Making Lemonade Out of Lemons
For coming up on 2 years now (in March), we have all been making our way through this pandemic. How have you been making lemonade out of the lemons?
I recently dropped my parents off at the airport as they were leaving for a much needed respite to Hawaii with their dear friends of over 50 years. After we said our goodbyes, I noticed a sweet little family pulling out car seats from their trunk and they all had matching Mickey Mouse jackets on.
I noticed the excitement their kids were experiencing and the anticipation to go on an airplane and how nice it probably was for them to be able to travel. As the dad quickly moved the luggage to the curb, the mom grabbed their matching Minnie baseball caps. It was so cute to see this little family all matched up and ready to go on their trip together.
It made me think of what it may have been like for them and what their story was during the last two years. Were they worried about money? Did the thought of survival touch them in any way? Were both parents working from home or were they on unemployment? How did covid impact them?
No matter what circumstances we were all under during this past two years – how did you dig deeper and find your own resilience? How did you squeeze lemonade out of lemons?
Just like the characters of Mickey and Minnie and the value behind Disneyland – “to make people happy” and eternal “optimism”, the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is an idea that encourages optimism and a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
So – how can you shift your mental state to a more uplifting state of mind, even in the midst of what seems like ground hogs day? Is there one thing you can do to make your day a bit brighter?
Here are a few ideas to keep in mind that have helped me during this pandemic:
Get outside: Even if the weather is a bit stormy, nature has a way of cheering you up. Breath in the fresh air with some deep belly breaths. Hike. Walk.
Sit with your back against a tree: According to the book, The Secret Therapy of Trees: Harness the Healing Energy of Forest Bathing and Natural Landscapes – “Studies have shown that increased exposure to green space can result in a regulated heartbeat, lowered blood pressure, reduced aggressiveness, improved memory skills and cognitive function, and a healthier immune system.”
Meditate: Sitting in stillness even 10 minutes a day can greatly improve your state of mind. I highly recommend the Calm app.
Adopt a puppy or kitten: Everyone knows that animals reduce stress. I can attest to that as I adopted my pup in Jan, 2021 and I call him my 2020 gift because he was born that year.
Movement: Moving your body in some way, whether it’s yoga or dancing in your living room with the music turned way up.
Somehow this song crossed my path last year and I think it’s just great. It kind of sums it all up!
The Keep Going Song (The Bengsons)
Lisa Schneiderman is a UO member who helps people raise awareness for causes and positive messages that uplift humanity to a higher state of being. Website: schneidermanpr.com
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