Submitted by Fred on

Positive Outlook

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Lifestyle

Back in the day there was a character (pictured) in the Little Abner comic strip who walked around with a perpetual black cloud hanging over his head. His name was Joe Btfsplk.  In sum, he was bad luck and brought it on to others.  
Rain

I encountered Joe at a young and impressionable age and have carried his dark image through out my life.  

To say the least, I did not want to emulate or personify Joe.  Thus, I always found a way to see a bright side or rationalize a result.  

In a way, I suppose it’s a gift.  A coping mechanism which is serving me especially well now.  

For example, when Joanne would tell me something negative happened to one of our boys I would quickly say “Everything can’t always be good.  The negative builds character!”  Or when we were facing a difficult situation or stretch I would say “It will be an adventure!”

Now as we shelter in place, I keep telling myself there will be a new normal with so many improvements (Lemonade) engendered by our sour situation.  

Help me here and fill in some positives that are aborning and to come. Perceptions/predictions are welcome!

Comments

Submitted by Judy_Mauer on Thu, 04/23/2020 - 21:03

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Judy Mauer

Cleaner planet .... fir a while
This might get 45 unelected
A more compassionate and equitable world when we emerge
More appreciation of EVERYTHING
Benjamin Geizhals

We are resilient, individually and as a community. Our resilience is our greatest asset in these times.
Daniel Schwartz

More Web based meetings (not sure this is better or worse, easier I suppose).
I am thinking this will lead to less travel for business and likely a cleaner environment as a result.
New methods for testing with faster results.
Improved distribution systems (hopefully).
Shelley Simpson

I remember that character! Unlike you, Fred, I had to choose to be positive - it didn't come naturally. That choice has served me well. What I see on the horizon is that many are truly appreciating how connected we all are. Our individual choices become collective results. I see people taking more personal responsibility, developing an appreciation for nature and for each other. People are looking for ways to work together to solve problems large and small and they are finding opportunities and not only seeing obstacles. Things are going to be OK.
Fred Klein

Hopefully this will be a memorable and formative experience during which we enhance our character!
Scott Bloom

Only about 26 weeks until we can elect a new President
Kelly Welles

It’s imperative to find the positive amidst the dark.
I LOVE how you handle it. I do that myself. When I need a boost...I exercise (oxygen does wonders). I always feel better when I help someone else. And I remind myself that one of humanity’s greatest gifts is our ability to overcome insurmountable obstacles.
Rick Raymond

While I have an innate perspective, either for the better or worse, that all problems have a solution, I can and do at times find myself under a dark rain cloud. I it takes strong intention and muscle to move from under it. A muscle that for me also needs constant exercising. Reading Scott's comment above: 26 weeks to a new president, I do find myself under the dark cloud at time. Exercising this muscle I envision the deep breath inhale for when this occurs.
Victoria Drogin

There’s always a silver lining! Love it! It’s up to us to define it. Sometimes the only thing we can control is how we frame things. There have been so many surprising gifts during these strange times. Deeper connections with people, seeing my students and clients rise through unbelievably tough circumstances...
And time (lots of unexpected time) to explore things I “didn’t have time for”, to read and grow. (I’m actually learning the nuances of various football offensive strategies! Lol!) And like Kelly said, exercise, breathe and oxygenate!
As for the politics, I always take that with many grains of salt...
Fred Klein

Larry, as we well know, there is no substitute for life experience and surely is one!
ODEY RAVIV

Visualizing being in a crowd of music, theater, and movie lovers again.
But, wondering whether that is a possibility in the next 3 to 5 years.

Appreciating how great a cook my wife is almost nightly!!
Carly Bentley

SOOO many positives are coming out of this for me. I love harder, laugher harder, fight harder, enjoy deeper and feel much more creative without all of the unnecessary running around and distraction. I loved that character reference. The mere fact it stayed with you and you were able to draw on it for point of reference is very cool.

Submitted by NeilHollander on Fri, 04/24/2020 - 05:26

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Neil Hollander

I’m telling you Gotham , not much has changed for me . I still enjoy my time of healing and introspection by spending hours in the woods behind my barn. My daily interaction with the animals both wild and domestic. We think alike . Talk to each other and live together day and night . They let me know what’s on the horizon long before any other creature . To them I listen . To others not so much . They’ve been doing it a lot longer than I have . Their advice is wise .You see the black squirrel dines with the gray squirrel.Every day . Same time . Nothing disturbs them . Oh ... maybe the shrill warning from the Blue Jay will cause a short pause in their dining . Perhaps to hear more clearly and double check the threat level. Inherent predator alert . We could learn from them .I do . The key is to keep the vital signs dialed in . Keep it simple . Simple right ? I try and stay on that simple track . The animals lead my way . Learn from this pandemic Gotham . Take way some soul searching techniniques . Survive . Keep it SIMPLE !!


Hollander Sends
Rona Gura

I'm with Neil. Learning to keep it simple. And appreciate what's important, family and the rebirth of nature.

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