Google headlines: SF, NY declare health emergencies over monkeypox outbreak. More people are wearing masks again, hoping to protect against the newest COVID variant, BA.5, as others start lining up for monkeypox vaccinations. Frustrated, hot, angry at gas pump prices and a radical right Supreme Court, as well as appalled over a seemingly endless war in the Ukraine, has put many Americans back on edge. Not all of them, and certainly not enough to get the U.S. and/or the world to change its reckless behavior.
The only good news I have heard lately is that Attorney General Merrick Garland is investigating Trump and his connection to the January 6 attack on the Capitol building. Unfortunately, Mr. Garland’s investigation will not be like Mr. Mueller’s investigation of previous Trump malfeasance, which amounted to no substantial consequences for anyone, and it took forever to conclude.
Friends trying to live their lives find themselves turned around by an unexpected serious fall, or a case of COVID while on a long awaited family vacation. I call that an unexpected left turn. Life tends to be full of them, and they can really derail a person’s ability to function and/or cope with our world today. I generally lose a few pounds since my go-to crazed behavior is to stop eating, but then I tend to right myself and sail on. How long we, or the planet, can weather the oncoming storms remains to be seen.
Developing resilience may be at least part of the answer. According to www.mindtools.com, legend has it that Thomas Edison made thousands of prototypes of the incandescent light bulb before he finally got it right. And, since the prolific inventor was awarded more than 1,000 patents, it’s easy to imagine him failing on a daily basis in his lab at Menlo Park. Also, a Google search results in links that claim that you can develop resilience by having a good sleep routine, trying out a new exercise, or using physical relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. The Mindtools site claims that by practicing thought awareness, resilient people don’t let negative thoughts derail their efforts. Instead, they consistently practice positive thinking and take positive action.
On Linked in I found an image which referred to resilience as the rubber ball factor. “Life is not about how fast you run, how much money you earn or how many levels you rise up the ladder – but about how well you bounce.” https://www.linkedin.com
Bounce on!
Carole J. Garrison 