Is it possible to give thanks during Covid?
In spite of my lofty goals and idealism, I am a complainer, at heart. Gaining a pound, being too tired to finish my workout, seeing someone without a mask (Okay, let's not go there!)—these are just a few of my frustrations.
First-world problems, I know, but how can I complain the way I really want to without being that Karen everyone wants to avoid? Seriously! To varying degrees, COVID has knocked all of us off balance. Would a little kvetching (Yiddish for complaining) be so terrible? When we open up about our negative feelings, it reduces their intensity. And, we might even find out we're not the only ones over-focusing on that stupid bathroom scale. Kvetching can really bring people together!
Ordinary gripes notwithstanding, we're all bombarded with truly heart-wrenching news every day. So many of us are suffering from COVID, enduring dire financial circumstances, facing painful isolation—or all of the above. While it's imperative that we reach out to those in need, we also must navigate our own anxieties.
Distractions can go a long way in staying focused on what's good in life. Painting, knitting, online-tutoring, and spending time with friends are some of my top picks for letting the sunlight in.
But, sometimes, when I'm really afraid, it can take a few hours or a good night's sleep for that knot in my belly to finally loosen. So, I pray, and I wait. The key is to believe I will regain my footing, even if it's not immediate. And this keeps me in a space of gratitude.
This year I've learned that it is possible to stay positive. All we have to do is decide to be thankful, even if it's for relief we simply believe will come. And, in these dark and uncertain times, it's a choice we need to make over and over again. When I remember to make that choice, my spirits stay high—no matter how many people I see without masks!
My prayer for all of you, my friends, as we approach Thanksgiving, is that you find thankfulness and peace in these turbulent times. Go ahead and kvetch—it's good for you! But remember that it's always darkest before the dawn. So choose joy.
