The View From Here – Anybody Else Feeling It?

What is happening in our world right now?  What is happening in our communities? Anybody else feeling really heavy and heartbroken right now?  A little too anxious and overwhelmed?

I know I am.

The U.S. Election is happening.  Americans are lined up at polling stations as we speak to cast their vote in what many are calling the most important election in American history.  A global pandemic, protests against racial injustice.  Businesses are boarding up windows are doors in anticipation of “unrest”.    

I have never seen anything like this in my lifetime and as a Canadian, watching from the sidelines, it’s scary.

It’s hard on us as Canadians because we can’t do anything to help.  We can’t vote.  It’s not our election.  We can only sit by and wait and watch.  And if you’re the praying type, send up some big bold prayers.  The world needs them.

A lot of Canadians are feeling stress and anxiety over it.   Experts says the best advice for those feeling election stress – “a concept common in the game development world: finding your “flow state.”   Find an attention-grabbing activity in which you can become completely “in the zone.”

In other words.  Stay busy.  Workout.  Paint. Draw.  Play a game.  Do something other than mindlessly scroll social media.

People are hurting.  From the pandemic.  From so many things.

It can feel overwhelming and too much.  Nobody expected this to be going on this long. But this is where we have to remember that we are in it together.  We’re stronger together.  And when we remember that, we remember kindness.  We remember compassion.  And we remember that it’s easier when we look out for each other.

I’m so proud of our community.  To see so many people come together for a Halloween tour was incredible.  A reminder of the greatness that is Sarnia-Lambton.   A community that comes to together when the need is there.

Don’t stop now.

We stay strong together by continuing to do those same things.   This pandemic is NOT going away anytime soon.  And it sucks.  And we’re tired of it.  And want it to be over.  But here we are.

Instead of fighting it and throwing our hands up in the air and giving up – let’s see what we’re being asked to do as a chance to help a neighbour, or a friend.  Wear a mask.  Stand in your circle in line.  Keep your social bubble if that’s what it will take to get back to normal.

How can you help someone else get through this?

Keep supporting local businesses.  It really does matter more than ever.

Be kind.

Smile at a stranger.

And remember what matters.

This month, Feel Good Fridays are all about encouraging you to share what is making you FEEL GOOD right now.   We want you to share pictures with us online so we can fill our website with positive vibes!   Is it family?  Is it friends?  Furry friends?  A beautiful picture taken when out for a walk?  A book you’re reading?  A favourite t-shirt or song?

Use your pictures to share with the world what is making you feel good and maybe that will help ALL OF US feel better along the way.

Because the world feels really heavy right now and we need more Feel Good.

I can’t wait to see your pictures.

I’ll start.  With this picture of my coffee from this morning.  In a mug from a dear friend, with the reminder “Breath in.  Breath out.  So much to feel good about.” And a molasses kiss from my daughter’s Halloween stash.

Categorised in: Afternoons, Afternoons Fridays

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan