Generally speaking, summer is the perfect time of the year we all are looking forward to with much excitement, but unparalleled, this year our warmest weeks unfolded differently as none of us expected a season of cancelled vacations and enforced social distancing throughout the entire world - without any doubt, decisions hard to make, but believed to be done with health and safety at the core.
Even thought it might look or feel like a summer of missed opportunities (like missed friends, missed bonding time, missed exotic travels, missed group trips, etc., etc.), the summer still occurred and we all had to become more creative in finding ways to remain optimistic, as well as to continue to support each other despite the harshness. And so we did!
In a way or another, we all adjusted and came up with a variety of ideas and activities doable from the comfort of our homes or availabilities within the local reach, at the same time following the rules in place.
In a way or another, we each continued with our lives, learning on how to face the current challenges and grow from them, while moving forward in a positive way.
In my opinion, this is the time when our spirit, resilience and determination could shine brighter than ever before.
This is the time we all could deepen our understanding on what compassion really means, or what kindness feels like, and why not, what unity through diversity could look like.
If we are willing to dedicate some time to contemplate, we realize that during this difficult stage, our perspective on what it is important in life might change and improve if we choose to do so.
For instance, from small to big, from irrelevant to relevant, from trivial to significant, just by simply changing the conversation openers, we could make a positive change; from "How are you?" to "What are you grateful for today?" or "What is the best thing that happened to you today?" we could move the focus of a conversation toward a positive direction and that's very important during trying times. There is a huge difference between replying and having a conversation, and it is important to notice this variance! Sharing a positive thought is a simple and beautiful way to encourage a deeper response and to shift a person's perspective for good. Great questions definitively spur a great conversation; a great conversation always builds bridges of trust, and ignites the sparks of joy, all leading to valuable insights able to restore a little fun and happiness during this uncommon summer!
In a way or another, we all adjusted and came up with a variety of ideas and activities doable from the comfort of our homes or availabilities within the local reach, at the same time following the rules in place.
In a way or another, we each continued with our lives, learning on how to face the current challenges and grow from them, while moving forward in a positive way.
In my opinion, this is the time when our spirit, resilience and determination could shine brighter than ever before.
This is the time we all could deepen our understanding on what compassion really means, or what kindness feels like, and why not, what unity through diversity could look like.
If we are willing to dedicate some time to contemplate, we realize that during this difficult stage, our perspective on what it is important in life might change and improve if we choose to do so.
For instance, from small to big, from irrelevant to relevant, from trivial to significant, just by simply changing the conversation openers, we could make a positive change; from "How are you?" to "What are you grateful for today?" or "What is the best thing that happened to you today?" we could move the focus of a conversation toward a positive direction and that's very important during trying times. There is a huge difference between replying and having a conversation, and it is important to notice this variance! Sharing a positive thought is a simple and beautiful way to encourage a deeper response and to shift a person's perspective for good. Great questions definitively spur a great conversation; a great conversation always builds bridges of trust, and ignites the sparks of joy, all leading to valuable insights able to restore a little fun and happiness during this uncommon summer!
"Keep your face toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind."
