This pandemic is turning into a marathon… It’s time to catch your second wind.
You aren’t nearly through this adventure yet.”
—J. R. R. Tolkien
They’ve all been interesting, but this week’s headlines have been especially compelling.
Wouldn’t you agree? I’m wondering how to make sense of the whole of it all, if that’s even possible.
But then three simple thoughts that fit our situation found their way to me this past week…
- As the saying goes, “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over”
- Finding your second wind looks like a good strategy
- Open your heart and mind for learning something new
… and with the help of some great quotes the whole thing came together.
Let’s begin with “It ain’t over…”
We’ve all been at this pandemic thing for too long now. But all indications are that we’ll be at it for a while longer.
I stumbled across this quote from comedian, Chris Rock. I can’t think of anything that sums up the whole COVID-19 situation in America any better. You tell me.
When you think the fight’s over, that’s when you really get your ass whupped.”
—Chris Rock, ESQUIRE, March 1999
Friends, that’s exactly what we’ve done. We thought the fight was over.
The last play may be under review, but it sure looks like we fumbled the ball…
So, are you ready for HALFTIME?
Hey, what’s with all the sports analogies? Hang with me, there’s nothing over the top here.
If you’re a Facebook user, you know they occasionally give you the chance to reshare a post from your history. This is from one of mine a year ago where I had quoted a good friend of mine.
I’m a big fan of viewing the… July 4th Holiday as ‘Halftime’ for the year — a chance to step back, press reset, assess progress, and decide what changes need to be made to the action plan for the second half of the year!”
—Michael Hudson, Strategist, Coach, & Keynote Speaker
I’ll ask you again… Are you ready for halftime? Nice idea, isn’t it? Try to do as much of that as you can. Especially the part about pressing ‘reset.’
Okay, so how do we go forward? What’s the best strategy?
The idea of a second wind can help us find the right mindset to assess where things are now and to map out a good way forward.
Ask yourself, what can I do now to help me catch a second wind? You do have one, you know. It’s still there… deep down. But keep in mind, you haven’t had to call on it in a while.
Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.”
—William James, philosopher and psychologist
Believe in it, you can find your second wind. Pause for a moment and ask, “where am I right now?” Then think about what you will need to stay the course.
Take a breath and say to yourself, “I’ve got this.”
The last step is to open your heart and mind for learning.
Whether cultural, humanitarian, political, environmental, or whatever—a common question keeps coming up. The exact context doesn’t matter. The question is this… what lessons are we to learn from these times and these circumstances?
Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”
— Pema Chödrön
What is it we need to learn?
With a little humility, we can do this… We can get through it.
Let’s find that second wind.
Be untucked.
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Copyright © 2020 Jeff Meister – All Rights Reserved
Love your article Jeff but this ole boy and his running days are over. That’s the problem I believe, we need to stop, access our position and correct our issues accordingly. Face the music so to speak but at the same time listen even harder. Sticks and stones have broken many bones and words of hate will never really be forgotten. Let’s buck up and agree to disagree and move forward together. Happy 4th of July Celebration my friend and May God Bless the USA!
Oh, my running days are over too, Mike! Thanks for your wise and thoughtful comment. You’ve said that very well… I’m with you. Let’s move forward together and we’ll all get to where we want to be. God Bless and Happy 4th to you too, my friend!