"Pushing the Reset Button-Part Three...and then some..."

"One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest."  - Maya Angelou

 

If I was a gambler, I would gamble on nature and Darwin's "Survival of the Fittest" to understand and help carry us through this global pandemic.  "Fittest" meaning those who will not be stubborn and adhere to the precautions that are mandated until further notice.  This, this is not a time to be stubborn.  This is a time to look after our loved ones and ourselves.

A few years ago, (seems like an eternity has passed) I was forced to change everything.  Well, mostly everything and now as I observe the events surrounding all of us, I now have even more gratitude than I had years ago.  My vision has not changed.   My weight is now based on a regimine of healthy foods, herbs and supple ments.  I go to my doctor when I am supposed to go.  My right eye is "status quo" and that's a very good thing to hear.   My dental hygenist says I am getting "too thin."  Really?  You pleaded with me for ages to change.  I changed and then some.  Of course this came NOT from my primary doctor.  As long as I have no aches and pains, get the appropriate annual tests, he is very satisfied. "The reset button" continues to remain in my view. When I go see him, I jump on that scale instead of dreading it.  You can not stop the changes you are determined to make.  When you start, you start and continue no matter what comes in your way.  This brings me to work through other observations.

Longevity is not a given.  My sisters and I were having a discussion about this the other day.  We were discussing what constitutes being "elderly."  My older sisters jokingly reminded me that next year, "I will be among the elderly."    I am fortunate though, that I can say that. My sisters, being wise,  are far from being "elderly" and so, indeed I feel the same.  It's an age.  It's a number. We walked over two miles the day we had that discussion.  We've walked more than that to be sure.  My sisters are active, talented, and have so many interests that I am forever in amazement.   They understand the "reset button."  They have always understood the reset button and now I understand it's importance.  Again, I am grateful.

As I watch the news, I wonder just how many Americans understand that the one given to heal us during this time is love and kindness.  How do we prevent the very worst in us from surfacing? I was at the grocery store this week and the cashiers and other store employees were so kind and gracious and yes, some of them looked very tired too.  The same went for employees at the pharmacy; so unbelievably kind but again, tired.  There were long lines at the bank.  We are all fighting this virus whether we have it or not. The one thing though that will be our downfall is our lack of patience.  Some have a higher threshhold than others for handling crises. For those people, we need to be more patient and more kind.  It's a proven way of promoting change.  I have never learned anything when someone has been nasty or brash or rude.  I shut down and I suspect that is the case for many.  This is not a time for us to shut down or look the other way.  What we do and how we do it matters now more than ever.  

One final thought .  "Pushing the reset button" is not political.  We still have our say and we should use that freedom with civility.  Health first.  Your health, my health...we are nothing if we are weakened.  We are not living in a plastic bubble.  We evolve and grow organically just like every other living organism.  As I get older,  I understand how important it is to be grateful when I can thrive.  I can get up without pain, or heartache.  I can love without any regret.  I can be truthful and find the pride in the bravery that requires.  Those who have stayed in my life will be there till the end.  How lucky and how fortunate that we have those people in our lives.  The rest, those who chose not to, they have their separate foundations.  We will get to the other side of this crises.  I suspect many will be pushing their own "reset buttons" as they find new respect for what their bodies can do for them and hopefully, what their bodies can do for others.