Not sure if you've heard, but there's this virus going around, and people are having some feelings about it. You know, like pure primal fight or flight panic, rage, existential crisis's, irrational toilet paper hoarding (or is it rational?!), despair, depression, hopelessness etc...
Personally, I have been noticing that I bounce from panic to despair and then straight into warm, fuzzy, feelings about the goodness of people. When I'm in panic or despair, my brain tells me that I’ve always felt this way and I will always feel this way. Free a few weeks of this I finally noticed a pattern to when I am feeling hopeful and when I'm feeling terrible.
Last week I was talking to my therapist about this special I was running where someone could send a friend a bar of soap with an uplifting card and handwritten note. I felt proud to be a part of adding joy and I was so moved by the messages people were sending each other. Funny, sweet, courageous and kind. I realized that I feel good when I'm being of service to others.
Apparently, there's actually science proving the connection between physical and emotional health and helping others! A couple of my favorite people have talked about this phenomenon before:
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”
-Barack Obama
“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
-Maya Angelou
Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.
-Albert Schweitzer
When you see people who are trying to help in some way, please remember that they may be taking care of themselves as much as others, and be kind. It's not our place to judge peoples efforts or effectiveness during a global pandemic.
And if (or when) the panic starts to creep in, throw yourself into service of others. You don't have to do something big. Leave a sweet note for your mail carrier, call someone, post a funny meme, take your dog for a walk. Smile at strangers. Small actions can add meaning to your life.
Tell me something you have done to help others that has helped you feel better. Lets spend more time sharing tips on helpfulness and less on arguing over how much alcohol needs to be in hand sanitizer. (But if you really want to know, read this.)
There is so much good in this world ya'll. I promise. Look around and you'll be amazed at the love humans show each other. I can't wait to hear from you, and keep in touch through all this. We can do hard things. xo
