04/08/2020
It's easy to let times of struggle and adversity push us off course and send us into a tail spin, and I can remember very few times when life has gotten more challenging and uncertain than it is right now. Though, it's in times like these when it becomes even more important to stay healthy, active, and engaged.
We had no choice over the circumstances that we all find ourselves in right now. How we react and respond to these circumstances, however, is very much our choice. Disregard the things we have no control over. It doesn't matter, there's nothing we can do about them anyway. And obsessing over the things that are beyond our control only serves to waste our energy, and increases the likelihood that we will fall back into habits of victimization and self pity. Instead, set your focus on the things you do control. Attitude, perspective, actions.
I see this time as a tremendous opportunity. An opportunity to finally invest some time bettering myself. An opportunity to set new goals, to accomplish new tasks, to learn a new skill, to check some things off of that bucket list. The tools are all around us, and right at our fingertips if we're willing to expand our perspective and think different.
Maybe you can dust off that bike that's been sitting in the shed. Or pick up that guitar that's been left all alone in the corner of the spare room the last few years.... Yes, I'm speaking from experience. 😕
Learn to cook, or learn a new recipe. Then plan and prepare some healthy meals. Or start an exercise regimen—You don't have to be at the gym to get in a good workout. Connect with somebody wanting to make similar changes in their life, and commit to hold each other accountable. With FaceTime, Zoom.com, or Facebook video chat you don't even have to break the social distancing rule to check in with one another face to face.
Pick up a book! Get something that will contribute to your journey of self betterment. It's just as important to take care of your mind as it is your body. The right books are a great way to do that. I always like "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olsen as my number one go to.
Of course, YouTube is always a good source for learning tools if you're willing to wade through the pool to the deep end. I've been taking an iPhone programming course from "CodewithChris" that's been really great for a beginner like me. But whatever your interest, you can bet somebody's produced a YouTube tutorial for it.
And Udemy is offering a slew of free learning courses right now to help people get through this isolation. I've purchased a number of courses from Udemy in the past that have been really fantastic, and these free programs, while perhaps a bit shorter in length, still appear to be nothing less than that experience. There's some great offerings on health and self improvement skills, as well as a number of other topics. You can check those out here.
https://www.udemy.com/courses/free/?p=11
I've also been spending some time on DuoLingo. it's a free service for learning foreign languages. And they have a bunch! French, Spanish, German—all the other usual suspects, of course. But maybe Scottish Gaelic is more your speed. It could be you'd like to explore more native roots with Hawaiian or Navajo. Or perhaps you've always wanted to learn Klingon. Yep! They've got it! Check them out at www.DuoLingo.com 🖖
What are you some things that you're doing to keep yourself Healthy? Active? Engaged? We'd love it if you could share the ideas that you've had here in the comments. Perhaps if others can draw from what you are doing, it will inspire them with an idea of something they can do for themselves.
Stay safe. Stay Healthy. And keep your heads up.
And we'll see you all on the battlefield!
"Si vales, valeo."
Learn languages by playing a game. It's 100% free, fun, and scientifically proven to work.
