Day 139

Proud to be an american where at least I know I'm free...not to wear a mask! 

Florida, in the land of the free has surpassed New York as COVID-19 champion. It leads all states in number of cases with 423,847.  

Today is Tuesday July 28, 2020 today the world COVID-19 numbers look like this:

In positive news, at least two companies, Moderna and Pfizer are into large-scale human tests for their created vaccine.  The tests will continue for months until an effective vaccine is ready for the market. 

In the, that didn't take long catergory, MLB postponed two games today due to 14 Florida Marlins players tested positive for coronavirus.

In world news Hong Kong, Vietnam and North Korea all had increased virus cases this weekend resulting in evacuations and pulling back on dining in privileges. North Korea accused a South Korean defector of bringing in the virus and issued a state of emergency. 

It is interesting that in many of the interviews with people who are pushing to get kids back in schools for in person learning are focused on what kids need, but not many are talking about the risk to staff. 

If you feel like your emotions are out of control these days well you're not the only one.

Many people in this time feel emotional intensity or feel as though their emotions are controlling them.  You may feel impulsively emotional or over reactive to news or data you have read about the virus outbreak and pandemic.  There are steps you can take to regain control and settle into life of control. First, get control of your habits that lead to out of control emotions. If you are in the habit of putting yourself down because you make a simple error then begin by being aware of your inner thoughts.  Just because we tell ourselves something does not make it true.

Be careful not to believe every thought you tell yourself especially if they tend to be negative.

“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.”

― Marcus Aurelius

Cast your dye in truth and rational thought. Do not be impulsive.  Do not allow negative thoughts to become habit forming. 

Second, rely on people you trust to comfort you. Seek counsel from level-headed thinkers and good listeners who know you and love.  And while it is good to have those confidants it is also important to be confident in yourself and your own ability to deal with the state of your life.

“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.”

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Third, don't judge emotions understand them. Just because an emotion is making you feel bad doesn't necessarily make the emotion bad. We are taught to suppress our anger and fear and sorrow, but is that human?  We are human because of our ability to emote feelings based on experiences.  We ought not to criticize how we feel.  There are valid reasons for our emotions. The key is to control them.  Allow them to be for time, but regain control and move forward. 

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.”

— Joseph Campell

Last, take care of your physical self.  The mind and body connection is real. Eat healthy, exercise and get enough sleep to strengthen and nurture your body.  Build a durable frame and you will keep a sane and rational frame of mind.