Are you aware of silver linings? During this coronavirus lockdown, I have been finding them everywhere.
Do you see a vase or two profiles?
I have had the ability to eat dinner at home with my family every night. I haven't worked outside the home late in the evenings. I still have work (And I deeply sympathize WITH those who do not).
In other words, though we are going through this unexpected change, I am fully aware of how the "new normal" has bestowed blessings upon me.
Oftentimes — and especially during this pandemic — many tend to focus on negatives or stresses and fail to recognize blessings in the moment. Even for those who currently are not working, blessings still exist all around. You only need to take the time to become aware of them.
And here's a difficult concept that is often overlooked but which I think is vital to living a richer and fuller life: We tend to see only the good things that occur in our lives as blessings. But many blessings come from what we initially perceive as negative experiences.
For instance, maybe you have lost your business or are out of work due to the coronavirus. The future seems uncertain and scary. But It also means rebirth and new opportunities.
Sociologists say that the average person knows 275 people. That means 10 people you know are connected to 2,750 people. Having established connections with 10 people, you can reach out and seek support or ask about new opportunities. More than likely, someone you know or someone who knows someone you know is willing and able to help, if you are willing and able to ask for it.
It takes awareness to be able to reframe experiences and count them as blessings. So ask yourself:
— How have I been blessed in my life?
— What perceived negative experiences have I had that in reality turned out to be blessings?
— Who have I been a blessing to, and who can I bless today, tomorrow, and in the months and years to come?
I recognize that for many people, financial and health concerns make it difficult to find silver linings, but I am confident that when people count their blessings — and reach out to others — it becomes easier to recover from setbacks.