It's About Time 2

You've said it a million times. "I just don't have enough time!" Not enough time for your family, not enough time to do projects around the house, not enough time to exercise, to eat right, to rest or to pursue your passions.

Well now you do! 

Suddenly, we have all the time in the world! 

We have all been thrust out the the busyness of our every day lives into an altered state of reality. Time has stopped to some degree.

So here we all are in quarantine -- locked down, ordered to stay at home, shelter in place!

It feels daunting!

Add to that the empty shelves at the grocery store. My last trip to Costco was downright dismal. No toilet paper, milk or eggs, no canned goods, no meat or frozen foods. The faces behind the shopping carts said it all -- disappointment, frustration, even despair. Yes! It is scary not to know how you are going to provide the necessities for your family but lets all take a breath.

These shortages have all been created out of fear.

It is fear that sent millions running to the tissue aisle! Hoarding, overstocking, panic that somehow the most essential items would be gone. 

It's time to take a chill pill, folks!

Sure, items are missing from the shelves right now, but there is indeed plenty to go around. Just check into your community Facebook page and you'll see how neighbors are rallying around each other to share what they have. Neighbors in my community are posting who has eggs today, or what time they'll restock the toilet paper at the local grocery store. Folks are volunteering to run errands for each other. 

We're all going to be okay.

So, let's think about what could be the silver lining here. In addition to stopping the spread of a potentially deadly virus  -- we have all been given an incredible gift -- the gift of time!

No need to set the alarm clock. I'm waking up after the sun rises! That alone is just awesomeness! The gym is closed so I can workout when I want. I can eat when I want, work when I want. No meetings to go to, no appointments, no expectations whatsoever!

What a marvelous, wonderful time this is!

This is something I could only dream about during all those 60 to 80 hour work weeks! Now, here it is all wrapped up with a bow!

For those of you riddled with angst about the world coming to an end, or wondering how you're going to get through these very long days with a house full of kids, may I offer a few suggestions? 

First, embrace this precious gift of time!

• GET CREATIVE

This is the time to do all that artsy stuff you've always wanted to do! Do a little writing, sketching, painting, woodworking, cooking, crafting or home decorating! 

Dust off your old camera -- the real one with a long lens and f-stops. Take photos of your kids in fun outfits. Make a Tik-tok video. Go outside and take photos of wild flowers, bugs or clouds.

Look up how to create your own podcast! Pick up that old guitar and take some online lessons. Plunk away on the piano or write a few song lyrics for heavens sake. 

Open up Pinterest and go nuts! There's a page for everything you ever thought about or wished you could do!

Day dream a little and see what ideas pop in your head! There's never been a better time to get artsy!

• MOVE

Find a way to get your body moving! Yoga, CrossFit, kick boxing. It's all online.

For me it's dancing! I love me some Jazzercise On Demand! No, this ain't your momma's 1980's workout! We get funky with hot hip-hop moves, weights, planks and lunges! 

Peloton, Beach Body, indoor or outdoor cycling. There is literally something for everybody. Do whatever you like, but do something every day. You'll feel better all day long!

USA Today listed 7 fitness apps that are all free right now.

• LEARN SOMETHING NEW

The world is your oyster right now. Anything and everything you ever wanted to know is just a click away. All you have to do is type what you want to learn about in your search bar and you're on your way. Get the DuoLingo app and brush up on your Italian! Learn to sew, quilt, crochet or knit. Find out how to change your oil, transplant orchids or plant an organic garden. There is a YouTube for just about everything. If not, make one of your own. Now may be a good time to sign up for online college courses or visit Lynda.com where you'll find thousands of business and techie classes online. Just do it! 

• GO OUTSIDE

This is crucial to your ongoing health and happiness. Spend some time outside every day during the quarantine. You need the Vitamin D!  There are so many ways experience nature and still practice appropriate social distancing!

- Take a walk in your neighborhood

- Have a picnic in the park

- Put up your tent and watch a movie outside on your laptop

- Go on a hike

- Take a bike ride on a new trail

- Go skip stones in a lake or a pond

- Plant an herb garden

- Beautify your front yard

- Take a drive through a ritzy or historic neighborhood 

- Order takeout!
This one is especially important to me having worked with dozens of local restaurateurs. They are really hurting right now. Most restaurants are offering delivery or pick up that limits human contact.

For our date night this week we ordered a fabulous meal from Pinch Boil House in downtown San Antonio. We picked it up at the curb and had a little picnic in our car. Then we took a sunset stroll on a less-inhabited part of the San Antonio River.

Here is a list of San Antonio restaurants currently offering delivery or take out! So many great options to choose from!

• BE PRODUCTIVE

You know all those nagging projects you claim you never had time to do? Now is the time!

My first project at the very beginning of the quarantine was to clean out my pantry! Thank you Darra Dooley for the inspiration. Darra, a former colleague, posted on Facebook how she cleaned out and organized her pantry on a recent snow day.  It looked amazing. So, I gathered up some baskets and got to work. This was especially helpful for me to really get a good look at what food I had in stock, get rid of expired food, and find out where I was lacking. 

Other ideas:
- Spring Cleaning
- Organize your closet, donate anything you haven't worn in a year
- Clean the garage or basement
- Organize the laundry room
- Wash the windows
- Organize the junk drawer

Every time I de-junk or de-clutter I feel so liberated! Need inspiration? Check out Marie Kondo on Netflix or online! There is something so satisfying about making a list and checking things off. Try it! You'll feel amazing at all you accomplish!

• HELP SOMEONE

Whether it's offering to pick up a prescription for you elderly neighbors or dropping off a plate of freshly baked cookies on a friend's doorstop -- there is no better way to feel good than by serving others. Service is the best way I can think of to get you out of get you your doldrums. Look for ways to help those around you. 

I love how some celebrities have been reading books online, singing, giving free concerts. We all have talents to share. Find new ways to share and connect.

• GET SOCIAL

Now, I'm not talking about spending hours on Facebook here. While it may provide you with a superficial sense of connection, reading posts about how bad things are may actually make you feel more anxious. It's time to try something new.

Use online technology to connect with others in a new ways.

Use FaceTime, Facebook Instant Messenger, Google Duo, Google Hangouts, Zoom or whatever you like to  to actually talk to people. Here are some ideas I came up with:

- Hold an online book club (try Zoom or Google Hangouts)

- Set up online play dates

- Hold a virtual girl's night out

- Have a friend show you how to cook something new

- Call an old friend

Almost everyone is home right now so why not call (the actual talking kind of phone call) and catch up! I called one of my oldest and dearest friends last night. We laughed and laughed.

Nothing beats real, human connection. Skip the texts and actually talk with someone you care about.

These are just a few ideas I brainstormed this morning while dancing in my media room. I'm sure you have plenty of other great suggestions. I'd love to hear your ideas.

Ones and Zeros

1s and 0s! What's so special about these simple little digits? If you're a techie you already know what I'm talking about. If not, here's what I found online: 

Binary code uses the digits of 0 and 1 (binary numbers) to represent computer instructions or text. Each instruction or symbol gets a bit string assignment. The strings can correspond to instructions, letters, or symbols (unit.conversion.info) 

Simply put -- zeros and ones are the basis of all binary code. Those basic digits (0 and 1) arranged in mathematical strings make up the bits and bites of all digital computing. So, in other words, the basis of everything we see on our computers can be boiled down to 1s and 0s.

Today, I am grateful for 1s and 0s!

When I sat down to write this post I had just listened to Andrew Lloyd Webber pound out "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera on Facebook. And for some reason, tears streamed down my face!

I have never seen Phantom of the Opera but I think the beautiful music just opened up the emotional flood gates to all the stress and anxiety I've been feeling. 

But, what popped up next on my video feed instantly brightened my mood!

It was Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman plunking out a a toe-tapping rendition of Never Coming Down -- as Keith introduced it, "bringing a little sunshine to your screen," from his page URBAN UNDERGROUND! This is PURE awesomeness!

The willingness of so many to share their talents made me feel incredibly grateful, not only for their music, but for the amazing technology that allows us all to connect digitally!

It inspired me to use technology to connect to other humans, too. 

A few days ago, I set up a Facebook Messenger video call with some of my oldest and dearest friends. We had a blast catching up and sharing our stories of coping with quarantine.

Yesterday, my book club held our monthly discussion in a whole new way using Zoom. Sure, I miss sitting in around in a circle in one of my girlfriend's living rooms noshing on chicken salad sandwiches and fruit to discuss our current read. But, it was so great to still be able to connect with these smart ladies and talk about a very important book -- Slave Stealers, by Timothy Ballard. 

Ballard runs a foundation called Operation Underground Railroad that rescues children who are victims of human trafficking. 

The book profiles important abolitionists. It also tells the stories of some lesser known, yet incredibly courageous individuals, who escaped slavery and went on to help others find freedom. The author also describes a riveting account of modern day heroes who are currently liberating children from the most deplorable and tragic situations you can imagine. 

Reading this book instantly put everything we're going through right now into proper perspective. Our confinement during this quarantine is NOTHING compared to the confinement and brutality so many have endured throughout history! The book, by the way, was downloaded digitally -- thanks again zeros and ones!

OTHER DIGITAL DISPENSATIONS

Just a quick scan of my current news feed brought to light so many other ways technology has been a blessing to me during this unprecedented time.

• Fun Workout ideas - My Jazzercise studio is using Facebook Live to broadcast workouts LIVE at 9am and 5:30pm! Seriously, these fun dance workouts are the best thing I do all day. 

• New Recipes -  Dozens of celebs like Jennifer Garner and other famous (and not so famous) chefs are heating up my news feed with amazing eats! One of my favorites is Darren McGrady (Eating Royally - Princess Diana's former personal chef) who is sharing the amazing meals he's whipping up every night with what he has on hand!

• Home School - My kids are "up and out" but what a blessing it is that school can continue for millions of kids via the Internet. I've seen a wealth of fabulous ideas from parents who are meeting this "new normal" with fun, creativity and enthusiasm.

I know this is tough on parents and many milestones like graduation activities, proms and sports tournaments are being missed, but hopefully this e-learning experience will help your children all avoid the dreaded "summer school". I know if I was a kid I'd be jumping at the chance to finish up online!

• Musical performances of all kinds - From professional musicians offering intimate living room performances or symphony orchestras playing concerts in perfect harmony on Zoom, to families lip syncing fun songs or inventing crazy lyrics, music is an incredibly healing force and a blessing to us all right now!

• Dancing - Whether it's a family dance off, neighbors disco-ing on their driveways, or the thousands of innovative Tik Tok videos out there, folks everywhere are shaking off their stress by "shaking their groove thang!" 

Dancing is just fun! I love this quote from a former news anchor friend of mine, Carolyn Clifford, emblazoned on her photo outside of Studio A at WXYZ-TV in Detroit:

 "There are shortcuts to happiness and one of them is dancing!"

• Gardening Ideas - Even though our world has been pretty much shrunk down to our own four walls right now we can still find a little "green" nearby. I have been so inspired by friends posting about what they're doing to spruce up their yards, decks or patios. 

Need a little inspiration? Go online and browse landscaping ideas on Pinterest or take a gander at the Gardening Tips Facebook page. Easier still, just scroll through your news feed. I just did and found  dozens of fun tips like how to make easy window sill terrariums, how to sprout plants from produce you have in the house and how to grow large sunflowers in pots.

Find what appeals to you then go outside and clean up, spruce up or plant something. Or, just sweep your front porch for heaven's sake! Go soak up some Vitamin D! You'll feel great afterwards!

• Hair Tips - No salons? No problem! Thank goodness there are plenty of posts about this! Some of my favorites -- how to color your hair at home and how to blow out perfect side swept bangs! What better time to peruse makeup tutorials on YouTube? Go crazy! Have fun experimenting with new colors! No one is going to see you anyway. 😉

Here's one piece of sage advice. Just let your bangs grow. Do not try to cut your own bangs unless you really know what you're doing. Been there, done that and the result was NOT pretty.

• People Serving Others - Nothing warms my heart more than seeing all the awesome ways people are helping one other online. Here are just a few ideas that inspired me and maybe they will inspire you to serve someone in your community: 

- Make face masks for yourself or for medical offices:

How to make a face mask out of a bandana

How to make a face mask out of fabric

- Write fun or inspirational messages on your neighborhood sidewalks with chalk

- Hold a car parade for children missing a birthday party or for a couple that just got married and can't hold a reception.

- Donate blood

- Set up a virtual food drive for a local food pantry or homeless shelter using social media. 

- Put together a fundraiser for your favorite charity

- Celebrate healthcare workers. There a wonderful posts showing how various communities are applauding the sacrifice of those on the front lines fighting COVID-19. 

Organize a cheering squad in your neighborhood for when those workers come home! Just a little thought and kindness will go a long way to support those who are sacrificing so much right now.


FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

Ultimately, what I am most grateful for is the technology that allows me to see and be with my family! 

Yes! They are all a little crazy especially when they start adding those digital filters (trying to make me laugh)! 

But, what a blessing it is to see my kids' faces -- whether they are snuggled up in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn or hunkered down in Michigan, Ft. Worth or Eugene, Oregon. My favorite moments from the past few weeks - seeing my grandsons execute an awesome "obstacle course" set up in the basement by their mother! Or this - my own tiny little storm trooper!

GOOD NEWS!

Sure, the interwebs are reeking of bad news but there is also a wealth of good going on. A talented former TV news colleague, Andy Choi, just posted an initiative he's working on to spread GOOD NEWS. >

Andy Choi invites you to share good news!

Got some good news to share? Send your post or photos to Andy here!

I want to end by thanking YOU all for sharing your thoughts, ideas and talents online! I am so incredibly grateful for this digital technology, all those 0s and 1s, keeping us all connected!

What are you grateful for today? I'd love to hear what you've learned, discovered online, or tried for the first time because of this quarantine?