Surviving the Change

As we are adjusting to a “New Normal”, where our lives are being dictated by an unknown viral pandemic; we wash our hands multiple times as a surgeon, we moisture with sanitizer, wearing masks when outside the home that cover our nose and mouth, all the while social distancing six feet. In addition, realizing the education where we crammed, studied, and tested, was untrue as the truth is being revealed daily. Social injustice cast a severe blow, as we had to look inward to confront our hidden biases, prejudices, perceptions of people, races, and gender specific. Should I mention unemployment, quarantining, foreclosures, pandemic price gouching, and how to keep our children safe whether in school or home school, the list of concerns goes on…… So, how do you survive without being in a catatonic state of mind, experiencing anxiety, depression, and the feeling of being overwhelmed? May I suggest a few options: be present in the moment, acknowledge all feelings and emotions, pray to your God of your understanding, mindfulness, and just being. To quote a line from the Serenity prayer, to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.