As you begin your week, take a second to reflect on some of the things you would like to focus on this week. What do you care about right now? What feels most important? What is most deserving of your energy?
If that feels overwhelming, that’s OK! They’re questions with MANY possible answers. The point isn’t to answer the questions, just to ask them.
Life is complicated, and there’s always more to do than we have time for. Setting an intention helps clarify your values and direct your limited time and energy in a way that seems most wise
I hope you’ll share your intentions for the week in the comments. Sharing with others can help with accountability, as well as provide support and inspiration.
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For me, I’m setting the intention to practice what I preach.
Part of why I got into counseling was because when crises happen, my first impulse is to look for ways I can help myself and the people around me persevere and find hope. This works pretty well in a one-on-one counseling setting, and it works with friends and family as well. It’s a lot less adaptable when it comes to global pandemics. I spent most of last week reeling, trying to make sure my family was as protected as I could and trying to figure out ways to help those around me. But thanks to the internet and the scope of this crisis, “those around me” feels more and more like “millions and billions of people.” It was more than a little intimidating, and proved great fodder for my anxious brain.
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This week, I’m grateful for the ideas that anxiety generated, but I’m ready to practice a skill I’ve been teaching my clients for years:
I’m ready to accept things I can’t change--the scope of the COVID-19 outbreak, the response of politicians and the public at large, the uncertainty of how our lives and society will change, just to name a few.
Instead, I can focus on what I can do, using the tools and skills I have at the moment.
There are things that many of us can do, like practicing social distancing, encouraging others to do the same, and using extra care with hand washing. In addition, I can use my skills, training, and education to help a handful of people in front of me.
I can continue to counsel the few dozen people who see me as clients. I can write songs and stories to entertain, inspire, and encourage.
I also have 148 people who follow my business page on Facebook, and I can offer some support to them too.
To that end, I’ll be posting more content in the future, aimed at helping provide a space for community discussion, sharing of resources and information, as well as reminding people to have hope and do their best through this challenging time. If you’re reading this, then most likely you’re part of those 148 followers, and I’m speaking directly to you. I hope you’ll talk back, and help me help you. Let me know what your challenges are and what you most need.
Be well.
Take care of yourself and others.
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