Tough times don’t last, tough people do.
Right now, times are tough. There’s a virus intent on infecting the whole world and the economy is suffering as local governments are shutting down more and more businesses. Many of us are stuck at home feeling powerless, which is one of the most frightening things to feel. But you know what? You don’t have to feel that way.
Lately I’ve been working on turning negativity on its head. Every time a negative thought creeps into my mind, I try to replace it with something positive and powerful. For example, when I start to think something like:
It is so difficult to self-isolate and stay home! I’m itching to get back to my routine.
I then replace it with gratitude:
This is a tough time but boy, I am so grateful that my family is helpful and that we get to spend this time together instead of apart.
Instead of being weighed down by these feelings and thoughts, we can learn from them! We can use all the resources at our disposal to grow through this experience, rather than be stifled by it or feel powerless. Because we are not powerless.
We have more power together (even while socially distancing!) than we do all alone.
We can lean on each other during these times; we have more power together (by sharing resources and knowledge and information and being together) than we do alone. When I started to realize just how serious everything was, I did feel myself being pulled into the news reports and the stress of it all.
But I made a better decision and I turned to my community, The Turquoise Iris’s Creative Connection group on Facebook!
This group is so powerful, y’all.
They support me when I’m low and always push me to do more. They laugh with me, never at me. And they always, always lift each other up, no matter the circumstances. That’s what it’s like to be a part of a powerful community!
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” -Helen Keller
This group means a lot to me, but it also means a lot to its members. Just look at what they have to say!
“Being a part of this group made me realize, I can do anything I set my mind to.”
“So I have to say I am so thankful for this group! Being in here has forced me to make some changes, which has been so good for me.”
“Hi All. I started this furniture painting business in Oct 2019. I had no idea what I was doing or what it would turn into. I just know I received a calling and I’m forever grateful. I never knew what joy she and this group would give me in the future.”
This group is so much more than a place of love and support — even though that’s enough to be worth your time! — it’s a place of empowerment. Every post is an opportunity to learn because every member freely shares their knowledge and experience. I have seen people grow their online presence from nothing into tens of thousands of followers because of what they gained from this group.
In this strange and scary chapter of our lives, I am so grateful for the community that I’ve helped build. I am grateful for their positivity, encouragement, and support. In just a few days, I’ll be opening the doors to the group again, at a time when everything is uncertain and everything is up in the air.
Maybe no one will join. Maybe right now it is simply too tumultuous, too frightening of a time for people to take action.
Or, maybe people will recognize that a solid support system is more powerful, more crucial, than ever before.
(I have a feeling it will be the latter.)
Click here to join the waiting list.
In case you need a daily reminder that you are tougher than these times, I made a phone wallpaper for you!