Pandemic Winter II and YOU

 So I went to my doc for a physical the other day. And as a part of it, she asked about my mental health / any feelings of depression. My answer was simple and direct, "It's 2022." I then assured her I was doing okay. But there are these weird feelings of dread, uncertainty with an undercurrent of fear all around. It's change, friends. The world is not ending or coming apart but it is changing. The last two, or so, years have seen very rapid change. We work differently than in 2019. Shopping is not the same (that one was on the way, covid just accelerated it). Big events, with lots of people, are more rare. Too many feel isolated and depressed stuck at home with only TV and an internet connection for company. Neither one often brings good news or warm fuzzies. Where is the money in that?  More often they pump in fear, outrage and division. Fortunately, suicide rates actually declined. Not all stressors act the same. Covid was like hitting the "PAUSE BUTTON. "Many started asking "is this where I want to be?" A common threat usually pulls people together and can bring out the best in us. 

One evening early on in the pandemic a random, older, African-American woman paid for my brother's groceries. My brother makes plenty of money and did not need the help. He then followed her to her car and implored her to let him pay her back. She was having none of it. She simply her up her hand and said, "It's not about that, it's about the love." My brother thanked her and she drove off leaving him a little choked up and inspired. May her act inspire you as well. It did me. Sure shutdowns suck but they give us a little space to think.   

"The Great Resignation" is a sign of people reevaluating what's important in life and not a sudden case of mass laziness. What about you? Are you where you want to be and like the direction you are moving in? You don't have to be in quarantine to ask yourself. Ask yourself before getting out of bed to start the day. This is when my mind is most clear and honest. You may be different, perhaps before you nod off? Do what works for you. Where you are now is the sum of your decisions to this point. Yes, there are things beyond our control (like pandemics) but how you react ALWAYS is a choice. You choose who to listen to. You choose to follow guidelines, recommendations and local ordinances or not. If not, how's that working out? You choose the food and drink to put into your body and how much or how little exercise to do. Despite what the TV says or you may read on line, you actually have a lot of power. I cannot say this too often, "Despair is your enemy's strongest weapon."