10 Ways to Shine Your Light in Dark Times
By Allan Weisbard L.C.S.W.
Since 1963, autumn has been a difficult time for me. Two months shy of my 13th birthday I lost my younger brother to cancer, then shortly afterwards, President Kennedy was assassinated.
During this dark time somehow my family, and the country made it through. In the Jewish tradition, I remember lighting a candle for someone who’s passed to help us navigate the darkness.
That year deepened me emotionally and laid the groundwork to my becoming a therapist. Now, as I remember these events of 57 years ago, I realize that’s where I developed my long-standing interest in resilience. We all need adaptability as we patiently make our way through this long, dark winter.
When darkness looms shine your light. I am a train enthusiast, many times I walked through abandoned train tunnels aided only by my flashlight. I’d journey into the heart of the darkness, although it frightened me, I was compelled to turn off the light for just a moment. As soon as I turned the light back on, I had a sense of relief, and easily saw my way to the light at the end of the tunnel.
All of us struggle with darkness, when we make our light shine bright we can dispel the shadows. Here are 10 tips to help you SHINE YOUR LIGHT, even when it feels like you’re in a long, dark tunnel.
Cultivate Healthy Optimism
This perspective can be as simple as remembering to tell yourself, “I will get through this.” To strengthen my resolve, I remember “This too shall pass” as well as the Serenity Prayer.
Clearly Communicate Your Boundaries
Realizing our COVID precautions are not just for ourselves, but a sign of love and respect for family, friends, and community, makes it easier to be firm in our limits. The coronavirus doesn’t own us, we have control over our actions and the risks we choose to take.
Remember Kindness Goes a Long Way
Many of us in our community are having a difficult time financially and emotionally. Are there ways in which you can give to others? A powerful practice is to be kind to somebody every day. Remember to thank those who have done something special for you.
Be Grateful and Appreciative
When I feel down, I find things for which to be thankful. I consider how much more terrifying the 1918 flu must have been for our ancestors. With modern medicine and technology, there is no better time to be living through a pandemic. We have a vaccine on the horizon, video conferencing, movies, and online ordering at our fingertips.
See the Silver Linings
How have you benefited from the new and unexpected perspectives that ‘sheltering in place’ has brought to your life? It’s easy to concentrate on what we have lost. I know that I have gained a more leisurely lifestyle with more time to explore new interests. I have been using a music app that will help me (hopefully) improve my singing. What have you gained? (No weight jokes please).
Challenge Your Pessimistic Thinking
Replace negative, self-limiting thoughts with positive self-talk. Focus on what went right instead of what went wrong. What are some of the changes the pandemic has brought to your life that you appreciate? Find something that can bring you joy each day. Appreciate fresh air, foliage, clouds etc.:
Maintain a Sense of Awe
A sense of awe is valuable for getting through hard times. A walk in the woods, gardening or watching nature-oriented shows is soothing. A recent study showed that those who participate in walks actively seeking out moments of awe, increase their positive emotions and decrease distress.
Maintain Social Connection While Physical Distancing
Many people have re-connected with friends and relatives utilizing zoom. A continued sense of social bonds is a key to happiness. Is there someone you can reach out to?
Curate Your Exposure to the News and Social Media
Find some good news, it’s out there! Share with others the optimistic stories you have found. Feel free to take a news sabbatical. Read news articles from different sections of the paper such as science, health, or book reviews.
Imagine Positive, Joyful Outcomes
Make a positive Post-Pandemic Plan for yourself. I have travel in mind, but I am truly looking forward to visiting friends and family, without worrying about COVID. What are some of the activities you are looking forward to? Inside the word emergency is the root word emerge. How do you want to emerge differently from this crisis/opportunity?
I encourage you to choose a couple of ideas from this list and give them a try. I’m optimistic that when you do, it will strengthen your resilience. If you are still having trouble getting your light to shine, reach out to a friend or a professional for help.
Allan Weisbard is a licensed clinical social worker who counsels his patients to reduce stress while increasing their resilience. Check out his website at www.HealthyOptimism.com to read tips on how to become more resilient.
More Co-op News
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Here’s how it works.
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With all the local products that we offer, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But that’s exactly what we asked our staff to do. Here are some of their go-to local eats.
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How often can you browse the shelf at your neighborhood grocery store, see a bottle of hand crafted, local cider and say, “Hey, I help make that!” Well, at the Co-op you can.
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Many of us wait all year for this moment. We spend the winter months dreaming of a certain fuzzy stone fruit, its sweet juices dripping from our face and the buttery golden pie crust those yellow-orange slices will inhabit.
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2017 Board Election Results
We're Sustainability Stars!
Deep in our hearts we've always known we were sustainability stars, but now we have an award to prove it.
We recently received a Co+efficient Sustainability Star award from National Co-op Grocers (NCG) recognizing our positive environmental and community impacts.
Co+efficient, NCG’s sustainability program, measures social, environmental and local economic impacts from participating food co-ops across the country.
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Did you know that approximately half of our landfill waste stream is composed of Deli trash? A significant part of that is “to-go” containers, which are sometimes used for dining in and don’t end up “going” very far at all.
Sustainability matters in everyday actions and we want you, our customers, to help us reduce unnecessary waste and make the most ecologically sound choices possible.
Participate in YOUR Co-op!
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Some of you might remember the logo above from our newsletter in the early 1980s.
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