Seven Affirmations to Cope with the Coronavirus Pandemic

Like everyone else, I’m trying to make sense of this tumultuous time here on planet Earth. I have worries about the health of my family, friends, clients and myself. I wonder how the financial implications of the pandemic will impact my business and retirement plans. Negative feelings like this are valid, and to be expected. They need to be expressed in healthy ways so we can move to a positive and empowered mindset. 
     This weekend I was journaling to express some of my anxiety and to seek solutions. After a few minutes of venting my feelings, I spontaneously began writing affirmations to challenge my negative thoughts. Affirmations are statements, in the present tense, about what we want to achieve or experience. They challenge our negative, self sabotaging thoughts and move us to take action where we can, both in our behaviors and our mindset. Below are my affirmations and I hope they may resonate with you as well.

1. I accept the current circumstances in our world and limit the time I worry, complain and wish things were different.
2. I embrace curiosity over fear. Curiosity prompts me to explore the opportunities in this situation, instead of being frozen in fear or lashing out in anger.
3. I trust there will be wisdom, beauty, grace and compassion in the midst of chaos and challenge.
4. I create new opportunities to positively impact others in a world changed by the pandemic.
5. I use my time intentionally. My empty social calendar is an opportunity to care for my physical health, self reflect through journaling and meditation, and to engage in something I’ve been putting off because I told myself I didn’t have time. 
6. I express gratitude for the abundance always available in the world, the beauty of nature, kindness in others, laughter, music, a good book, toilet paper.
7. I believe this crisis will pass and ultimately create healing and connection in our country and the global community. 

     Affirmations work when we repeat them on a regular basis, preferably saying them aloud in addition to reading them. You can use mine as they are, tweak them to meet your needs, or create your own affirmations to challenge the automatic negative thoughts. We must not forget that our positive thoughts and actions add to the collective and have the power to change the world for the better.
                                                   Sending everyone a germ free hug!