#flattenthecurve

“And Then There Are The Other Heroes”

/ Anne Dennish / 1 Comment

There are many heroes out in the world today keeping us safe, taking care of us and trying to keep life going, yet I believe there is another hero we don’t give credit to and that’s our children.

The definition of a “hero” is: a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

And I admire my children, your children and the youth of the world who are living through these uncertain times right along with us. They are heroes as well.

They’re quarantined home just like the rest of us, they can’t see their friends or family, they can’t go to school and for some, there will be no senior class trip or high school/college graduation. Imagine what they’re feeling and thinking. Imagine how WE would feel at that age.

I look at my 18 and 22 year old in amazement. I’m empathetic and can feel what they’re feeling and think to myself that I would have gone crazy at that age being stuck in the house with my parents and siblings! It truly would have driven me out of my mind. Yet here they are, just like the rest of us: quarantined.

None of us have ever seen something like this in our lifetime and I hope that we never do again, but here are our children. They’re young with an entire lifetime ahead of them and look at their lives now. They’re quarantined just like the rest of us, but the difference is we had that life and freedom at a young age and right now they don’t. As adults we can sit here in quarantine and wonder what life will be like after it’s over. They are just beginning their lives, thinking about what they want to be when they grow up, or where they want to live. They’re looking and planning towards a future that is uncertain. Imagine all those thoughts that go through their minds. I imagine them when I see that look of boredom on their faces, or the sadness over not seeing their friends. I imagine them when I talk to my kids who live across the country and can hear the sadness in their voices or a tone of disappointment knowing that the life they started on their own is all changed. All of them were laid off from the jobs that they loved because of the quarantine. They all comply with the orders that we’ve been given, including wearing gloves, masks and social distancing. I have to say, it breaks my heart to see pictures of my kids wearing masks. 

I love my five children with all that I am and when this quarantine starts to get to me or they start to drive me crazy I remind myself of how it must feel for them. Suddenly, it doesn’t feel so bad for me and I understand about their bad days because I remember all the fun and freedom I lived through as a teenager, the times that they can’t right now.

My kids are handling it better than I would have expected. They’re constantly watching out for me because I’m “high risk” and there are days they put my well-being above their own. They’re making the best of this quarantine and doing what they can to laugh, smile and have fun together…and they even include me!

I have to believe that they’ll come through this stronger and with an even deeper gratitude for freedom and life than they had already had.

There are many people out there that are “heroes,” and I count my kids among them.

Here’s to my five kids, your kids, and the youth of the world: “Thank you for handling this as well as you are. I know it’s not easy, but thank you for doing what needs to be done. You are my hero!”

In the end, we’re all heroes for staying home and saving lives by doing so.

Hang in there…you’ve got this!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~your_custom_beautiful_quotes_here (1)

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“These Three Things”

/ Anne Dennish / 3 Comments

It was during this last month of quarantine that I learned that three important components are absolutely necessary to survive being “SAFE at home.” They are patience, tolerance and forgiveness, and most often, in that order. 

You need to have patience with the people you live with, the people you deal with and with yourself. Every one of us will have a day of feeling stressed and anxious, and every one of us will take that out on someone else who had nothing to do with it. Therein lies the patience. Be patient in knowing that all of us are experiencing this in different ways and act out in different ways. Be patient with others and be patient with yourself while you’re trying to be patient with them!

You need to try to have some amount of tolerance of the behavior of others in order to have the patience you need to tolerate their moments of lashing out. That’s not to say that you have to be a doormat and the recipient of someone else’s anxiety or stress. It just means that on those occasions (and I hope they are few!) that someone takes out their mood on you, be tolerant and be patient with them.

And most importantly, you need to practice forgiveness. You need to forgive the people that you had to be patient and tolerant with, and you need to forgive yourself for the days that you couldn’t be.

These are difficult times we’re living in and I truly believe that patience, tolerance and forgiveness are a must. Under normal circumstances we may not have to practice tolerance of “not so good” behavior as much, but right now we do, as long as it’s not on a daily basis and not bordering on abusive. 

I know that we’re all trying to get through this as best we can and some days are just too much to handle, but we need to remember to not only be patient, tolerant and forgiving of others, but of ourselves as well. 

If you can practice these three things, toss in a large dose of kindness for others and yourself as well, you will find “safety AND serenity” at home. 

Hang in there…you’re doing just fine!

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Stay Home Alone Together”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

The greatest gift we can give each other right now is to stay home and live by the rules of social distancing. It’s almost ironic that something like “staying at home” can save our lives and the lives of others, yet it’s our reality right now.

I don’t want it to be a reality forever and I’m sure you don’t either. We’re living a “new normal” and now, more than ever, we need to support one another and flatten this curve TOGETHER!

I’m staying home for my family and yours.

Are you staying home for mine?

It’s time to make a difference in this world and we can make that difference TOGETHER!

Please stay home for the world and everyone in it.

I am and I hope you are, too.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“When Tensions Run High”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

When one person lives alone during a quarantine, they can get lonely.

When one person lives with a few other people during a quarantine, they can get frustrated.

We’re living in uncertain times right now and I know that social distancing and staying at home can get to some people because I know it gets to me every now and again, especially living with three other people.

Patience is definitely a virtue and one that is tested, sometimes on a daily basis, when you’re living with other people, but that doesn’t mean that it will turn into a battle…unless you let it.

I’m used to being alone most of the day so having three other people in the house with me 24/7 has definitely disrupted my routine and there are moments I want the television turned off and the computers turned down. My patience is tested when one has a problem with another, or one stays up all night when the rest are trying to sleep, or when one always has the volume on high while others are reading or resting.

So, what do I do?

I remind myself that this is a gift. It’s a gift of “time” to spend with the ones I love, time to relax with them, laugh with them, and talk with them. I remind myself that I’m blessed to be here with them and am reminded to reach out to friends and family that are home alone.

I remind myself that “flaws are flavorful” and that none of us are perfect. 

I remind myself that lack of sleep will test even the most patient person and that having a roof over my head, food on the table and a bed to sleep in each night will definitely put things into perspective.

And I remind myself that when tensions are running high and patience wears thin, I can go outside alone to sit under the stars or in the warmth of the sun. I can find a quiet spot in my home to sit by myself and find my balance again or I can put on my headphones and listen to music.

I remind myself that what is going on outside of my front door and in this world right now is far more important than the tensions that my flare up now and again or the patience that wears thin. We can change those things.

And the only way we’re going to change the outcome of this virus is by staying home.

I know it’s hard sometimes but it’s important to remind yourself that “you’re not stuck at home, you’re safe at home.”

And if you’re lucky, you’re safe at home with the people you love.

Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay home.

Love the ones you’re with and reach out to the ones that are alone.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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“Living Life In Limbo”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

I don’t know about you but I feel as though my life is in limbo. The world has changed overnight and it’s filled with uncertainty. Our lives seem to be anything but normal, but we can try and decide what our new normal life is for right now…we don’t have to stay “living in limbo.”

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Anxiety and COVID-19”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

We’re all experiencing some amount of anxiety throughout this terrible virus. I’m going through it, too, and wanted you to know that you’re not alone.

Take a listen.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

Bedtime Stories – Episode 1

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

Anxiety is running high these days and with good reason. In an effort to help you stay calm, as well as myself, I will be doing “Bedtime Stories” with Anne Dennish each night at 8 pm, EST. I will be reading stories from my books that are positive and uplifting in an attempt to help you clear out all the negative thoughts from your mind before you go to sleep. It’s just my way of trying to help others, including myself, stay calm and get a good night’s sleep and it’s what I can do while in the confines of my house.

It’s so important that we have a good night’s sleep during this time and I know for myself, a calming meditation or soothing voice helps. These are the times we need to turn off all the negative news of the day so that we can sleep peacefully and wake up well rested to face another day of quarantine and of COVID-19 news.

I hope this helps.

You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.

Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay home.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love, light, and sweet dreams,

~Anne Dennish~

“What Day Is It?”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

The “new normal” of life from COVID-19 is certainly challenging. I keep thinking: “What day is it? What time is it? What’s happening to me?”

We have to find some humor in all the insanity going on around us. Take a listen…

Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay home.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

“Finding Your Strength During The Coronavirus”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

I wrote a story in my latest book, “Each Breath Along The Journey” called “Moment’s In Life.” In it I write about the importance of turning off the world during crazy times so that you can find your strength to turn it back on. How true that is right now!

Take a listen.

“Sometimes you have to turn the world off to find the strength you need to turn it back on.”

Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay home.

It’s a good thing.

Wishing you love and light

~Anne Dennish~

(You can find “Each Breath Along The Journey,” as well as my other two books, “Waking Up: Lessons Learned Through My Adventures With Life and Breast Cancer” and “My Collective Soul: Things I Know Without Knowing Why” on Amazon.com. All books are available on Kindle.)

 

 

 

“Taken For Granted”

/ Anne Dennish / Leave a comment

I’ve been home and in my house for almost two weeks now, and I will say this, I’ve had a lot of time to think about so many things.

The main thing I was thinking about was all the things that I’ve taken for granted.

I always complained about how much I disliked going to the food store. I’ll never say it again because I miss being able to go.

I  sometimes felt that it was easier to reach out to someone by phone or text than try and meet somewhere in person. I’ll never feel that way again because I miss hugs, handshakes and being out in public.

I thought that everyone took kindness and compassion for granted but I don’t think that anymore because I’ve seen a State, a Country and the World show amazing examples of those qualities.

So many things that we all took for granted that I am sure will NEVER be taken for granted again. 

The world is a different place right now and we’re all living in a “new normal,” yet I think that is a good thing, especially if it’s taught us all how precious life is and how much of the “little things” we took for granted. 

Maybe, just maybe, we will all come through this a little different and a lot better. 

Maybe, just maybe, the entire world will, too.

It’s a good thing.

Stay calm. Stay safe. Stay home.

Wishing you love and light,

~Anne Dennish~

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