A MONTH TO GIVE THANKS

It is November 2020, the month to give thanks, especially during these times. For many it is a major struggle to maintain a decent quality of life. The reality is, some are painfully fighting for their lives while our heroic caregivers jeopardize theirs.   Below are some empowering suggestions that we can do for ourselves as well for others. First and foremost, take care of your health and maintain your physical strength.

Wear a mask at all functions.  Maintain physical distance of at less 6 feet.  Sanitize most things that you touch.  Drink lots of water.  Ride a bike.

This is to be followed by focusing on your mental wellbeing using common sense:

 Meditate, pray, chant, listen to music, cut down on conflicts (especially with those you live with). Paint, sew, write. Remember all the happy moments… and dance some SALSA.

How do we do this:

Attempt to simplify your life especially with less stress.

Even though matters are challenging, we all have a purpose, keep that in mind.

Read books, magazines, find ways to improve yourself.

Count your blessings (at least 100) and accumulate good fortune for your life.

Stay in the powerful present. The past is gone, and we do not know about tomorrow.

Find some good in everything and everyone, especially family and friends. Even our foes bring us lessons to learn and thereby making us stronger, even more than them.

Extend your hand to those less fortunate, someone, some place is doing worse than you.

The hardest lesson of all is to focus on the beauty and benefit of simply living a life.

In case you may need additional assistance to reach these efforts, below are some national numbers awaiting your call.

Where to get immediate help:

Call 911.

Disaster Distress Helplineexternal icon: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish).

National Suicide Prevention Lifelineexternal icon: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish, or Lifeline Crisis Chatexternal icon.

National Domestic Violence Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.

National Child Abuse Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453).

National Sexual Assault Hotlineexternal icon: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

The Eldercare Locatorexternal icon: 1-800-677-1116 TTY Instructionsexternal icon.

Veteran’s Crisis Lineexternal icon: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Crisis Chatexternal icon.

Find a health care provider or treatment for substance use disorder and mental health:

SAMHSA’s National Helplineexternal icon: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889.

Treatment Services Locator Websiteexternal icon.

Interactive Map of Selected Federally Qualified Health Centersexternal icon.

Advancing together in harmonious unity is the personal triumph of each individual over egoism, because unity cannot be created among those who are self-centered and uncooperative.” (NHR-21, 82).