How are we??

Blah. 

I think we are all starting to feel that way again. Blah seems to be the recurring theme of 2020. We all hoped that maybe this summer would provide a little relief, and it did. Now, we have that March feeling again. I can feel it in my staff, with my friends, and with my family. With the holidays around the corner, which are times we look forward to, we feel this overwhelming sense of gloom that we just can’t seem to shake.

So what do we do? What can we do?

I am a big fan of Dave Chappelle. His stand up comedy is brilliant, and his Saturday night live monologue was thought-provoking and eye-opening. What stuck with me recently was his interview on Dave Letterman's new show where he told Dave,

“While we can’t change the world, we can all make our corner pretty nice.” 

Sometimes, all of our problems are too big or too out of our control. But, we can make small differences in ourselves and others close to us. So how do we get through the next few months? It may be easier for some, and much more difficult for those that were already struggling. We will get through this.

1. My favorite MC core value is, “Everyone that comes in contact with you should have a better day.” Make this effort. Throw someone a wave or squint your eyes really hard, so they know you are smiling through your mask. Tell everyone in your family that you love them, every day, twice a day. Call someone who you have not talked to in a bit and ask them how they are. Yes, guys, you can do this too. Be that force of good and power for those you love. Right now, we all need that.
2. Do something good for someone else. Be generous. Go out of your way (to an extent) for others. Add a little extra tip to that to-go order or hold the door for someone. Pay it forward if you can. Do one thing in your community every day that makes someone else think that maybe we will be ok. 
3. Use this time to take a break. Spend the holidays with your immediate family relaxing and making good memories. Enjoy the fact that you don't have to drive for hours, cook for a small army or clean up after them. Let's use this time to really have a break. Be grateful for the family, warm food, and a comfortable home that you do have. Not all are that lucky. Use the time we have to give and be thankful for what we have. We are always so busy to sit back and reflect. But not this year.
4. Take comfort in the fact that this can not last forever. Think about how next Thanksgiving will be even more special full of family and hugs. One day we just might look back and remember how crazy 2020 was? We can then share our funny quarantine stories and reminisce on that year we spent the holidays in our pajamas all day, relaxing. Think of how many hugs we will give, and how we will talk about how bad the year was, and how we all made it.
5. Stick to a routine that you enjoy. Remember to smile and laugh more. Stick to a solid sleep schedule. Move your body and take breaks when working from home. 

I’ll say this one more time (hopefully)- we are strong, and we can do this again. The world is messy, but it always has been. And it always will be. People are messy. I know I am.

However, our corner, our place where we are right now, it can be pretty nice. No matter how big or how small. So, for all you warriors out there, we need you, in any small way you can. 

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