Yes, these are unprecedented times.
I never thought I would be adding a page to this website on a virus that would sweep across the world, impacting humans in every sector of society. The numbers of people reported as sick, dying, and that are presumed to become ill, before the end of this pandemic, is staggering. System-wide collapse of medical institutions buckling under the weight of this disease seems inevitable.
Yet, we have been charged with ways to help ease this burden – flatten the curve – and help our communities. Those of us in animal welfare have seen the masses of people come out to assist our shelters by fostering and adopting animals. There is a silver lining to all of the fear that has been raised and the unknown.
Through my coaching, I have become more discerning in my use of language. An example is the creation of key power phrases and words that trigger action or thoughts. These are words that remind me to stay present, be still, or view a particular situation in a certain way.
Consider these power phrases.
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STOP
We are all stopping. Stopping driving. Stopping traveling. Stopping social interactions. Stopping shopping and unnecessary spending. Where we had been busy with the external, we now have an opportunity to draw that same attention inside.
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RESET
We have this time to reset our activities. Reset our processes. Reset our personal goals. Reset our lives. This is an opportunity in disguise. For animal welfare organizations, it is a time to implement those processes that had been pushed off. For our personal lives, it’s a time to pick up the ukulele and learn how to play. Sew masks for PPE. Make hand sanitizer.
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IMAGINE
Imagine ideas you had put aside as silly. Imagine new possibilities. New connections. Imagine creating a future that includes placing our environment, our animal-cohabitants, and future generations at the forefront when guiding policy. What does this pandemic tell us about the interrelated nature of the world? How are we helping people worldwide in ways we had never conceived before?
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CONNECT
Connect with our families in close quarters. Every day. Working together from home. Taking homeschooling to another level or seeing the possibility in schooling our children in new ways, even after this crisis ends. Connecting with friends via video calls whom we have not seen in months or even years. Connecting via messaging apps to our friends globally.
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BREATHE
This is a time to be grateful. Grateful for what we have. For our family and friends. For the food we have. For the roof we may have over our heads. For the amazing teams of people we work with who are banding together to save animals, help people, protect the environment, and dispel negative energy. Now is the time to start a meditation practice. A mindfulness exercise. A journal.
As we proceed through these upcoming weeks, I imagine I will add to this list. Perhaps write more when the inspiration occurs. I encourage all of you to find your own ways to keep hope, love, and peace front and center during this challenging time.