As my alphabetical mindset-mastery-for-now comes to an end, I wish you all continued success navigating the storm. I am happy to help anyone find resilience in these uncertain times, offering free resources, so no one is left out. While some of this has felt light in the shadow of dark times, I believe it is our ability to make sense of what is happening in a way that empowers us that will win the day, week, month, and year.

If you missed the previous articles, they can be found at Center4c.com: https://center4c.com/2020/03/19/abcs-of-challenging-times/, https://center4c.com/2020/03/22/abcs-of-challenging-times-continued/, https://center4c.com/2020/03/23/abcs-of-challenging-times-m-is-for-meditate/

S

Stress reduction. One of the quickest ways to reduce your stress is to choose another thought. I mentioned this before, but it is worth mentioning again. What is the story you are living? We are all making sense of the world and our lives. Basically, we create a story to make sense of it all. Make sure it is an empowering one. Give yourself permission to find the empowering one. If you are feeling stress because your story is “The market is crashing and I’m broke and I can’t go anywhere and the world is wheeling out of control and life sucks,” you will be stressed to the max. If the story is “I am safe in my home and with my family and have food and we will get through this. Everyone is the same boat, getting more broke, and the market will return when this is eventually over.” You will be a lot less stressed. Choose the empowering story for you. All predictions of the future are fiction (even those that are likely), so pick the empowering story. Pick the story you desire. Pick the one that gives energy rather than drains it, but do keep others safe by following the rules.

T

Time. For some of you, your job has accelerated due to current events, but for many the social distancing, working from home, or layoff with no activities and events have seriously slowed time. I run a weekly book club and we have now switched to video conference. The hour and half felt so long, but when we are in person, the time flies! How enlightening? Collectively, we have all be complaining about not enough time and all of a sudden time has slowed down. We can appreciate the boredom over being scared or appreciation over frustration. I will never again take for granted the time I spend with my clients and coaching groups in person. I will always appreciate the energy shared by people, now so much more apparent.

U

United. Toilet paper shortage aside, people are working together to make it through. Families, workplaces, government and strangers helping strangers, scientists, doctors, nurses, hospitals, supply companies, grocery stores….I could go on….all working together to get through this massive change in lifestyle.

V

Vibrant. Even if you’ve been working in your pajamas for a week, you are as vital and vibrant as you were before the crisis and even more so! Let’s use some extra time to tap into our vibrancy in new and creative ways. Crisis fuels creativity and innovation. What is your personal superpower? Are you musical, artistic, innovative, dedicated, fixer, cook, problem solver, creative writer? What might it be? Spend some of this extra time and pressure thinking about what it is. The journey inward can happen anytime and it’s especially useful when the journey across town, country and the world is limited.

W

Waves. You may feel your emotions come in waves. You may be grieving your old normal. Let these feelings wash over and through you. You may feel more tired because stress is exhausting. Understand that it is okay to feel your feelings, before moving toward the most positive outlook you can muster for now.

X

Xenodochy is a noun meaning to have an attitude of kindness to strangers. I’ll admit I needed to Google “words that start with X” for this one, but interesting to know that Xenodochy is an attitude of kindness to strangers. Now, we know.

Y

You are amazing. You are loved. You are supported. You are magnificent. You are unique. You are precious. You are appreciated. You are important. You are okay today or if not today, you will be tomorrow.

Z

Zing means the activeness of an energetic personality, similarly new information to me, but seems fitting for someone bouncing off the walls these days. It’s your zing that is screaming at you. Zephyr is a slight, refreshing wind. Zephyr makes me think of a refreshing wind of emotional and physical wellness wafting through our communities right now bringing healing. But I also like Ziti….A lot! (a medium-sized tubular pasta). It brings me joy and I am eating quite a bit these days.

That’s the end of the alphabet for now, but as I said in the last article, I might not be able to stop. I’d like to think my creativity extends past the alphabet, but this has been an enjoyable experience for me (as writing often is) in the midst of uncertainty, sadness, and fear. My professional coaching extends further than this truly, but at any time you start feeling too nervous, one thing you can do is start with A.

Kim Perone is a Success, Bereavement, and Resilience Coach and Mindfulness Trainer at Center4C (The Center for Clarity, Compassion & Contentment) offering 1:1 coaching, workshops, programs, retreats, workplace training and resources to support you on your life’s journey. Kim is the author of The Case For Clarity, Compassion, and Contentment: Finding Your Center available at www.center4c.com and Amazon. For more information about cultivating clarity, compassion, and contentment in your life, contact Kim at [email protected] or (518) 301-359 or visit www.Center4C.com.