How to Get Through These Trying Times

We wanted to share some tools with you, trusting that using one or more of these "Meaningful M's" each day (or most days) will inspire you to THRIVE through this global experience and beyond.

And... you're likely doing one or two of these already, yes? If so, you're awesome. Try to keep using them, OK? If you're not doing any of them, until now, as you're reading keep an eye out for which one you're likely to respond to and try to incorporate it into your day.

Yes, it's possible to get through these trying times with grace and gratitude. We know these tools will help you do so, so read on!

In no particular order, here are our 7 Meaningful M's.

Morning.

Inspired by the work of Mel Robbins, this is a practice that we try to create each morning. Take time each morning for your Self, before reading emails and FB or watching the news. Take 15-20 minutes (or longer) connecting with your Self in prayer, meditation, journaling, or just sitting quietly in a chair connecting with your breath and your Self. This is a free, simple (but not always easy) way to start your day.

Movement.

Oh, my goodness! It's so easy to just sit there, isn't it? To sit in a chair with your phone, or lay in bed with a book and just be sedentary, right? Yet a few moments of movement will help elevate your mood, get the oxygen flowing and help you feel better. Can you spend 15 minutes a day (or longer) moving your body? Perhaps just stretching, or touching your toes or doing jumping jacks or running in place? It's essential to stay well. It's only hard the first minute. After that, you won't want to stop.

Meditation.

There is much evidence on the benefits of meditation, including reducing stress, anxiety, enhancing self-awareness, reducing memory loss, developing willpower and fighting addictions. Can you incorporate this into your morning or nightly practice?

Management.

We know that there's a lot that you're trying to manage right now, and the one area that we'd love to encourage you to spend extra time on is this: learning to manage your thoughts. What are you thinking about your Self, your world, your health? What are you telling your Self these days?

In our recent 'Corona Coffee Talk' Eli taught us that this is a time for each of us to get a Master's Degree in Thought Management. Knowing you can shift your thinking and have control over powerful emotions - which begin with thoughts - will take you far in your life, even beyond this situation. We've all been given this incredible moment in time to put this very human gift we all have into practice. Change your thinking, change your life.

Make.

Can you spend time each day making something that you enjoy? Perhaps a nutritious meal, or a greeting card, or a video to send to friends and family? Or trying out a new art form or learning a new skill? Actively using your hands and your brain will help keep you engaged on a regular, or semi-regular, basis.

Motivation.

This is the one that we struggle with the most, right? Why do you do what you do? What gets you out of bed each morning? Do you know? Is it your family? Your desire to serve your community during difficult times? Your commitment to your health? Knowing your Why (and perhaps even posting it where you can see it every day) will help you to stay motivated.

Miraculous.

Yes, we've saved the best for last. Learning, discovering, seeing, noticing and appreciating miracles each and every day will help to be in a place of gratitude. There are indeed miracles all around us. You're reading this on a computer? With internet? That's a miracle! And you're using your eyes? Another miracle! And you know how to read? Another frickin' miracle. And the sun is growing plants on your back patio? From 239,792,256 miles away? WOW. And you? Yes, you're a miracle, too. Remember that, now more than ever OK?

In the words of Albert Einstein:

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Do your best to find your miracles, each and every day, OK?

This blog post was inspired by author and financial guru David Bach. He has 6 M's, and they're different from ours. But he's a super generous, smart and lovely person, so we're happy to give him credit for thinking of it first ;)

And now it's your turn.

What daily practice are you using right now to help you thrive during these challenging times? Or, which one from the above 7 are you wanting to start using? Please post in the comments below. THANK YOU!

With deep love and appreciation for you,

Eli + Joseph