Find The Positive In Your Day

Although it may sometimes seem as if our lives have been turned upside down, there is so much good presented in what every day brings.

My kids and I recently decided to start a journal detailing the best parts of each day during the coronavirus pandemic. Every evening, my children and I sit down together to talk about the things that brought us great joy and happiness that day, and I write out the journal entry on their behalf. This journaling practice has become one of my favorite parts of every day, and the kids have become invested and excited in memorializing their experiences and expressing their feelings. Seeing my children light up when talking about their days is truly inspiring to me and reminds me of the importance of being fully present in these moments with them. 

Years from now, I want to be able to look back on this extraordinarily challenging time and relive the positive things we did as a family that helped us through. I encourage all those reading this to start a similar type of journal. It’s important to acknowledge and appreciate the moments that bring us and our families joy during this difficult time. 

I also spent time this weekend thinking about the story from the movie Invictus. Most people don’t know the word “invictus” means unconquered. The movie tells the story of Nelson Mandela, who spent many of the 28 years he was imprisoned in solitary confinement in an eight-foot by seven-foot concrete cell. Throughout his sentence, Mandela recited the poem Invictus while he trained, conditioned and weaponized his mind to be unbreakable, emotionally sound and resolute in his beliefs.

Controlling how we think and what we believe is possible, but it requires expanding our minds, the willingness to feel uncomfortable at times and consistent hard work and practice.

Every crisis is an opportunity. I encourage each of you to embrace our current situation as an opportunity to grow.