What are your three things?

No one would argue that this Pandemic has gone on longer than anyone could predict.  The first month, I thought this isn’t bad. It’s nice to be able to stay at home and enjoy my surroundings.  I can catch up on some long overdue home projects as well as enjoy a few made from scratch meals.  

Currently, we are well into our 5th month of numerous restrictions.  Our Governor initiates a few re-opening guidelines only to pull them back a few weeks later.  Apparently, the infection rate is not slowing down.  I understand the importance of slowing and hopefully eliminating the spread of COVID -19.  That being said, what is a person to do to keep one’s spirits up and have a sense of stability during these crazy times. 

I have come up with three things that I pretty much do every day.  The routine of doing these is calming for me.  

1. I exercise.  Most mornings, I get out of bed, grab a cup of coffee, and ride my recumbent bike for 30 minutes.  I add some arm exercises using 8lb weights.   Thanks to Spotify, I have ample stations to keep me energized. It’s a great way to start the day. 
2. I practice my piano.  In the evenings, I go down to my music room and run through my scales.  I then move on to some classical tunes.  I end my piano session with a few pop tunes from the seventies.  Playing some Creedence Clearwater always makes me smile.   I can feel my technique improving over these past few months. 
3. I simply love a glass of Chardonnay. I told a good friend of mine that this is my COVID medication. This has become my after-work ritual.   It has to be chilled and served in my favorite stemware.   I sip it slowly and feel the alcohol doing its work.  The tensions of the day start to disappear—everything in moderation they say. 

I’m not saying that I don’t have moments of high anxiety. It’s hard to live in a world where no one can tell us how long this virus will last.  However, I do feel my three daily habits are something I can count on and something I can control.  I would encourage you to find a daily routine that will give you some predictability in our unpredictable world.