Lessons Learned

2020 will be known as the year we stayed home

This is the time of year where we look back over the past 12 months and ahead to the next 12.

So here goes —- a few lessons we learned from this year!

YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

I heard someone say .... Do you think Mick Jagger was singing about toilet paper?

What have we always taken for granted? That there would be food in the stores, restaurants to go to, vacations to plan, schools..

The Flip Side - Appreciate What You Have!

FAMILY MATTERS

We do what we can to provide for older members of our families - both for our mom and our kids for us - bringing meals

More intentional about checking in - using zoom or phone calls

WE NEED OUR FRIENDS

We will never take for granted again being able to share a hug and just to be together over a shred meal, etc.

We need to know we aren’t the only ones dealing with loneliness or fear or whatever - its important to check in on each share how we are really doing.

Calling instead of texting can really help.

Technology has helped! We can connect with family and friends into more ways today.

WE CAN LEARN FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING SOBER

AA and the Serenity Prayer - taking it one day at a time and letting go of what we can’t change - Sober people already know this

Everything really can change overnight - people matter, not stuff

APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS

Slower pace of life for many of us with empty social calendars

Learning to go for walks or exercise at home instead of the gym

Cook more meals at home instead of going out

No more shopping - less eating out - ordering more online.

So what are we doing with that extra time?

Lots of deep cleaning and cleaning out closets and home improvement projects!

****More time for being creative —- hobbies help depress stress levels - crafting

ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE OUR HEROES

From all of those that work in the medical field from the doctors to the housekeepers, the care staff at nursing homes, group homes and everywhere, delivery people, police and fire, grocery store employees —— everyone who has gone to work (all the jobs that couldn’t be done at home) to keep things running

HAVING FUN IS IMPORTANT - find ways to do that - laugh with your friends, watch funny movies —- laughter is good medicine - being playful

*we love to laugh and fun in the classes I teach and in the Back Porch Stampers - we are just enjoying each other and being creative together

Its important to have something to look forward to!

FOR THE NEW YEAR

We gave a 12th night gift to our family when the kids were growing up - it was always something new to learn in the new year. One gift that everyone could participate in - so magic tricks, art supplies, juggling....

Tim and I each will share one new thing we want to learn in 2021...

What new thing will you learn for this year?