Are you finding the pandemic new normal difficult? Well, so did Keith Urban, he admitted he did not do well. It was hard for the singer, who loves to perform before large crowds, to suddenly become a couch potato. He was stranded at home with no place to go. What did he do? He complained about all the things he could not do. The problem with complaining, it makes you a victim of your circumstances. It is so easy to do, as it confirms you are right. It provides a perspective that life sucks. But life is a lot more than being right, it is more importantly about being happy. A wise friend advised Keith, after Keith complained about all things he could not do, to find the things he could do instead.
So, in May, Keith was one of the first to perform a drive-in concert for more than 200 medical workers at the Stardust Drive-in movie theater. He admits this was not on his bucket list, but he was grateful he could do it for the frontline workers.
Finding what you can do brings innovative thoughts and old patterns are replaced with new behaviors. It can be a simple act. For example, my friend wanted to go to lunch but I wanted to eat outside which is not enjoyable when it is 90+ with 100% humidity. So, instead we had an enjoyable breakfast in the cool of a hot summer day. Another example, my aerobic swimming class is usually held at a local hotel, but due to Covid, we were banned from the swimming pool. We moved a portion of our class, four of my neighbors, to a neighborhood pool which also decided to ban us. We then decided we could revamp our class to deep water aerobics and meet by our neighborhood dock. We grew to 12 ladies and met every day in July, August, and so far in September. This proved to be one of the many highlights of my summer, right behind the time I spent with my daughter. The neighborhood ladies had a place to meet safely social distancing, talk (politics and Covid discussions were discouraged), and exercise. We so enjoyed each other’s company; we were so happy to be together. We all felt better from the exercise. I am so grateful we found a solution.
The next time you complain, please realize that your complaining is your way of staying stuck in a current pattern. You are declaring that you have a right to be unhappy. I have found that justifications rarely make you happy more than five minutes. The adage, “you may not be able to change what happens to you, but you can change how you respond to it,” has never been truer than in 2020.
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, Change your attitude. Don’t complain! Maya Angelou
If you would like to hear Keith Urban’s interview in its entirety click here
If you would like to buy Keith Urban’s new album including songs that were influenced by the quarantine. click below:
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
