Hi Friend
How are you doing? How are you feeling? What are you learning about yourself? Do you have what you need?
We can’t really begin an interaction with someone, without first genuinely inquiring about their state of being, can we? I’m sincerely interested and would love to know. Ironically, out of our social distancing and self quarantining, we’ve dug deep into personal connection.
This past week for me has been filled with efforts to connect and keep others connected. I’ve shot more videos and had more conversations last week, than ever. The immediate benefit of knowing exactly where I’ll be for the next several months has created a freedom to commit.
I hosted two virtual team huddles on Wednesday. I created an open Zoom Room to drop by on Friday. Next Monday I’ll offer six 30 minute meeting time slots. The extreme pivot in society has fostered an urgent need for innovation from every corner. Fortunately for us, technology is capable of providing the necessary tools.
I’m still wrestling with appropriate expressions of celebration about my own wins (new website, family safe, abundant provision, mentally/emotionally invigorated, hopeful, etc). I’m not a news junkie and read very little of the details. I scroll headlines and scan limited articles. I’m informed but not inundated. I’m aware, but not overwhelmed. That affords me the opportunity to prioritize the good things happening.
It also lets me celebrate others wins. Our nature can get jealous, self-absorbed, victimized and drift into feelings of unfairness rather quickly. In crisis and isolation those negative sensations amplify rapidly. Our emotional dynamics can soar and plummet in one day. Heck, in one hour.
Gratitude preserves our motivation and soundness.
Being grateful for what we have, doesn’t diminish our compassion for what others are lacking.
Being grateful for who is in our life, doesn’t diminish our sympathy for the loss of others.
Being grateful for where we find ourselves, doesn’t diminish our pain for where others struggle.
Being grateful for how things are progressing, doesn’t diminish our empathy towards how others have stalled.
Being grateful isn’t delusional. We can purposely discover and articulate something positive in the midst of all the negative. It’s certainly a device to strengthen our soul if we want to exercise it. It doesn’t mean we’re secure. There are those who have more yet are fearful and defensive. There are those who have less yet remain generous and considerate. Being appreciative differentiates perspective choices.
We’ve all experienced disappointment in life. However, we’ve never encountered global heartbreak. The enormous disruption, uncertainty and grasping for control that’s beyond our reach has pummeled hope. The destabilization of our fundamental way of life has shook us all. Certainly that’s fueling our desire to connect with one another? Simultaneously we’re reciprocating disbelief in our current reality as well as attempting to strengthen one another, bolstering ourselves.
This is not the new normal. It’s abnormal.
I have heard words and phrases that until this week have never been in my vocabulary. One term that continues to dominate conversations is “UNPRECEDENTED”. Dictionary.com defines it as: without previous instance; never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled.
A precisely accurate word for our times. Nationally, we’re seeing an unparalleled response. Agree or disagree, think it’s too much or not enough – it’s never been seen before. What makes it so significant is that we’re experiencing the de-precedenting of it. There is now a point of reference for our pandemic response.
Like after 9/11, we found our way back to normal it just included TSA.
What if after COVID-19 we incorporated an unprecedented level of gratitude? There is a lot of bitterness brewing over what’s being lost. One month ago, everyone of us envisioned our future differently. Now it’s a blur with an undefined timeline that mostly seems demoralizing. No effort is needed to access fear, sadness or frustration.
Like TSA we need to take drastic measures to intentionally safeguard our hearts. We’re going to be in this season for longer than we’d like. Unfortunately, there are so many elements beyond our control and if there’s one thing I know about us humans, we like to be in control!
Unprecedented Gratitude
Unprecedented Gratitude
Unprecedented Gratitude
It will make all the difference as we move forward.
Instigating Ideas:
- Daily, say out loud, to someone something you’re grateful for.
- Daily call, text or video call a family, friend or colleague.
- Write down what you believe you’ve lost.
- Volunteer at a non-profit this week or next.
There’s always someone who has more, there’s always someone who has less. Our pain, loss and brokenness isn’t comparable. It’s uniquely ours. Yet it serves as a precedent to motivate us to serve others. Determining gratefulness fuels such a contradictory reality.
So many, have lost so much. Giving, serving and being available, even from our own place of loss, is possible with gratitude.
I’m daring you to be ridiculously grateful this week. I would love to hear how that goes. Please Share.
I am offering three different weekly Zoom Video Connections. I would love for you to join me in one or more. All times are CST.
Monday 2-5pm
Six 30 minute scheduled meetings.
Wednesday 8am & 2pm
Virtual Team Huddle. For anyone wanting to connect with others to discuss wins and challenges.
Friday 1-3pm
Open Zoom Policy. Stop by, say hello. A brief break in your afternoon for a little chit-chat.