It’s hard to believe it has already been over a year since the world changed in ways we never dreamed possible. Although it’s been interesting with a lot of upheaval, anger and hostility, it’s also been somewhat peaceful…at least for me. I’ve spent some of my time at our lake home, where things are much more laid back and there is a sense of calm. Don’t get me wrong, like many others, I have experienced plenty of negative emotions and grief from things being canceled, mask mandates and the restrictions for churches, gyms, restaurants and other places. Unfortunately, we all have our own stories to tell that have brought us down. Maybe you lost your job, have been separated from a loved one, lost your sense of purpose or something else. It’s not surprising many people have felt sad or depressed. The good news is amongst all the sadness that has been around us, there have been sunny days.

“Oh I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end. I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.”

The other week, while heading up to the lake, I heard the song, Fire and Rain on the radio. I don’t know if you are familiar with it, but the song was written by James Taylor in 1970…much simpler times indeed. While the song is a story about some of life’s ups and downs, hearing the words today gave me hope. It’s easy to get stuck in our sorrows and focus on the doom and gloom. Let’s face it, we’ve all had our lives disrupted and many things we’ve taken for granted have been left by the wayside.

“Oh I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end. I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.”

Some have had to adjust to working from home, or not at all. While some individuals may have seen this as a blessing, others have struggled and may have had a hard time adjusting to their circumstances. Many people have felt down and missed the camaraderie of fellow co-workers. Other people have felt isolated having to spend much more time at home. And still others have missed their family or friends and talking on the telephone just isn’t the same as connecting in person.

One of the things I’ve missed most is being able to gather at church normally. Another thing I’ve missed is having the freedom to exercise comfortably at a gym or attend a yoga class without wearing a mask. The good news is many people have found ways to adjust. Many people have re-connected with their family and have found fun things to do at home. Many families are cooking and baking, playing games and eating more home cooked meals together.

Many people have also discovered ways to exercise at home. It’s funny how many families I see taking a walk together outside now. While I’ve missed my yoga classes, I started watching some exercise videos on You Tube that have helped me stay balanced. Hopefully you have found a way to you stay fit, whether playing tag with your kids, dancing, jumping on a trampoline or something else. There are many options to help keep you positive. Keep in mind that having a positive attitude has a tremendous affect not only on how you feel and your health but helps you send out positive vibes to others.

What are you doing to stay positive?

“I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end. I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.”

Thanks for reading!

Barb

P.S. Here’s the Fire and Rain You Tube video I thought you might enjoy.

Source:
James Taylor. You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbD7lfrsY2s