Wednesday, May 27, 2020

STAY SAFE! 
Rainbows of hope can be seen in
countless windows these days and
even on the ground like this one by
young Alex Jackman. They remind
us that faith is always in season!


Wednesday, May 20, 2020

A New Normal Spring
For several weeks as we lived the new reality of a pandemic, our actions have been and still are altered in ways we never expected. Many people have been finding it difficult, if not totally depressing, to live in that changed world.
           Talking on the phone to a relative a few days ago she told me she makes an effort to walk outside every day to fight depression. Because she lives alone she tries to talk to people she sees while keeping the necessary social distancing. She says it helps her see the light at the end of the tunnel. But she added that spring is starting to make her realize that the world will get better and be brighter.
           I can only agree. Today, as I was walking along the lake where I live I had to marvel at how quickly our world has come alive. Just a few weeks ago we had snow that, fortunately, quickly melted. That gave way to what I call the brown season, the dull almost lifeless look of nature before the sun has a chance to warm things up. That was certainly the case two weeks ago and I couldn’t wait to see green.  I got my wish as, almost overnight, lawns are once again showing off their green blades in the warming sun. Close to my house the dark red shoots of the peonies, seemingly growing an inch a day, are rushing to be able to display their large blooms for everyone to admire.
All the while buds on trees are bursting at the seam. Before we know it, the leaves will all be out and with us for the whole coming summer.
Our world may have changed and we may be facing a new normal, but nature will never let us down. It will always renew itself and give us hope of  better days ahead.


Wednesday, May 13, 2020

After, Before
The media is commenting more and more on the way the world will function after the pandemic. The signs are everywhere that people will continue to keep themselves safe as the world reopens and that social distancing will be with us for a while after the virus is under control, or as under control as it can be.
            The world of after, that’s where the hope lies right now. We all dream of the day after the pandemic when we no longer need to fear our neighbors, our friends and even our family. When the world will no longer be a source of anxiety but rather an easy place to maneuver as it was before.
In the coming years people will look with nostalgia on the life we knew before. Young people will age and instruct their children on the world of before and after the pandemic, just like their ancestors recounted the before and after of wars.
            One thing that is clear is that the current pandemic has taught us how vulnerable older members of society can be and how many faced a lack of respect in senior residences. I predict that this will be a segment of society that will benefit after the pandemic. After all, those making the decisions right now realize full well that they too will reach their golden years faster than they ever realized. I see the end result as being more attention paid to those who have spent their lives building the world of before, a world where we grew, where we thrived.
            The world of after should evolve to be one where lessons learned in dark times will carry us to a better future, especially for those of us--all of us--who are aging.
At least let’s hope

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Crisis and Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is especially essential to be aware of its importance during the unprecedented crisis we are currently living. It not difficult to believe that everyone’s mental health is affected one way or another at this point in time. Especially older members of society who live alone.
            Most of us are in lockdown or in quarantine with little real social interaction outside the home. Those who live alone can talk to their children and grandchildren on the phone or visit with them via video calls. It’s enjoyable, but it does not truly replace visiting with them in their home and embracing them. A virtual embrace lacks a certain warmth, don’t you think?
            The result is that it’s easy for people to feel sorry for themselves and sink into depressing thoughts. That’s why taking steps so that our mental health remains robust is important, experts say. There are many ways of accomplishing this, of course.
            Despite health issues, a friend of mine who lives alone never misses to walk the length of her long condo balcony for fifteen minutes every morning. She exercises and takes deep breaths in the fresh air to help her make the most of the rest of the day. She is following a simple pattern that has positive results. We all know that physical exercise is an essential element in good mental health. So even if we are in isolation, it does not mean that we cannot go for a walk every day if we minimize the risk of interacting with people who might have the virus by keeping six feet away from anyone we encounter.
            It has been suggested that we should not compare ourselves to others however I believe that in this time of crisis we should make an effort to be grateful for our own situation because many people are suffering so much more than we are. It should make us see the positivity in our own isolation state which is, after all, only temporary. We should not forget to remind ourselves that the world will again soon be back on track.
            Another way towards mental health is meditation. Even if we do it only a few minutes at a time, the benefits accumulate for the mind as well as for the body. It renews us and helps us avoid anxious thoughts that should have no place in our lives.
            Avoiding loneliness and the fear it can engender can certainly be achieved by keeping busy with a hobby or another outlet. Something as simple as trying new recipes or putting some order in long-neglected closets and drawers can bring a welcome sense of accomplishment. The idea is to keep busy. 
            Keep well and smile.