Your Way of Thinking is What Makes You What You Are

The pandemic has affected all of us. What makes peo-

ple’s ways of thinking so different? Some are fearful. Others
have an attitude of acceptance with some apathy. A boy in a
local carry-out removed his mask as he sneezed. He offered
for me to go ahead of him. I replied “Not after you sneezed”
and turned in the other direction. My friend with me
walked right past him. I wouldn't go near it, but she bravely
walked into the area after his sneeze. My friend and I wore
masks. She told me the boy removed his mask when he
sneezed. Whose action was right? That is a very controver-
sial question. Why are some people so reluctant to wear
masks while others don’t go outside their doors without Be wise as an owl.
one? Why do some people ride buses while others stay inside most of the time, foregoing
doctors’ appointments, etc.? Why do we react differently. Since stress is harmful to our im-
mune system, perhaps many people think that wearing masks and abiding by so many re-
strictions affects their mental conditions. Others think no abiding is more harmful, even men-
tally.
I heard the story of two neighbors who react on opposite sides of how to cope with
the pandemic. One neighbor has parties while the other neighbor won’t even pet a dog.
A person’s behavior is often affected by beliefs or ways of thinking. Much of this is self-
learned, usually by example of someone else in our lives. The influential person may be a fic-
tional tv character or movie star. You think, act, and react according to previous influences.
You also may have changed your way of thinking about a particular situation. This comes
with reasoning, also influenced or self-taught perhaps with experience.
So, what attitude should you have towards this pandemic? You should be reasonably
comfortable with your ways of coping. Trust your instincts based on good judgment. Be
wise as an owl. Know the facts and respond accordingly.
Making changes to your lifestyle
How has your life changed since
the pandemic started? Are you home
most of the time? Kids with you most of
the time? Job changed? Think of other
changes you have had to make because
of this virus.
Adapt as a chameleon blends in with its environment.
In the beginning, staying home
may have seemed like a vacation. You enjoyed going to bed later and sleeping in the next
day. You may have watched more television than you have ever watched. You were a little
happy. You got to enjoy being with your kids more. Later the situation changed. Or was it
that your attitude changed? You may actually miss going to work. You love your kids but need
more “me time”.
So, you have to learn to adapt to being home with them. Maybe you’re learning to
spend time with each other in more pleasant ways as sharing home-made pizza and enjoying
a good family movie. Playing games is a fun way to spend the time with them.
On the other hand, maybe you’re alone. You miss eating out. Maybe bowling or bingo
was your thing. That’s all changed. So, how do you replace those special moments when you
live alone. That may be tougher to adapt than coping with family being around most of the
time. You have to find ways to entertain yourself or stay busy doing things you never had
time to do before.
Think of it as just another change. You have experienced many changes in your life.
Graduating from high school and going on to college or entering the work field. Those were
extreme changes. Moving to another town or state may have been a big challenge for you to
adapt. Did you get married? Have kids? Change jobs a few times? Got promoted? Join the
military service? You’ve adapted before and you can do it again.
Keep in mind that this will all change again. There is hope this will end. Things may
never seem normal again, but it all may soon get better than today.
 You can’t change it. You were destined to experi-
ence the pandemic. After surviving it, you may have
some stories to tell the next generation. Have you
heard the expression “Live your life as if today will be
your last”? That doesn’t mean to be fearful, but ex-
presses to make the best of each day. We don’t know
how much time we have to live our lives. No, I am not
trying to instill fear. I’m trying to help you appreciate
each day.

Another viewpoint is to relax. If you’re retired or

temporarily out of work, you may enjoy the freedom
to take it easy. No hurry to get things done.

Either way of life is acceptable. It is your choice. The main thing is for you to accept
your changes. You didn’t cause the pandemic. You didn’t ask for it. You didn’t want it. Yet, it’s
here to stay for a while longer. This is just another chapter in your life.

Don’t get depressed, anxious, or worry about anything. Life is too short and too good to
get messed up with negative thoughts. You can make it through this. Yes, trust yourself that
your have self confidence to keep going until you can say “Well done!”
 Find Your Own Way to Stay Active
During the Pandemic
You need to adapt your activities to coincide with the seasons. Experts indicate that
going outdoors is safe. Find ways to entertain yourself. It’s ok to participate with those you
live with as long as each plays it safe. The main goal is to maintain an healthy attitude .
• Go hiking or camping.
• Enjoy seeing wildlife in the woods or even near a local park.
• Play basketball (even by yourself) with an in-home net. What a way to learn to make
those foul shots and get good exercise at the same time.
• Make a gratitude list. Being thankful for special moments both large and small can be
very rewarding. If you feel safer at home, stay busy and thankful.
• Shoveling snow can be rewarding as you enjoy the fresh, cool air. Go slow and don’t over-
do it.
 6 Activities That Lift Your Mood
Even with the Pandemic
How do you cheer yourself up and lift your
mood when life gets you down? There are many
possibilities to lift your mood in a fun and posi-
tive way. Taking care of your physical, mental,
and spiritual health in all aspects helps you live
your best life.

You can create your mood, and you are in

control of lifting your mood any time that you
choose. Let’s check out some great mood-lifting
activities.
1. Focus on Good Things
Take time to focus on positive things. It does not have to be anything deep. It can be
simple, small things. Think about those goals you are working towards or upcoming
events you can hardly wait to attend. Remember to focus on gratitude as well. Taking
time to appreciate whatever small thing is good in your life does amazing things for
your mood. Try to be thankful for at least ten things that occur each day. It is good to
mentally take note as they happen or to mentally count ten or more good things at
bedtime. Sometimes you may need to think hard to get ten of them. Maybe you didn’t
do anything or didn’t go anywhere. That makes it hard to find ten good things that
occur. So, stay active. Do something and be grateful that you can. Many people love
journaling. Reflecting back is a rewarding time to help you stay positive.
Think positively even in a potentially-negative situation. If you dig deep enough, you
will find something good. Perhaps you lost your job; look forward to a better one. May-
be you lost a spouse or date; life goes on (be thankful for the good memories). Your
home burned down; you’re alive. You’re deep in debt; focus on budgeting and catching
up. Don’t accept the bad without the good in everything.
2. Go Outside

A change of scenery and routine from time to time is a mood booster. Getting some
new views and changing up your routine is a great way to feel happier, calmer, and
better overall. Go outside, breathe fresh air, be happy. Outdoor activities are also
often great exercise. There’s not much else to add to this. You need light and the sun’s
rays so get out there and find something to do, even if you just sit and relax. Taking a
walk through your local park could be very rewarding. Go alone or take your pet. Yes,
a dog is a great companion to take along. I even used to take my cat for a walk in the
park. He followed along very well. (Be careful. Do this only if you trust your cat will fol-
low you.) A simple walk alone down the street may be enjoyed about as much as a
walk through the park. Just get outside!

3. Go on an Adventure

Take a random adventure. It doesn’t have to be expensive, or complicated, just some-

thing that you don’t normally do. The change of scenery is a great way to lift your
mood and experience joy. Get creative with planning for things that offer an authentic
experience. Enjoy a new experience.

For example, you might take a car ride to a new area. Just follow the road and take
turns whenever you choose. Where are you going? Who knows and who cares? Note,
be cautious about filling your gas tank. Wear throw-away-gloves or use hand sanitizer
afterwards.

Perhaps you will enjoy a walk to a school yard or place where you can watch wild ani-
mals such as squirrels, birds, or maybe some deer. Take your dog to a park. Don’t have
one? Consider getting one (that’s “dog” not “park”. A man told me the best thing he
ever did was get a dog so he had to walk him every day. He realized the benefit of
walking while enjoying good companionship. As another thought for you singles out
there: Walking a dog is a great way to start conversations with the cute neighbor
down the street. Just remember that during the pandemic you need to keep your dis-
tance. Just lay some ground for the future moments.
 4. Have Fun
Do whatever you enjoy that is good for you. Relax, play, chill. Whatever your thing is,
do it (guilt-free). If you don’t have a spouse or anyone living with you, find a fun or
relaxing thing to do alone. When is the last time you threw a ball against a wall and
watched your dog try to get it as he sees it bounce? Star-gazing on a cloudless night
could be fun. “Get out the old records off the shelf” and enjoy that “old-time rock
and roll” and “Dance, Dance, Dance”. You could play a radio or internet.

Play basketball by yourself. It’s not hard or expensive to install a basket on a pole.
You may become the next Lebron James.

5. Focus on Others
Focusing on others can be as simple as helping out a friend. This could also be volun-
teering to do some good in the world. However, it goes, focusing on a task outside of
yourself is good for the soul. Getting outside of your head, your concerns and your
bubble is a great mood lifter. You might shop for someone who can’t get out. Maybe
you could call a friend or neighbor once a week or so. Just a friendly greeting may be
so helpful and appreciative. Take out someone’s garbage every week or so. Don’t
stop. Shovel someone’s driveway, sidewalk, or steps or clean snow off someone’s car.
Maybe you could cut someone’s grass. Don’t ask for payment.

Being a blessing to someone can make you feel needed in this world, especially if you
are told the great, sincere words “Thank you”. This also helps you feel grateful for
your own blessings.

Life can be challenging at times. Instead of being victim to your moods, consciously
take steps to lift your mood. Just like building muscles in the gym, it is up to you to separate
yourself from average.
6. Clean, Organize and Refresh
Yes, it’s time to get organized. Clean your desk or office. Clean your bedroom. Clearing
physical space can help you feel more mentally organized and productive. A great way
for some easy mood boosting is accomplishing some of these often put-off tasks.

Getting organized can be a mental relief and an organic mood lifter. Consider getting rid
of, donating, or selling items that take up space but that you definitely do not use.

You may need to utilize the most important thing I learned at college. The way to get a
task done is to “start”. Yes, after you clear out that first box or drawer, you should have
enough motivation to continue. After you sort through that first set of papers, you
should have enough motivation to continue. After you wash that first wall, you should
have enough motivation to continue. After you …. motivation to continue. START!

The Choice Is Yours

There are many mood lifting techniques, strategies, and options to create positivity in
your life. Try out many activities until you find your favorites. The possibilities are endless. The
important thing to remember is that a good mood is not like the weather. It does not come
and go depending on the season.

You have direct control over your mood. Even if there are times in life when this does
not feel like the case. This means that on days you are not feeling great you can choose to do
activities that make you feel good. If you are having a bad day, it can be challenging to have
this mindset. If you choose to, you will usually feel better after choosing to participate in
mood lifting activities.
 You can mentally prepare yourself during
this pandemic as well as make physical prepara-
tions. Wake up with a pleasant thought. If
you’re at home with family, think of a pleasant
memory. Then transform that memory into a
pleasant moment to look forward to for this
day. Smile! How can you smile when you may
be miserable with the lockdown and/or chang-
es of lifestyle? How? Just do it! Each day, make
it a point to count at least ten times that you
smile, even a forced, fake smile. You might turn that into a laugh as you make fun of yourself
smiling when you want to growl. Can you do that? Yes, you can!
Your next challenge is to help make someone else smile. You might tell a joke. Ah, may-
be you’re not good at it. That’s ok, too as you both can laugh at how you fumble with a joke.
Hey, one day you told a joke and someone laughed. Wow! You accomplished another goal.
Keep it up.
Get that person to share a joke with you. You both can laugh again. If your jokes be-
come scarce, take turns telling one. Look up on the internet new jokes to tell each other.
Don’t stop doing this. Keep this habit after the pandemic is over …
Another way to mentally prepare yourself during the pandemic is to stay busy. You
might enjoy playing computer/cell phone games, but don’t get addicted. Try something more
productive such as cleaning your garage or attic. Some people find it difficult to clean the car.
Do what you can and reward yourself for your achievements.
If you live alone, keep in contact by phone or social media. As with the games, don’t get
addicted. I know some women can talk for hours on the phone. Yes, I do know. I hate telling
on myself this way, but I have known myself to do this many times. Do I need it? Yes, I think I
do need it sometimes. However, I try to limit the number of times I talk for such long times.
If you think your need to talk with a counsellor, call your local mental health counselling
agency or any licensed psychologist.
 You already know about everything on this page. 1) Wear a mask 2) keep at least 6
feet away from anyone (social distancing) 3) avoid crowds 4) wash hands often or use hand
sanitizer after touching common objects 5) avoid touching your face. (Note: Even though it
has been reported that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from touching objects is low, why
do they still encourage using hand sanitizer after pumping gas and other common items.
They also enforce heavy sanitization of surgical and food areas.) Also, note that these practic-
es have been enforced before COVID. It had also been recommended to be cautious about
touching elevator buttons and door knobs prior to the pandemic. Remember, there are a lot
of other germs that can cause severe illness. So, take precautions. Don’t worry about what
others think. Protect yourself and your family.
Try to avoid getting the flu virus. You surely don’t want that too if you get COVID-19.
You should know what to do about that. Get a flu shot if you are able. Take the general pre-
cautions as with avoiding COVID.
 Getting Back to Normal —
Is it safe?
You probably miss getting out to
your old routine. Your friends, family,
and neighbors get around, so why can’t
you? Get the facts. Know what is danger-
ous. Ask yourself if going out is worth
the risk.
Do you have kids at home that you
want to protect? If you get COVID, how
likely is it that you will give it to your family or others? What are their chances of survival
with it? Is it worth the risk to them? Is it worth the risk to yourself?
When was the last time your had the flu? When was the last time your family mem-
bers had it? Was it rough? If any of you had a hard time getting through it, think how hard it
may be to get through this virus.
Do you know anyone who contracted it? What was it like? If you know, then you
should realize the danger. Oh, you know someone who didn’t have much of a problem, at
all! Great! However, it doesn’t always go that way.
What age does COVID affect? The answer is all ages. CNN reported that a six-year old
girl died in Florida. Many other young kids have died from it.
So, would it be worth that risk to go where you want to go? Think hard about it.
Please take all precautions anywhere you go.
Hopefully, someday soon, it will be announced that we can resume all normal activi-
ties. Can you wait until then?