If you can relate to the couple on the right, read on.
So this has been a fun spring, right? Perhaps you're feeling like you're stuck in neutral... that you haven't made progress in any area of your life since, oh, Presidents' Day. I think we can all relate.
First, a little backstory on the above photo: my husband Eddie and I were visiting Ottawa, Canada a few years back, accompanied by his sister and brother-in-law. Having previously been assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa for three years, I was designated as official tour guide and chauffeur for our little group. It had been a decade since I had been in the city, but I felt confident that I could walk/ drive/ guide the group to points of interest. I was completely unaware that a giant sinkhole -- just a day before we arrived! -- had opened in the city center. Suddenly, the route of which I was so sure hours before was no longer accessible. I had to find a different route, a way around the sinkhole, if I wanted to get my group to the renowned RCMP Musical Ride Sunset Ceremony. (Note: This has been canceled for 2020, but I highly recommend putting it on your list for summer 2021.) I panicked, as is my way while driving, and accidentally took the bridge out of the province of Ontario and into the province of Quebec. My group thought it was all part of the fun, but I knew that I had just made a painful detour that would involve U-turns and 20 minutes of profanity to get back on track. End result: We did arrive in time and thoroughly enjoyed the Ride (but perhaps not the ride!).
Covid-19 is our giant sinkhole right now. We can choose to stay frozen in place, or we can teach ourselves to go around it. In a panic, you may be tempted to "wait it out" before resuming any of your life's goals. But I would encourage you to drive on!
Motivational section of this email:
"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh
"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." - Robert Collier
"Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still." - Chinese proverb
"Do small things with great love." - Mother Theresa
"One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time." - John Wanamaker
Did that convince you to get moving? If not, here are some ideas.
Cook something. Yesterday, my husband decided to purchase the ingredients for, and prepare not one, but three classic Puerto Rican dishes (after not cooking any of them for years). Go big or go home, right? They didn't turn out as well as his mother's cooking, but they were good. And the next time he makes them, they'll be even better. When men cook, it's messy, so my husband wears an apron embroidered with my father's favorite saying, "It'll make a nice sandwich." You can order one here for just $15, tax and shipping included.
Grow flowers and food. There is something so satisfying about planting and growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables. With a small amount of effort, you end up with something tangible, beautiful, edible. We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, chard, and zucchini in our container garden; I look forward to spiralizing the cucumbers and zucchini once they mature this summer. But don't use a $10 handheld spiralizer -- I always end up shaving off a fingernail -- but rather select one with a crank such as this one.
Renew your zest for your vocation. Those who know me know that I have two vocations: I work as a crime analyst two days a week at the District Attorney's Office, and I dedicate four days a week to Legacy Estate Organizing. A contractor in the first position and self-employed in the second, both of my revenue streams were turned off by stay-at-home orders beginning in late March. By the time I was permitted back to my analyst job (eight weeks later), I was so darn eager to get back into criminal investigations. My enthusiasm might have been a little over the top -- think Will Ferrell in "Elf" enthusiastic. I guess absence really DOES make the heart grow fonder.
If considering your own mortality during the pandemic has persuaded you to finally organize your life and legacy, please consider ordering a digital or binder version of My Life Packet (for which I am an authorized reseller). You can work through the MLP on your own, OR you can sign up for a virtual, small-group session conducted live. (Private coaching sessions are also available.) Virtual sessions are being scheduled for the month of June -- click on the appropriate button, below, to purchase.
