What day is it? and letting go of DESTRUCTIVE worry....

Hooping & TRX - I will get back to it! I am missing my classes and looking forward connecting with you! However I can! 

The HOME TEAM keeping me focused and not stressed! My motivation to NOT worrying my days away.

The WHOLE gang. Christmas 2019 with the kids/grand children. family in Chicago. Sending safe, distancing and be well vibes.

Good Morning - Today is April 2nd, 2020 and it is Thursday. I actually had to look up, what day of the week we were on, because I have lost all sense of time being at home with the whole family. The Covid-19 Pandemic has turned life upside-down. Our schedules are limited and home based. This is causing all of us to look at the world in a new way and to work differently. My husband works from home and his business is changing with his client environments changing, even if he is not shifting his desk. He works as a recruiter in the IT field with a focus in the Chicago market. Our Illinois employees are now working from home. This changes some tasks and business needs, so we are finding solutions. No longer teaching fitnesses classes where I live in Florida, I have more desks time and that has been an adjustment for me. So far, I am about 5 pounds heavier (sadly) and I have likely spent hours of time worrying (sadder). Worrying is a whole lot of wasted time, I might add. And finally, my daughter, a high school senior, has just returned to her final quarter of high school... online. Likely no prom, awards banquets, art shows, senior "GradBash", or graduation, or even any graduation parties. I would say we are all managing our new NOT normal fairly well, but it comes with a fair amount of living day to day.  

Yesterday was pretty much the first cry I have had over all of this. And I consider that good, since I was running on fear and anxiety for the last few weeks. Crying, I consider a good shift in how I am feeling today. The cry was prompted watching my daughter cry as she read the announcement of the complete closure of my her rowing team's site to everyone. For weeks, as a coxswain she has not attended practice, since only single boats were going out on the water, the club was following all safety guidelines and was the last of anything normal still happening. With the "Stay at Home," for Florida announced until the end of April (likely longer) the club had no choice but to close. It seemed to be my tipping point as I watched my daughter really cry for the first time in all of this. 

My husband shared a column by Harvey Mackey this morning, which really hit me to the core - (https://harveymackay.com)
Harvey started his email today with; One of my favorite “Peanuts” cartoons describes Charlie Brown and Linus sitting on a bench.  The caption reads, “Worrying won’t stop the bad stuff from happening; it just stops you from enjoying the good.” Harvey went on to talk about how harmful worry is, and the benefits of assessing where you are, and planning for difficult times. Accepting challenges, but letting go of worry. As a person with Multiple Sclerosis, I believe that worry is not good for me (or anyone). I also know that "worry" can consume me. I struggle with worry in fairly good times, think of how I have been operating in a Pandemic! UGH. 

Today because of my husband's willingness to share, I am putting my plan into place to add a Zoom Class to my life on Fridays and get back to being with people. As I woke up today I was already moving to that mindset. Finding joyfulness in my day; I am actually grateful that I am not running around juggling fitness work with my recruiting work. I have been more on the font lines of office lately and I am enjoying that connect with Rich. Don't misread that comment my fitness friends - I MISS MY CLASSES! I am grateful I am seeing so much of Cas and that she is actually fairly calm as the end of her senior year is not at all what we had anticipated it would be. Up until now, Cas was a blur running in and out of the house to school and crew. She would leave with backpacks loaded for each, with a long day and many accomplishments in-between, before she walked back in the door for dinner.  
And finally Coco Bean our dog deserves a shout out too. She is 2 years old and confused as to why we are all home, but super happy about it. She is really shaggy and is going to stay that way until we can venture out to the groomer again. I tried my hand at trimming her up and it is fair to say - Fitness is a better career choice for me. 

Today I am saying a giant, THANK YOU to my husband for being Mr. Half Full, and to my daughter for inspiring me.  Over the last few weeks they have remained calm and found joy in their new circumstances. And not having senior spring really stinks from the eyes of a college bound 17 year old. I am proud of you, Cas! And I am going to thank my shaggy, cute dog for making me smile.  

I have to go because with less worry to do today, I have more time to be creative setting up tomorrow's class, work with the recruiting business  and  smile more because today I am lucky to be with my family and I have things to focus on!