Journaling for myself is so much more then writing my thoughts down or what my day has been like. It is literally almost an essential for me to feel good about myself. I get to empty out all the thoughts that I have. I get to put them on paper/computer and really see what is going on in that head of mine. It is beyond cathartic to me and I truly see it as one of my tools to keeping myself healthy. Gratitude journals are one of the ways of reminding yourself what you have and that there is always something to be grateful for. A healthy mind makes a healthy body has never been so true.
With the pandemic happening world-wide, I can only imagine the amount of people in this world who have been struggling simply because they have lost their sense of purpose. A sense of purpose seems to be one of the most important things that every human needs to feel. Whether this sense of purpose is being a loving mother, a great co-worker or boss, an amazing brother or sister, whether you find it through your work such as being a nurse or a doctor or even simply a fast food worker, understanding that we all have a purpose and finding what your true purpose is, is essential to having a healthy mind. It may be through work, through family, through friendship or even through hobbies or charity, it is essential to have a purpose.
I am aware that because of this Co-Vid pandemic that over a million Canadians applied for ODSP or some form of benefits and that tells me that there are a lot of people who have been struggling because of this. The simple fact that we are being told to isolate is the exact opposite of what people need mentally but I of course understand why it is being done. With that being said we all need human contact and this virus is causing so many of us to spend time alone with ourselves. In one way this could be seen as a benefit because it will actually get people to learn how to be alone. Luckily for myself, because of my addiction history and that I was in Jail for 2 years, I learned how to be by myself and to truly love myself. This was not easy and it took a lot of work and reorganizing of my mind and beliefs. This is something that I am sure a lot of people are now figuring out how to do. Learning how to be happy and be alone is an actual struggle I believe for the majority of us.
Before this all started, I actually got into meditating and I believe this has been one of the most beneficial things I have ever done in my life. Learning how to simply sit still and simply be with your own thoughts can be difficult for many people. Along with the NA groups and recovery groups that I use to be a part of, meditation is up there on my list of the things that allowed me to overcome my addiction demons. I would be a liar if I said I did not miss those groups and that I wasn’t hoping they open up again as soon as possible. It has been a bit of a struggle for myself not having the meetings to go to and I am sure a lot of recovering addicts have been feeling this. There are online Zoom meetings but there is something to be said about being in person and actually being in a room with other people. The intimacy and personal connection that is felt in person in my experience is not the same as it is through the internet meetings but at the same time I am grateful that they do exist. Thank God or whichever power you choose that technology has allowed us to be able to stay connected through this whole ordeal. We always must try and find the bright side or the beneficial things that are happening when catastrophe strikes.
So many health care workers have been putting their lives on the line during this and we truly owe them gratitude. Not only the health care workers but all those who have continued to work through this and supply people with essentials. Ambulance drivers, police, doctors, grocery store workers, nurses, pharmacy workers and everyone who works in the health care system as well as all those who have been working behind the scenes that have allowed the world to continue moving forward are truly the heroes of the current times. As much as this virus has been forcing us to isolate, we always must remain hopeful and try and look at the good that is being generated from this. It is true that when times get tough, the tough get going. When times get tough, we see who the true heroes of this world are and this could not be any truer than right now. My gratitude and prayers go out to all those who have been putting their lives on the line.
One thing that I have learned through my life is that there is always something to be grateful for and what I am grateful for right now is how everyone seems to pull together during times like this. The world did not go into chaos. Riots did not start. People are pulling together and doing what they can to ensure that we all get through this. Times like this make all of us stronger. I am sure we all wish on some level that this wasn’t happening but there is always a reason for everything even if it is not so obvious right now. We all must take this as a learning experience and to be grateful for our fellow humans and the fact that we have all stuck together through this. Miracles do happen on a daily basis and all of these first responders and doctors are examples of this. They are in the flesh angels. I am hopeful that the worst of it is over especially seeing how on Tuesday Canada entered into its first phase of re-opening the economy. We all should be grateful that we have made it through this and those of us who have lost loved ones to it, my condolences go out to you. This has reached out and touched all of our lives in one way or another and difficult times only make us stronger when we stick together.
