Life bursts through the cracks even in the most difficult of environments. Because we are living beings with an imperative to survive and express ourselves, we are much more resilient than we realize. But that doesn’t mean challenging times are easy, by any means, and it is important to acknowledge the difficulties.
For those of you who feel like sharing, how are you holding up? Are you weary? Struggling? At ease? Grateful? Everything in between? Considering the current crises going on, it is perfectly normal to have a variety of feelings on any given day.
For those of you who have a more private nature, perhaps ask yourself this question. And then really, really listen to your answer. Respond accordingly. Be gentle with yourself. Throw yourself a kiss in the bathroom mirror. Give yourself a few kind words and a hug. Or all of the above. Respond in loving ways even if it feels silly. Sometimes being silly lessens the struggle…
In the meantime, may we all be flowers bursting through the sidewalk. Resilient. Beautiful. Hardy. Uncrushable.
Love,
Susan
(Thank you to my friend, Susan P., for taking and sharing this photograph with me. 💙)
Read the previous dispatch here.
I go from struggling to at ease to weary to grateful on any given day, while sitting in a chair I’ve grown attached to. I do need alone time in normal circumstances but now it’s my preferred state. Once life returns to “normal” I’m pretty sure it will be difficult for me.
Thanks so much for sharing, Janet. The cycling through of different emotions is something a lot of people seem to be experiencing. I can relate to much of what you say. I wonder how “normal” things will be in the future. Thankfully, we humans seem pretty adaptable, but it is a difficult time nonetheless.
Take good care. Enjoy your chair. 🙂
Like Janet I go from weary to grateful, the to frustrated back to grateful and weary. Part of that comes from being in the United States where our government has no plan for how to really deal with what’s happening. Thankfully I live in a state where the governor cares enough to make facemasks mandatory, although there are a lot of people who don’t follow the order, hence the frustration. Every time someone says they can’t wait for things to get back to “normal,” I just laugh. Things will never be the way they were before.
I think you’re right, M.E. Normal doesn’t exist anymore. Resilience is helpful, but we are still on a very bumpy ride. Thanks so much for your comment. Stay steady while observing the process. I will try to do the same.
Susan