Women Growing  Older Gracefully 

Sounds great, but since we live in the real world, can you take charge of your life when you’re already up to your eyeballs with the Covid virus and all its inconveniences?

After all, you can’t meet with friends and family as you have in the past. There’s no church, no volunteer work, no spa or swim in the public pool, no lunch dates, attending sports events or enjoying movies and theatre. not even school for the children.

Online connections can only go so far.

Many seem okay with adjusting to the “new normal, for now, but we’re still struggling with nerves to make sense to these unprecedented changes to lifestyle and its threats to this economy and our own safe keeping.

Some have chosen to “let it go” and not be concerned about being cooped up. They feel it is not dreadful, after all, and would rather slow down at home, staying busy. Others have trouble adapting and can turn out to be lonely and forgotten.

We’re all different, and life goes on, whether you do or not. Since we have the power to choose our own way, a larger challenge seems to be whether you choose to take charge of your life or will allow the winds of fate to take charge for you.

Taking on a band of courage may call for a few personal changes during these stressful periods. Today may be a marvelous point in time to stay more focused. It will not only help you retain your vitality and stamina, but better outcomes will occur in spite of this pandemic. You might ask:

1. What are you doing with all your extra time? Are you binge-watching Netflix or Disney+, creating art, writing, sleeping?

2. How are you keeping up with your social activities, friends, relationships?

3. How are you feeling about the world and how it has changed because of the pandemic?

Designing your best life is a powerful concept. The roadmap will look a little different for everyone as each must follow their own unique path. Coach John Wooden, in his book, The Pyramid of Success, developed four blocks to success; self-control, alertness, initiative, and intentness. He stressed the importance of self-control and said, "practice self-discipline and keep emotions under control. Good judgment and common sense are essential."

So, remember to be kind to yourself. In the meantime, here’s to living and loving your new resilient life! May it serve you well!