Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Dealing with Tension

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #12 Manage emotions in a healthy way.

Listen to this blogpost on Anchor
https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Dealing-with-Tension-eeu7vi

and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HrjTRGiBsnvWU17syAOEk

Do you feel the tension in the air?

Did you feel it in March as everybody wondered if Covid-19 was going to descend upon their
home and kill their family members?

Did you feel it in April as weariness of the stay at home orders felt exhausting,
as the weariness of finding toilet paper and hand sanitizer challenged even the most determined,
and as the weariness of the unknown wore on and on?

Did you feel it in May as people mingled words of fear, freedom, masks,
safe social distancing, vulnerable, open economy, unemployment, "subject to change"?
What's safe? What's not? What's the future hold?

It is as if everyone has the tension of a stretched rubber band.

And then the tragedy of George Floyd. The policeman who killed him, along with the other
policemen at the scene acted, horribly horrifyingly. I don't know of anyone thinks what they did
was right. What they did was clearly wrong. (My sympathies to the loved ones of Mr. Floyd.)

People exploded.  Peaceful protests I understand, but I struggle to comprehend how
burning buildings and harming more people solves anything in this complex issue.

Who is the enemy? Other people are not the enemy.
The enemy is Satan. Thankfully, Jesus conquered Satan for us.
We are citizens of Heaven, but reside only temporarily on this earth.
Because of Jesus death on the cross and His resurrection on Easter, we live with the
hope of Heaven, where death shall be no more.

In my extended Hinz Family, each week someone picks out the "Hinz Family Bible verses" for all
of us to read each day. Here are the verses my sister picked out three weeks ago for all of us to read
on these dates. It gives me goose bumps to think of how God was speaking so directly to me through His Word.

Tuesday May 26

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there
be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:4)‬ ‭

Thursday May 28

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:9-12)

Friday May 29

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another.
Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
Never be wise in your own sight. (Romans 12:14-16)

Saturday May 30

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God,
for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."  (Romans 12:17-19)

In these days of tension, how can you manage your emotions in a healthy way?
What are ways you deal with emotions?
Here are a few good choices to think about: exercising, journaling, laughing, crying, deep breathing, being still. 

I challenge you to...Hold fast to what is good.
Live in harmony with one another. So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 

Covid-19 Challenge. 

Exercise often. 

Experience nature every day. 

Interact with others in outside settings whenever possible. 

Wear masks inside in public places. 

Wash your hands. 

Be thankful.  

Spread kindness and laughter.

Keep your eyes on God.  

Please "follow me" so you will be notified of when the next blog post is available.

Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Joy

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #11 Identify JOYS

Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-JOY-eeku2n
and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KCDmPMIx15EZBESkT4L2G

Starting in late February and continuing to really ramp up in March and April, it seemed like all conversations with my Dr. Husband focused on Covid-19. After a while it became a bit depressing and exhausting. I definitely needed some new conversation topics. 

When Deb Burma, https://debburma.com/ on a FB Live event, posed a JOY challenge, I took it: Using the letters of your name, identify joys in your life. I challenge you to do the same!

As my husband and I went for a beautiful sunset walk later that evening, we each used the letters from our names to identify joys in our life. We had an uplifting time as we laughed and discussed the joys in our life. 

This is where we often walk in the evening, one block from our home:



Here are my JOYS:

K-kindness & kisses (chocolate & otherwise)
A-adventures (traveling, etc especially to beach & Lake Powell)
R-red...red flowers, red convertible, red birds (baby cardinals this week!!!) etc.
E-exercise
N-neighbors & noon day sunshine

S-sons & sisters
U-mUsic & mUsicals
E-encouraging & encouragement

M-motherhood, mentoring, mentees
U-understanding (from others as they forgive me & as I learn new things)
R-Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
D-David (hubby) & daughters-in-law
Y-Yahweh God!!

As I think about these joys, I realize that all of these are blessings from God. Around 400 BC, Nehemiah declared "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b) Now many years later, these words still ring true for our lives and especially during this Covid-19 craziness, the joy of Lord is truly my strength! 

I hope this list of my joys helps you get started with yours. Please share your joys with others! (Feel free to post them below.) 

Write them down in a journal to remember and to remind yourself of the joys in your life.  

As Deb writes in her FB post, "With God's help, you can step off that struggle bus as you engage in something that gives you JOY-that helps you see the JOY that's already yours!" 

Covid-19 Challenge
Shutting down during Covid-19 was hard, but opening up is just as hard or harder. We all need to be kind, respectful, and understanding.  
I encourage you to continue being active several minutes every hour and spending some time outside in nature every day. 
To help everyone stay healthy and keep the economy moving:
1. Hand washing.
2. Physical distancing  (6 feet) from people not in your household.
3. Mask wearing if you are inside at public places. 
4. Staying home if you are sick.

Please "follow me" so you will be notified of when the next blog post is available. 

Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm: Kindness

Tips for THRIVING

Tip # 9 Be kind. 
Listen to this blogpost on Anchor https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Kindness-edm1fm
and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3sL94yxETtLQdUbxPt8MKf

One thing I really love about Covid-19 is kindness. Everywhere I turn I see acts of kindness. I am so happy to see the words of the Apostle Paul being lived out during this pandemic. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts and kindness." Colossians 3:12a

*From the beginning, there was a camaraderie in finding grocery items. As a neighbor walked by my house, she heard me telling someone that I needed milk. She told me she had extra from Costco and within minutes she dropped a carton of milk on my porch.  A friend texted (after reading the blogpost about my minipanic with lack of Jif-read about that here 
https://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2020/04/courage-through-covid-19-storm-do-not.html), "I'm at the grocery store and they have Jif; do you want me to buy some for you?" Amongst my neighborhood, groceries have been passed around to those who need it. Out of toilet paper? Someone will drop some off on your porch! Need lemons? Someone will drop some off on your porch! Want some yeast? Someone will drop it off on your porch! Longing for ice cream? (That would be me!) Someone will drop it off on your porch!

*Birthday parades mark these pandemic milestones. Car decorations, honking and hollering, and general merry-making have brought joy during "social-distancing". My son-who declared he couldn't turn 18 since the state was shut down-thoroughly enjoyed his lively  drive-by birthday parade by his kind friends who designed signs and creatively decorated their cars. My favorite was the Dr. Pepper cans tied on and jangling behind a car.

*Fences have become billboards of encouragement. "Be the rainbow in someone else's life" is chalked in bright colors on the fence down the street. Cheers for health care workers and other positive messages of kindness and inspiration are posted on fences around town.

*Sidewalks have also become places for encouraging words. As I walk through the neighborhood, many smiles and words of encouragement are etched on the sidewalks. On my son's birthday, his friends delighted us with birthday greetings on the driveway, street, and sidewalk by our house.




*I love the surprises. The day before Easter, we were egged, with 12 Easter eggs full of yummy candy and this sign taped to our door "You've been egged. There are 12 eggs hidden in your yard. Don't be discouraged when you find the empty egg. It is simply a reminder of Jesus' empty tomb-for He is risen." On my son's birthday, "Happy Birthday" signs were left in our yard by a mysterious person. A May Day basket filled with flowers and candies was hung on our front door.

*Perhaps one of my favorite kindness stories, comes from Trader Joe's in Ann Arbor, MI. For years, my sister has shopped at Trader Joe's and has developed an affinity to almond butter chocolate cups. Because she is high risk, she has not been leaving her house, except to go for some fresh air walks. I called Trader Joe's. After discussing my sister's situation, and even though this location does not do curbside, they were willing to do a curbside delivery and they donated the eight tubs of chocolate cups to her. WOW.  Even as I write this, their kindness brings tears to my eyes.

*And maybe kindness is wearing a mask when you are out in public places, particularly indoors! Even if you do not want to, it might be what we need to get the economy up and running, to keep people employed, and to protect the vulnerable in our community.

Kudos to everyone who is showing kindness in this Covid-19 craziness! Share your kindness stories to encourage others. How can you show kindness to someone? It might be to show kindness to someone in your own household... playing yet another game with your children. It might be to show kindness to someone living alone...making a phone call, armed with a listening ear and with a joke or funny store to make someone laugh. It might be to show kindness to your neighbors or friends...preparing yourself with chalk or birthday signs or needed groceries.

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

Wash your hands. Wear a mask and do NOT touch your face-especially when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household. 

Please "follow me" so you will be notified of when the next blog post is available. 
UP NEXT TIME: Apologizing

"Courage Through the Covid-19 Storm": Exercise

Tips for THRIVING

Tip #6 Stay Active
Listen to this blog post here on Anchor  https://anchor.fm/karen-sue-murdy/episodes/Courage-Through-the-Covid-19-Storm-Exercise-ecq0ea 
or here on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4TEmdQWT1WJZwufFQODoYn

What would Mom and Dad do in Covid-19? They would walk, just like they always did, rain or shine. Sadly, they have both been gone for far too many years now. Long before exercise was even a thing, for as long as I can recall, probably back into the 1960's, they exercised. Some of my earliest favorite memories are of walking to the park.  When my sisters were on the high school track team, the entire family would walk to the track, so my sisters could practice.  I would ride my red and white tricycle around the track as fast as my little legs would pedal. Such happy memories. Even when Mom was on her death bed with cancer, she insisted we take her out for a walk! Sometimes that included two or three of us basically carrying her for a short walk down the driveway; but it made her so happy.
If I could ask my parents why they exercised, here is what I think they would say:
1. Mental reasons: Exercise made them feel happy, good and lowered stress levels.
2. Physical reasons: Exercise made them stronger. (When raising six kids, it's good to be strong.) Exercise made them healthier. Mom always had high cholesterol and my parents had family histories of heart disease and high blood pressure.
They loved chocolate and ice cream. If you know my own love for chocolate, no surprise there. Exercise allowed them to burn extra calories to make up for some of those sweets.
3. Relationship reasons: Exercise was a time for my mom and dad to laugh, to recall fun memories, and to dream together. Exercise was a time to solve scheduling issues and resolve problems.
4. Family reasons: Exercise was an inexpensive and positive way to enjoy family time together.
5. Social reasons: Exercise was a time to interact with people in the community.
What are YOUR reasons (benefits) for exercising? Make a list and post it on your refrigerator.

My parents had six children. We all exercise. This picture was taken a few months ago at a family wedding gathering when several of my siblings, in-laws, and kids were out walking:

My husband and I have been in a great exercise routine for almost a year now.  Prior to that we had been in an exercise routine for many years. But with moving, our exercise plan was disrupted, which often happens with change. Throughout our moving process we were always good with walking, the aerobic part of our exercise plan, but we fumbled a bit with strength training. Eventually I found an exercise facility close to our home, with the equipment and hours we wanted. And we got back on track. Now with Covid-19, like so many other places, our exercise facility is closed. For a few weeks we fumbled again, but after some adjustments to get our strength training set up at home, we are back on track. We borrowed some weights from a neighbor who was not using them. We got our sturdy foot stool out to be our step up platform and so on. (And we have added wearing our masks when we walk outside.) My daughter-in-law, with her exercise facility closed now too, has switched to using online videos for her strength training. 
Lack of time is usually the number one barrier for people. Many people are now working from home sans commute; can you convert your commute time to exercise?
What are YOUR barriers to exercise and how can you overcome them?

Like anything else, scheduling an activity on the calendar, helps make it a priority. When do YOU plan to exercise? Look at your calendar at the beginning of the week and mark down your exercise times for each day.


Even though it is important to physical distance right down, please encourage those in your circles of contact, through phone calls and social media, to exercise. My doctor husband is noticing an increase in health issues due to inactivity such as blood clots. Especially for those who are elderly and at high risk, getting some activity every day is very important for good physical and mental health.  

On my blog, I have other exercise posts available for you to read. Here are a few to check out. https://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2016/09/exercise-on-challenge.html  
https://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2016/12/don-your-exercise-shoes.html 
https://karensuemurdy.blogspot.com/2014/03/from-new-years-resolutions-to-march.html

American College of Sports Medicine has an excellent resource page for staying physically active during the Covid-19 pandemic (including free at home workout videos). I encourage to take a look. https://www.acsm.org/read-research/newsroom/news-releases/news-detail/2020/03/16/staying-physically-active-during-covid-19-pandemic


Now more than ever, as people are working from home, children are out of school, this is a perfect time to start a healthy family tradition.
What legacy are you leaving behind for your loved ones? 
What are your benefits for exercise?
What are your barriers for exercise?
What is your plan for exercise?

Covid-19 Challenge: Set a timer for 60 minutes and when it rings, gather everyone in your household to take a one minute walk outside and around a tree or two, each person sharing something for which s/he is thankful now. REPEAT. 

(If you are alone, do the same, but text someone what you are thankful for when you come back inside.)

Wash your hands. Wear a mask and do NOT touch your face-especially when you are out of your home (like going to the grocery store). Try to stay 6 feet apart from those not living in your household. 

Please "follow me" so you will be notified of when the next blog post is available. 
UP NEXT TIME: Expectations