Newsletter July 2020

Relationships are difficult at best of times, but when we are stressed, they present even more challenges. Our mind works in curious ways when we are stressed or frustrated. It can create stories about life, and others that focus on the negative. This is always unhelpful, but especially so these days, as some of us may be acting and reacting in uncharacteristic ways, creating conflicts with others that up our already high stress and frustration levels. Instead of getting hurt, upset, or defensive when those around us act out, we need be each other's soft place to land. We can head off  hurt feelings and conflicts if we remember that we are all reeling from what is now upon us, and by being forgiving and compassionate to ourselves, and those around us if, and when, uncharacteristic attitudes, reactions, or behaviors raise their ugly head, allowing us to keep the peace. We are all managing this as best we can. )This month’s message is from a section on “Gratitude and Appreciation," from my upcoming Book 2 of my ‘Our Journey’s to Peace’ Series, which I have tweaked a bit to reflect how our relationships may be impacted with all we are going through these days). To Stay Updated, Sign-up for my Newsletter  here   As we continue managing as best we can through this pandemic with the stresses that arise and the restrictions put upon us, we must ensure that we remain as positive and grateful as we can for what we do have, what we are allowed to do while still staying safe, and for our loved ones – those we can no longer see, and those we share our homes with. We all have our comfort levels about what we are willing to do as restrictions are lifted. Some of us will do all that is now allowed – while keeping to safety measures, while others of us will still be very slow to venture out or be with people. The alienation we have all experienced may have caused some of us to become a bit more sensitive than before. Those of us who are very sociable, or whose bubble is small or even non-existent, may feel hurt when others we normally see do not yet want to get-together – even when following safety measures. Those of us living in our housing bubble with family, or friends, are still restricted to way less outings and get-togethers than before. We are therefore relegated to spending most of our time with the same people – without much opportunity for other social outlets. The stress of this can pile up. We may get testy. Impatient. And we may start to look at the idiosyncrasies of those we now spend so much time with as no longer cute or helpful, but as annoying. And those of us who have had to create a workspace in cramped or makeshift quarters – especially if with children at home, are very vulnerable to the stress of it [...]