When thing get tough, it is even more important to try and keep a positive attitude. I obviously need to keep reminding myself of this too. I guess I too am human as well. With all of the stress going on about COVID-19, taking care of patients, wondering when and if I am going to come down with this, or expose my family to it, the loss of socializing and running with my friends, not being able to go to church, and then top it all with the crappy weather we had on Thursday, and wondering if we are still going to have to deal with a flood situation, I lost it. Everything came to a head, and I lost my cool. We are all under a lot of stress, and I am no different. But like I just said, I have to work on continuing to remind myself to hold it together, and reminding myself to keep a positive attitude in this time of total chaos. No easy task! If I could change that moment, I would.
I continue to keep going out to the Reiflex Center and workout, but it is not the same as going for a run with my friends. Those were great times, and was a way to talk about things going on, and helping to solve problems. The weight workouts help burn off frustrations, but it is not the same.
I went walking multiple times this week to help clear my head. When we had just got rid of all of the snow, it was great. I did not feel like running. I just did not have the energy for it. But the walking got me outside, and gave me a way to relax and think. If you have not done it, you have no idea what you are missing. Give it a try!
Dakota is now 8 months old. She is always ready to go for a walk. Sarah takes her in the mornings, and I have been taking her in the evenings. She is one tired puppy at the end of the day, but she loves to go for her walks. The energy she has, and the excitement she has exploring everything while we are out is contagious. We could all learn a lot from a dog, especially a puppy!
I guess we have to take the bad with the good. Staying positive can be a full time job. I guess I have to realize too that I have weaknesses, and can have moments of losing it as well. I also need to be like everybody else, and learn from those times. How could things have been handled differently? We can always second guess our decisions, and ideas. We definitely need to learn from them so as to not keep repeating the same mistakes.
Attitude truly is everything! Keep reminding yourself of this, just like I am now as well. FOCUS! REPEAT! REPEAT! REPEAT! We all learn better by repetition. Can we make the same mistakes in life along the way? Yes, that is why we are all human as well. Nobody is perfect. How to keep is all together when needed is the secret.
Open up your view of things. All of us can see things differently when looking at the same thing. How we handle it, or deal with is the key. Just like now, with the pandemic going on, it will be a tough road ahead. A lot of stress coming. We all deal with it differently, and we can handle it differently depending on how much we are pushed, or how much things keep building up. Learn from the past, and don’t keep repeating the same mistakes. We can all have a moment of weakness. Strive to keep going, keep pushing…keep striving to survive. And above all else…
What a week! This is just the beginning. Things are changing at a rapid pace, and we have no idea what is yet to come. Everybody is scared. We are all trying to figure what is the right thing to do. The challenge comes in trying to calm down all of the fears. No easy task, especially when there is a coronavirus update every few minutes on the radio or tv, or somewhere. You have to trust those around you, and hope everybody else is following the same precautions. Those of us on the front line are trying to do what we can, but we certainly do not have all of the answers.
Control the things you can control, and try to let go of the things you cannot control. All it does it create more stress and anxiety. For me, this is where the exercise comes into play. I still try to get 30-45 minutes a day to workout, even after working all day. I need an escape. I need some time just for me to get ready to take on the next day.
We have it within us. Keep looking. Don’t give up!
Listen! Keep going! Hold on!
Lean on those close to you. Chances are they are feeling the same. Everybody is under stress. Sarah and I are trying to be in clinic all day and put out whatever fires we still can. The capability of doing telehealth has been huge this week trying to stay in contact with patients, and help them with whatever is going on the best we can, without them having to come into the clinic. There is nothing like trying to figure all of this out on the fly as well, especially when we are trying to figure what is all going on in regards to this pandemic, and the changes and recommendations that continuously change from the CDC.
Keep focusing on this. Keep repeating. Keep praying. Keep doing your part to help slow down the spread of this. Help us that are in the medical field to be available for those that are the sickest. Help us help you. We need everybody to do their part in this if this is going to get under control. We cannot do it alone.
I sat in front of the Lake on Saturday taking a break tying to clear my mind, and forget about everything else. The economy is in disarray. My daughter lost her job this week because of it. But honestly, the economy will turn around after this is done. The main point is that we need to remain healthy. For years I have been talking about the fact we need to Strive to Survive. Now more than ever does this come into play. We need EVERYBODY to do their part so Sarah and I can help do our part, along with all of the rest of the medical community. We are all in this together. It is going to take all of us to get through it. Take those mental breaks, and if nothing else, go for a walk and clear your head. Get ready to take on tomorrow. For me personally, in one more day, I will have reached the one year milestone of consecutive exercise days after my major health issue. I was given time. We all need to appreciate the time we all have. Each day going forward will be a new adventure. Be safe everybody, and in the process, keep moving!
Many things are going on, and the panic is in high gear. Many things we can control, and many other things we cannot. For me, my escape is to go burn off frustration by working out. We are still supposed to be practicing social distancing with everything going on with COVID-19. For me, I have a corner in my garage–The Reiflex Center. My sanctuary at times. It is my time go escape from life, and work out frustrations, and then feel like I am ready to go take on things again. You don’t need to have a special corner in the garage, or in the house. You just need a spot to do some movement, and very easily can incorporate body weight exercises.
Sarah can do her sit ups…
Me doing resistance exercise for my legs by doing wall sits…
Megan doing her side planks…
Me doing pull ups using my TRX bands. You don’t need to have special equipment to do this. You can do them just using the wall, or get down on the floor and do pushups. If you have not done them in the past, you don’t know how tough some of these can be. They are great for building strength though…and for burning off frustrations!
My corner of the garage with some of the equipment I have. Nothing extravagant, but a variety to utilize! My problem solving corner!
It has melted enough outside where much of the trails are clear to use. Go for a walk! You are outside, and still practicing social distancing! Our dogs love it! The last few days have been colder with the wind, but this coming week we will bet back into the 50’s.
Dakota is always ready to lead the way!
There are many reasons to exercise, now more than ever. Here is a list to start with—now more than ever! You can do these exercises at home. No excuse!
We are in unchartered territory for all of us. We need to keep our heads on. Burn off frustrations and fears by doing some activity. Take our minds off of everything for a short time. We need to feel like we are ready to take on things again as they come. Each day brings something else. Be ready to tackle it head on. Keep moving everybody!
Our run club got an early start to celebrating for St. Patrick’s Day today. It makes it especially fun when St. Patrick’s Day is Sarah’s birthday as well. So for a day when we meet as a group to go run, we can dress a little goofy, and forget everything else going on for the moment. It is getting incredibly stressful with all of the hype and hysteria coming about because of the Coronovirus, COVID-19. Keep your head on, be smart, and be extra diligent when it comes to good hygiene and hand washing.
Jill brought treats to celebrate recent birthdays, not only for Sarah, but Amanda and Gavan. And she even brought the sanitary wipes!
We met for coffee afterwards, and continued the celebration. Here I am with Patricia.
You can still have a little enjoyment, but like I said, be smart about it, and be safe. The weather is also improving, so at least sections of the trail are now opening up more, especially with them being plowed earlier, the warm weather is making them clear to be able to use!
Spring is getting closer! Hopefully we will all being able to start enjoying some nice weather amidst everything else going on.
So when all else seems to be chaotic around you, remember what is important. Keep your head on, remain calm, use good judgement, and if you start feeling sick with a fever or cough, stay home and away from others! We need to let this pandemic “run” its course, and hopefully with as little disruption and inconvenience, with good health and safety for all. Strive everyday, and keep moving everybody!
You never stop learning. You never stop gaining experience. You just hope all those years that not only do you appreciate the help you have gained from others, but that you have helped somebody else. I think deep down we all strive for that. It is nice to know that maybe you made a difference to someone. Hopefully someone has made a difference for you as well. When things get tough, whether with trying to keep exercising, or just life in general, find the courage inside of you to keep going!
We all have struggles at one time or another. No question about this! But you need to surround yourself with others who can help you get through those tough times. It is amazing when you do. You begin to realize those times maybe are not so tough after all.
Our run group keeps on running, regardless of the weather. Sundays have now become a significant part of our week. I find it is the energy I need to take on a new week with a renewed outlook. The times we spend after the run can be even better!
Laughing, talking, teaching, learning…each week brings something else. Strive to be better. Never sit back and take things for granted. We don’t know when things will change. Keep pushing. Keep moving. Keep living!
A new mantra for me! Keep striving! The best is yet to come! I have no doubt what so ever that Sarah has been my motivator, my inspiration, my training partner…my wife! I always have a ready to go training partner for a run, or workout.
Utilize the help of those people around you. And, right now, take advantage of this improvement in weather we have been having. It is so much more enjoyable to be outside! It takes patience, discipline, and time. Keep striving for what you want. Baby steps if you need to.
