We’ve all experienced the dreaded symptoms of a cold, allergies, or sinus infection—a stuffy nose, a congested, leaden head, sinus pressure, and mouth breathing. When confronted with these symptoms, we often ingest copious amounts of medication, both over-the-counter and prescription, desperate for relief.

I suspect that for quite some time, Mother Earth has been existing in a perpetual state of congestion, a result of the massive amount of pollutants dumped into her breathing space. Day after day, she’s forced to exist in her clogged state with little hope for a respite from her misery.

As a result of our global timeout, planes have been grounded, trains sit idle on tracks, factories are closed, and people are at home and out of their cars. Our collective standstill has resulted in positive changes in the environment. Perhaps the most notable is the significant decline in air pollution in major cities around the world.

Mother Earth can breathe. And she’s grinning from ear to ear as she inhales slow, deep, cleansing breaths through her nose. She’s grateful for this gift, and she’s wondering what can be done to ensure that it lasts?

Manifesting the End of Coronavirus. This was the title and subject of a video I watched earlier this week. The gist of the message can be summed up in four words:

What we resist persists.

During this time of isolation and physical distancing, we need to remain focused on the positive. I’d never dismiss the seriousness of this situation—people becoming ill, people dying, the loss of jobs, and more—yet we need to accept and embrace where we are and be patient as this ever-changing scenario unfolds.

In an effort to make peace with our current state of affairs, I suggest writing a note to COVID-19, thanking it for the lessons you’ve learned thus far, and the ways you intend to make permanent changes or shifts in the way you think and live going forward.

Here’s a sample template:

Dear Coronavirus,

In the smattering of days since you found your way into our country, our homes, and our communities, I’ve learned so much about myself, my life, and my priorities. I’ve also become aware of the plethora of things I’ve taken for granted. I’d like to thank you for showing up as my teacher, and I’m grateful for my front row seat in your classroom. Your lessons are necessary and important and are providing me with awareness and opportunity.

Here are a few things I’ve learned so far, and the new plans and goals I have for the future:

INSERT YOUR LIST

I’m choosing to live my life one day at a time, allowing things to unfold without fear, negativity, judgment, and impatience. I’m also doing my best to remain hopeful, optimistic, and focused, and I choose to be kind, empathetic, and sincere in everything I think, do, and say.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

With love,

If you’ve been following along this week, most of what I’ve written have been my words, my views. Today, I want to share the voice of someone else. In 1971, the song, “Imagine,” was released. It was co-written by John Lennon and wife, Yoko Ono. In 2011, Rolling Stone magazine named it the third-greatest song of all time. It’s number one for me and has been for some time.

Here we are, nearly 50 years later, and we’ve yet to manifest the things John sang and dreamed about. It’s not too late. We can do this.

Just imagine what the world would be like if we did?

“Imagine”

Like quicksand under our feet, we’ve been sinking into a dark, dank abyss. Many have drawn attention to this slow, yet steady slide, but their cries for help have mostly been ignored, even dismissed. How did we get here? The list is lengthy…

A lack of common courtesy and respect

The fracturing of our two-party system

Inability to disconnect from devices

Shrinking of the middle class

Improper care of the elderly

Dismissal of climate change

Living beyond our means

Ageism in the workplace

Unaffordable healthcare

Lack of a living wage

Overcrowded prisons

Unhealthy lifestyles

Mental health crisis

Displaced veterans

Frivolous lawsuits

Human trafficking

Animal extinction

Harried lifestyles

Opioid epidemic

Corporate greed

Unemployment

Mass shootings

Discrimination

Homelessness

Pay inequality

Working poor

Animal abuse

Hate crimes

Materialism

Hurricanes

Tornadoes

Wildfires

Addiction

Pollution

Bullying

Drought

Poverty

Racism

Fraud

Virus

I’ve often pondered the questions, “What can I do? What can one person do?” The answer, I believe, lies within the lyrics, co-written in 1955 by the husband-wife team of Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller. (Thanks, Brian, for the reminder.)

“Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.”

We are at a critical juncture in time. Do we continue our downward spiral or do we grasp the lifeline and begin our ascent? I say we take this unprecedented opportunity to save ourselves, our planet, our creatures, our humanity.

We have the power to turn this around, and the time is now. Will you do your part?

I’ve been aware for quite some time that our thoughts, words, and actions have wings. That is, everything we think, say, and do makes its way into our world, our consciousness. We need to be mindful, now more than ever, of this universal force.

There will come a time when our restrictions will be lifted. Businesses and schools will reopen, restaurants will have dine-in options, and grocery stores won’t be stripped bare of their wares. People will say, “I’ve gone back to work,” or “Things are returning to normal.”

I think we should refrain from using terms like “going back” or “returning to normal” as this dismisses much of the forward progress that’s taking place as we speak. We’re experiencing a new way of life, making use of time many of us have never had. People are creating and embracing new ways of engaging with their families, friends, and neighbors—family game night, spending time in nature walking, playing, or just sitting, singing from balconies, checking off to-do list items, using phones for chats not scrolling.

If we go back to our harried and often self-absorbed way of life, we’ve missed the lessons that have been placed right in front of us. What’s happening now is so much more than a virus. It’s a wakeup call. It’s an opportunity to restructure the way we live, reprioritize our daily agendas, and increase the time spent enjoying one another.

It’s our chance to do and be better.

Rahul Gandhi says it this way:

“It is the time to move ahead and bring the change.”

My message today is about adopting the “attitude of gratitude.” Merriam-Webster defines gratitude as “the state of being grateful: thankfulness.” If you aren’t a regular practitioner of expressing gratitude, now’s the perfect time to start! Instead of dwelling on what’s been taken away, put all of your time, energy, and focus into appreciating and being thankful for what you have.

I started a gratitude journal years ago when Oprah was preaching about it on her show. Over time, I fell out of practice. I returned to it last summer after reading Melody Beattie’s book, Make Miracles in Forty Days. There’s no right or wrong way to practice expressing gratitude. You can jot down a list in a notebook or journal, or simply take a few moments to make a mental note of the people, places, and/or things you’re grateful for. Try to come up with at least three items. (Ms. Beattie suggests ten.) Do what’s best for you—just take the time to do it. Oh, and this exercise can also be done with children, even fairly young ones.

I’m grateful for our connection, which enables me to share this unprecedented time with you. I’ll end with a quote from Zig Ziglar:

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”

We are currently living in unchartered territory. Our way of life has changed drastically, with little time for preparation. We’ve literally been turned upside down, which means our view has changed. What will you do with this new view?

We’ve been given the chance to restructure our lives, and these changes need not be temporary. They can last far beyond our current situation. I received an email this morning from Dean Graziosi and Tony Robbins. The message was delivered with perfect timing. I share the gist of it below and offer it as food for thought in relation to your own life and this opportunity we’ve been given. Yes, I call it an opportunity.

The truth is, I’m watching people all around me take two different paths…

Some are watching the news, scrolling social media or catching up on Netflix shows because they’re scared and can only either focus on the worst, or are trying to distract themselves. 

But when I look at my friends who have been successful over years and years no matter what situation comes up, you know what they’re doing?

They’re GROWING. 

Here’s the reality—those who don’t use this as a time of growth are actually self-selecting to be stuck and fall behind when this is over. 

And so, my friends, to borrow and bend the famous line from Mary Oliver’s poem:

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your opportunity for growth?

Love ya, mean it!

A few weeks ago, I had an idea to post something positive every day, a way to counteract the negative we’re constantly bombarded with. I was busy finishing up a writing class, so I pushed this project to the side. And then COVID-19 came to the United States, impacting our lives in an unprecedented way. These are uncertain times, no doubt, but we’ve been given an opportunity to make significant, constructive changes in the way we live our lives and to reconsider what we deem “important.”

We’re learning we can live, even thrive, without some of the things we once took for granted or considered a necessity. We’re also being reminded that our connection to one another is our top priority. We’re in this together, and together we can and will survive whatever comes our way.

I hope you’ll make the best use of your situation. If you’re at home, use the extra time to get caught up on chores, reading, movies, projects, your email inbox, etc. Use your phone to call and catch up with family and friends. Learn something new via YouTube videos, listen to podcasts, spend time outdoors, dig out old recipes and whip them up for dinner, dance to old CD’s, snuggle with your kids and pets. Many of us have been given the gift of time, so don’t waste it or poo poo it. Embrace it.

And one last thing. There are only two real emotions: LOVE and fear. The two cannot coexist. Period. Choose LOVE. Try to avoid using words like scary, frightening, and afraid. If you find yourself succumbing to fear, find your way back to LOVE. The Beatles summed it up best:

“All you need is love. Love is all you need.”