Social isolation – a moment to practice gratitude!

Gratitude instead of ruthlessness!

In times of fear and not knowing what comes next, it will certainly not hurt to step back, take a moment to breathe and practice gratitude. When it comes to danger, our body and mind tend to switch to “panic mode” and we suddenly act without actually using our intellect’s entire potential.

This leads to unreasonable panic buying and hoarding, as well as to ruthlessness.

If we just took a step back and fully turned on our brain function, we would realize that this is our chance to show how helpful and thoughtful humans can actually be.

Let’s all show some solidarity and kick this pandemic’s ass!

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For this purpose, I wanted to share a poem with you. A friend of mine shared it on Facebook yesterday. It was so inspirational and moving, I actually couldn’t withhold some teeny-tiny teardrops in my eyes.

Lockdown by Brother Richard: 

“Yes, there is fear.
Yes, there is isolation.
Yes, there is panic buying.
Yes, there is sickness.
Yes, there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world, people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes, there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes, there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes, there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes, there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes, there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.”

-Fr. Richard Hendrick on March 13th, 2020

Brother Richard shared this poem in a Facebook post on Friday, March 13. his original post has received more than19k positive reactions and has been shared more than 34k times.

My thoughts…

I truly believe, that even in the darkness it is possible to create light.

Why don’t we take this time as a chance to focus on the little things in life? To slow down and practice some self-love, mindfulness, and gratitude. To be a friend to those who have been one for us. To help those who depend on us more than ever now. To be thoughtful towards others and protect them wholeheartedly.

I am incredibly thankful for every nurse, doctor, and officer who sacrifices everything to save our lives. I am thankful for all the people who work in a pharmacy or grocer’s shop and admire their endurance and them still having a smile for all of us regardless.

Also, thanks to all the parents and teachers who keep their children safe and help them cope with this situation. And thanks to everyone who offers their assistance to the elderly!

In consideration of the fact that many people all around the world are in quarantine due to the coronavirus, I figured, why not design a printable for us to reflect our behavior and practice some gratitude since now we have the time to do so.

The Gratitude Challenge

In a moment, I will introduce you to my concept and how it works. However, you need to know, that I spent a whole day creating it and that I put a lot of effort into this project. It’s completely for FREE because I wanted to give something back to you guys.

I am so grateful to those who read my blog posts frequently and highly appreciate the support! This free printable is a thank you to you guys and a welcome gift for all the new readers.

What is The Gratitude Challenge?

The Gratitude Challenge is a tool I created for you to practice gratitude and mindfulness for one week. It includes various tasks for each day.

Except for day six, every task takes about 5 to 15 minutes, depending on how long you wish to spend on it. However, you may always take more time if you like.

It also contains five THANK YOU CARDS you can send your loved ones! 🙂

Instructions

1. Download the document from my resource library for free. You can access the library by entering your Email address. Then, you will immediately be guided to the downloadable PDF.
2. Print the document and put it in a folder, glue it into your journal or even create a small booklet. Yay! Now it’s ready!
3. Then you can decide when to begin. My tip is to start as soon as possible. It doesn’t necessarily have to be on a Monday.
4. You can even look at the program for each day, to make sure it fits into your calendar. Also, you may swap activities if needed

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Thanks so much for reading! If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it on social media or use the image below to save it on Pinterest. This will help to spread the word. 🙂

Stay safe and take care!

Get your FREE Gratitude Challenge printable here!

Read another article of mine here!