Good Morning!
How are you today?
Perhaps I don’t ask that enough. In fact, I think we’re all guilty of it. Or maybe we ask, without ever really paying attention to the answer because we’re simply going through the motions etiquette demands of us.
It’s probably something you should ask yourself more often too – how you are? Try to be mindful, especially during this time – because this extreme set of circumstances right now is a period where things like depression and anxiety can have a feeding frenzy if you allow yourself to go unchecked.
So keep asking yourself, be mindful, and try to stay connected to your world in some way. Give your friend or relative a call and find it cheers you both up.
I think I started like that today because someone was telling me about Ruby Wax on TV the other night. After years of ignoring what she actually studied for, and having a very successful comedy career instead, Ruby has now finally embraced the fruits of her studies, largely after suffering from depression herself. In fact, if I remember correctly, at one point she melded both her backgrounds and performed a mini tour around mental hospitals, turning her studies and experiences into comedic material as a way of communicating with a very defined audience she knew would derive most understanding and empathy.
Now, she’s referring to the group of people who suffer from anxiety and depression as being better prepared for the mental effects of Coronavirus than everybody else. Being a card-carrying member of this club, I can kind of see what she’s saying.
Ruby believes because we’ve been part of the mental health care system, it’s like we’ve been in training for this event. We know from being taught it, to not look too far into the future, for fear of being overwhelmed. That if you tackle the immediate task rather than stare at all of them, it’s doable, and before long you can look back at a string of days you’ve clipped together in a collection and made it through.
That a feeling of desperate loneliness, can be all but conquered by reaching out and making the effort to stay in touch. Repeat as necessary without score-carding the fact it’s their turn to call or write.
That you can only affect the things that you control, and there’s nothing to be gleaned from worrying about the rest of it. That one is probably the hardest, but if you can get your head around the concept, you can catch yourself in the act of your mind attempting to betray you again.
There is nothing to be ashamed of.
Sometimes mental health problems can be traced to a trigger event or happening, like losing a job or a relationship split.
Other times they just ‘are’ with no explanation.
The important point comes in identifying you aren’t feeling like you, and then acting upon it in some positive way. And if the feelings don’t change, or worse, you feel yourself spiralling, do not hesitate to contact professionals to help you.
If your pipes sprung a leak would you hum and haw about calling a plumber?
Here are some handy first steps of advice if you feel you need them.
These guys are always helpful too
You know what else helps? Positive role models. That unlikely hero who bursts forth from the darkness unheralded and then stays around exactly long enough to make you think, “Well, you know what, if they can do that, I can get through today.”
On today’s blog, that guy is coming up in People Are Amazing, along with World Of The Weird and all the funnies, in case you were worried you’d hit the wrong page or site after clicking on a title which boasts #LaughterSpreadsFaster.
It’s here, I promise, but first, that hero in People Are Amazing.
Tom Moore is 99 years old, and wanted to complete 100 laps of his garden, before he turns 100, to raise £1000 for the NHS.
He’s now completed the 100 laps, but in fact raised 12 million pounds (at time of writing). If I’d written this yesterday it would’ve been 4 million, so I can only imagine what that total might look like tomorrow!
Over 600,000 people have donated online.
You can read the full story here, although probably best to double-check at the time for the new total.
Astonishing.
That one story captures everything that is good right now. A 99 year old who won’t be beaten. A world that recognises the courage, resilience and effort of a one-man resistance movement, and matches it all with donations at a time when most don’t know how they’ll even pay their own bills this month.
Perfect.
And while we’re about that. This.
I also spotted this story, about what Turkey’s doing for stray animals during Coronavirus. I was in two minds about this, but the background to the story has won me over.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s tackling Lockdown in fancy dress.
Avengers Assemble (2 metres apart)
Just down the road in Fife.
Posties everywhere appear to be trying to entertain customers in their patch.
World Of The Weird
Here we look at the changes in behaviour which have happened primarily due to Lockdown. So far we’ve brought you goats coming down from the mountains and taking over a town, sheep on playground roundabouts, and kangaroos lying down on a searing Aussie afternoon in someone’s front garden.
Today, dogs on swings.
And what about this for capturing the moment.
Turns out this guy has a bit of a knack for it.
Time for the funnies.
Today’s News In Brief
LOCKDOWN LETTER FROM YOUR DOG
Dear Hoomans
I have noticed over the past couple of weeks you have been staying in my home for extended periods of time. It is lovely having you here but I feel I should set a few ground rules. I would appreciate it if you would follow the rules whilst you are staying with me.
- When you do pop out you will need to take me with you.
- You seem to be eating lots of nice goodies whilst lazing about the house. I am entitled to a share of these. I won’t make a fuss I will just sit in front of you and quietly stare at you until I get my quota.
- Don’t call me for another bath, I am clean now. Just because you are bored doesn’t mean I need a wash or haircut. I suggest you go clean the metal box on wheels outside again. Daddy Hooman has done that a few times now even though it hasn’t moved in weeks.
- As you are here constantly at the moment, it is your duty to let me out as often as I require. That means that even if I have just come in and want to go out again you should let me. Sometimes I miss a spot whilst sniffing about and I need to recheck.
- When I am asleep, leave me sleeping, this isn’t a cue for the little humans to play with me. I can also sleep where I like, I don’t expect to be woken so you can move me.
- Do not shhhh me when I am barking. As you are here more, my job of protecting you has increased. I have to listen out for every little noise and inform you of it in case it’s a threat.
- Don’t leave a room without me, I know how sneaky you guys can be. Just the other day I am sure I heard a crisp packet being opened upstairs and no one called me to share. So from now on I will be following you about.
- This is a very important rule. If it lands on the floor it’s MINE, if it’s in my mouth it’s MINE.
- You will never pee alone again, you watch me pee so I do not understand why you shut me out and close the loo door when you pee.
- If you do not follow these rules I will use SAD PUPPY DOG EYES TO GET WHAT I WANT !🐶
Let’s play out with some music.
I’ve now seen lots of remote band-playing via technology. This is the first time I’ve seen a band do a special edition Lockdown re-working of their own song.
Thanks for reading.
Stay safe x
#LaughterSpreadsFaster
Sociable Distance 