasional lunch. Bye bye, not happening.
We must adjust. It’s important for all of us to adapt. Look inside and build something new.
This past weekend, my wife and I drove an hour north to Horicon, WI, to hike in a noted bird watching area. We found a jewel of scenery and an inspiring story of a wetland recreated by our species’ ability to engineer and recreate an environmentally sensitive area after previously destroying it. Quite frankly, I was inspired.
Today, as I write this, I’ve returned from taking our dogs to Lake Michigan for a walk and some stick retrieval in its frigid waters. This afternoon, on a glorious 46-degree day, I pedaled my bike for the first time this year. I’m sore and tired.
I took a nap this afternoon and now write this. These things satisfy me. Give me pleasure. Are some of the smaller things worth looking forward to and being grateful for in our current changing circumstances. I hope you have these as well.
