Last week I took a walk. On the way, I saw this, written in colored chalk on the sidewalk in childish handwriting: “Will you let covid ruin your day? No! Smile! Have a great day!” followed by about 20 chalk smiley faces in a variety of colors.
What did I do? I smiled, of course! I couldn’t help it.
One of my readers sent me this message last week: “I put together a list of things I am doing to weather this time in a healthy way.:
Here’s his list:
- To give thanks each day. (St. Ignatius of Loyola in his spiritual exercises calls it ‘Review the day with thanksgiving.’)
- To enjoy humor each day. Nothing irritates the devil more than a good laugh.
- To forgive those who wrong me.
- To accept forgiveness from those I have wronged.
- To hold no grudges, resentments, etc.
- To call, email, text, or visit by Facetime someone every day.
- To catch people doing something right (vs. wrong).
- To remember people in prayer.
- To focus on things I can control, not what I cannot.
- To take a walk or a bike ride every day.
- To enjoy good food and drink, particularly a margarita at the end of the day.
This pastor also said, “Maybe your next column ought to ask your readers what they are doing to focus on hope and challenge for the living of these days”
I love this idea!
Here’s part of my own list:
- Sing for at least 10 minutes a day.
- Stop at several points to notice what is right about my world.
- Focus on the moment instead of spiralling about the future.
- Limit my exposure to the news. (The reader above sent me a follow-up email calling it the “noise media.”
What’s on your list of what you are doing to weather this time in a healthy way?