Retired teacher Kitty O’Meara’s poem And the people stayed home is being widely circulated, and there’s a reason for this. Though it talks about remaining in place, it also speaks to what happens when we find ourselves open to being centered on our core—the very thing that makes us who we are—who you love and what you value. It is really Perfect Day language!
Plus, it ends in hope, and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t need a good dose of hope right now.
And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.
And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed. —Kitty O’Meara
Life is different now; and when this is over, it will take time for us to see things as being “back to normal” or back in a routine.
If you have money in the stock market, know that it will come back. Why, because the market is based on supply and demand, or “fear and greed.” It will go so low and then it will come back.
Keep Hope in Front of You
While there’s a lot of people, who are scared, but you need to keep hope in front of you. You need to keep your right perspective. I have read where some are angry at their circumstances and at those who offer hope. I understand, for some, who are physically and emotionally struggling, you don’t want to hear about “life being better once we get through this.”
Your concern is for today—right now—this minute. Forget all the minutes in the future.
I want to fall on my sword for a moment. Most of you know I was scheduled to climb Mt. Everest in May to raise money for cancer prevention. This climb has been a goal of mine for years. But like so much in our world at this moment, my trip was cancelled and my goal to raise $1 million in support of cancer prevention was stopped—for a moment. Read on because I’m going forward!
Covid-19 came without warning. It’s what we call in the financial world a “Black Swan Event,” but we do not have to hid or cower under its wings.
Create a Solid Plan
If you have a solid financial plan in place, you should be able to make it through times like these without deep concern. If you don’t have a trusted adviser, I would like to help you set up a plan that is “virus proof.” Call for a 15-minute free consultation, and we’ll get started.
Like the poem advises, I would say let’s make the most of these days. Now more than ever, it’s important to apply the Perfect Day principles of 411 to your life! What 4 things can you do before 11 am that will lead to your Perfect Day. These include your core (who you love, your family, friends, and your values), your experiences, your spiritual well-being, and your finances.
Do things differently. Make a pivot. Call someone on the phone who you have not spoken with for a while, pray, meditate, reconnect with your family or loved ones. Build out a plan for new experiences; contribute to the well-being of others right now in some small way. Call in a takeout order from a local restaurant and add a tip. Send a Thank You card to a healthcare worker. Give and make it count.
Perfect Days are not perfect, but they become perfect when you and I take advantage of the experience of moments like these. Hope comes from having the right perspective.
Recently, someone gave me this quote: “The harder the climb, the better the view.” I would never say something like this on my own because it feels like a cliché but, I hate to say it, it’s true.
This is a hard climb not just for our country but our world. I believe that when it is over you will have a better view of life, your core values, your finances, and your experiences.
So, what are you doing to make this day a Perfect Day? I’ll tell you what I’m doing, I’m going forward with my Everyday Everest Campaign to raise money and awareness for cancer. I’m continuing to ask you to go online and take the healthcare pledge only not just for cancer this time but for your health today and tomorrow.
The reason I’m continuing is because cancer never takes a day off! Our health concerns at every level continue. Please take a moment and take the health pledge for you and then pass it on to those you love.
This is a time of reprioritization. Take it to heart and ask yourself: “What do I need to do to reprioritize my life? Then do it and make it a Perfect Day!
About The Author: Cokie Berenyi
Cokie Berenyi has been in financial services and serving the needs of individual and institutional clients and entrepreneurs since 1996. Mother, author, business owner, financial “samurai” and Perfect Day engineer, Cokie loves food, wine, travel, stray dogs, goat cheese, tennis, and alpine mountaineering.
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