So much has changed since the introduction of the Coronavirus. We at I&A have watched the incidences and intensity of anxiety, fear, and depression skyrocket. Not so much because of the virus itself, but because of the unknown. Because of how people have begun to treat others because of their fear of this virus.
Over the past 24 months we have made changes to our lives that we never imagined we would need to make. We have also begun to have animosity toward those who think differently than we do in ways like never before. I listen to my clients express their fear, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and uncertainty and how it affects their lives and those of their loved ones and co-workers.
Christmas and COVID-19
Christmas is a time of giving. Why not take inventory of the giving you’ve been doing and are about to do in the next couple of weeks and ask yourself, WHY? Why are we giving material gifts when what we need as a people during these changing times are gifts of kindness, understanding, patience, and charity? These are the gifts that change attitudes. These are the gifts that release others (and us) from anger, resentment, and bitterness. These are the gifts that change lives.
I have never seen a relationship restored because of a material gift. I have seen restoration when each of us gives to others what we want for ourselves…Empathy, consideration, support, and kindness.
The golden rule is “golden” for a reason…because doing unto others as you’d have someone do unto you has the potential to turn our personal worlds of couples, work environments, families, acquaintances and neighbors into a place where we encourage each other rather than condemn. A place where we are open-minded and supportive of our freedom to be independent and have our own opinions without fear of ridicule by our fellow man.
This Christmas season, give the gift of kindness. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Watch others, and your own, anxiety, fear and depression diminish.
