Make It A Serendipity Day!
Jean Criss
Over several months I’ve either had writer’s block or simply found it difficult to express myself with words of encouragement during this difficult COVID-19 period. We are all in our four walls of chaos together, facing our own challenges, adding our personal and professional experiences, and sometimes it may take a village or simply peace and serenity to find that silver lining to lend words of inspiration.
Today, with a change of environment, sunny sky, warmer climate, energized with improved health and the holidays upon us, I find myself encouraged to write about recent experiences rather than blog about breast health and wellness. I am driven to share messages and inspirational tips — how I’ve managed my time, one day at a time, during this pandemic and have helped others close to me, push forward. This article is shared with LOVE.
1. Mind, Body, Soul. I always knew the energy behind mind, body and soul is a big part of a survivor’s breast health recovery and I learned to channel my energy to make it a daily regimen during this pandemic. Focus on what you know and do a little more each day to turn internal feelings and thoughts into encouragement and creativity that’s good for the soul. Determine what your body may need — a hot bath, spa treatment, walk down the boardwalk or in the park, phone call with loved one, let your fingers do the shopping online, take a long drive, cook a meal for a friend or feed the hungry, donate your time, etc. “Yes, while our choices may have been limited while at home these past several months, your mind is limitless. Get creative and be resourceful.”
2. Find Positivity. Look for the good in others. If a phone conversation is negative, depressing, going miserably in the wrong direction, find words of encouragement and add a positive twist to it. Always end the conversation on a positive note. Turn it around. Make a difference in someone else’s life. This year in particular, we’ve learned that “words matter” more than ever. “Find the right words and use your “voice” to help someone who may need to hear something cheerful and positive to push forward.”
3. Make Change Happen. Don’t procrastinate. Make a “to do” list. Check off items completed and outline ongoing “tasks” which will have an impact in your life or someone dear to you. The end of each year brings joy and is the time of year for giving. Spread the love by making joy and change happen. Send a donation to a favorite charity or children’s organization, network and participate in online chat with family and friends, feed the hungry, clean your closet and donate apparel, help repair something for someone, . . . This list can be endless. Make it your own and “own it”. “It’s the little things that count and everyone can make a difference.”
4. Search for Love. Well, I’ve struggled with this one myself on that rocky road. I often question a man’s sincerity and authenticity and find it hard to trust someone, based on personal experiences. While we all learn from our past, our personal experiences make us a better, wholesome, well-rounded or grounded person to know how to search for love. What stones to un-turn and which ones to walk away from. I, personally, prefer to meet someone in person rather than any online dating site to find that SPARK! So, while our social lives may be in “pause-mode” for a period of time, encourage family and friends to help you through it. Take a walk in the park, go bike-riding, ice-skating, select a safe outdoor activity during COVID-19 that limits exposure but may give you an opportunity to network and meet someone special. For those that are using business social sites for online dating purposes, such as LinkedIN, fb and IGram, please respect the purpose and integrity of those platforms. You can turn to the numerous online dating apps to find your match and I wish you good luck. “This pandemic shall pass and our norm lifestyles will soon resume.”
5. Try Something NEW! Go outside your comfort zone. For me, I decided to take my Intimate Apparel brand global. I searched for the right partner to set up biz ops and processes for worldwide sales and distribution to market my post-operative undergarment outside the U.S. While this was foreign territory to me, I continued to learn and educate. I plan by staying ahead of the curve by scheduling partner calls for follow up and call to action, and identify actionable next steps with future planning. “Something NEW can be exciting, exhilarating and energizing especially during times like these.”
6. Get Rest. If getting rest means taking a “nap”, then do it. We are lounging around at home these days, and might find it difficult to get motivated during this pandemic. You may also experience sleepless nights. I know I have had many nights filled with anxiety and stress and then by mid-morning, sometimes I’m tired because I got up too early. If taking a break or rest during the day can make a difference, then I say, do it. There was a time, when a colleague, “my incubator mentor” told me to do this and honestly, I thought she was crazy. I was spinning and working 60-70 hours/week and on adrenaline to launch. But now I get it. We have a clearer mind and can be more productive if we are well-rested. “So, take time for yourself. Rest and relaxation refreshes your mind, body and soul, then carry on!”
7. Treat Yourself. Lite a lovely scented candle (which I have burning while I write this blog). Eat candy - indulge! Have a glass of wine with a delicious platter of cheeses from around the world or fruit platter, and have fun with food! There’s truth behind “soul food”. Eat nourishing healthy food and treat yourself, no harm in that. For snacks, I keep fresh fruit around and healthy snacks such as; Swedish fish, dark and milk chocolate, coconut, gluten-free, non-wheat crackers and prefer corn or rice, dried cranberries, cherries, etc. I switched from sugary white wines to zero-Cal infused natural flavored Vodka with soda vs tonic, as a new cocktail of choice with a twist of lemon, lime and/or muddled cucumber. All my Go-To items are non-allergy ridden on my list and portion control is kept top of mind. I’ve dabbled with new food dishes recently and found it to be a good experience and calming to cook something different. I’ve learned to stay away from foods high in sodium, gluten, wheats, pastas, meats primarily and supplement these essentials with other supplements providing high energy as my core based nutrients. I prefer to shop fresh whole foods, organic fresh fish, fruits and veggies and cook with minimal olive oil, grill or bake, no frying. I find “a challenge is only a struggle if you make it one. Don’t let food become an excuse for bad habits.”
8. Exer-Size. While lounging on the couch, WAY too much these past several months I must admit, I found walking the dog and taking long walks to be refreshing, stretching and exercising. The fresh air felt great and it felt good for my body. With the right healthy gut and eating habits, I’ve lost 2 inches at my waist and hips and am happy to say I am recovered from that nasty GI infection I had too (which is a separate future blog topic in and of itself). I went ice-skating first time in several years last week and it felt great! I’m re-energized and starting back to dance classes next week and am so excited about that! “So, do what’s right for you and your body. Select an exercise plan and do it at your own pace.”
9. Be Happy. I wrote in my first book, “My Pain Woke Me Up: BLISS!”, a story about love, live, survivorship and the pursuit of happiness. I found that silver lining years ago. It’s always a joy to balance life with a planned out day-to-day schedule to keep that “happiness” going. As I wrote; ‘Every story has an end but in life every end is just a new beginning.’ Once you find it, it’s easy to wake up every morning with a smile, to look forward to a new dawn and set sail for the day. Of course, the sun will set, and another day will rise and be upon us. So unclutter that ole closet; clear the clutter and get refreshed for new beginnings. As my Dad always said, “Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today.” “Go and conquer today and be HAPPY. Everyone deserves to be happy.”
10. Serendipity. The knack of making wonderful unexpected discoveries of things not sought for. Never stop dreaming and planning your destiny. LIVE Your Dreams! I look forward to our “Post-COVID-19” future so begin planning that now. Your future vacations. Changes with business, work, staff or professional career. Make those tough personal life decisions that will not just make you happy today, but keep you fulfilled throughout your lifetime. ‘Only you can decide to make it a Serendipity Day!’
Jean Criss is an Author, writer, columnist and blogger. She is an experienced digital media-preneur at Jean Criss Media and fashion designer at CRISSCROSS Intimates. Kindly share this blog and follow our stories. We’d also love to hear from you - comment and write back. For press or media inquiries, contact info@crisscrossintimates.com. Wishing you all the breast!
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