If you look beyond the wrinkles on my face and wind blown hair, you’ll see LIFE.

As I finished off my run today, this older couple was at the end, enjoying a picnic lunch, in their winter gear.

I’m glad the run was over because this image stopped me in my tracks.

They are LIVING…..in spite of it all.

In the midst of the fears, the unknowns, the media hype (that has all but shut our cities down), they showed up today.

They showed up to make a memory.

To smile and laugh.

And to live another day.

So did many others that I passed on the trail. Runners, people walking their dogs, and many others out and about enjoying the sun and another day of life.

I get it, friends.

We have to be cautious, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop living or making memories.

These are gifts!

Freely given to each one of us.

Instead of sitting inside, getting bogged down by Facebook rumors, the news, and preparing for it all to end…..go outside!!

It’s free.

It’s safe.

And it is a beautiful reminder of how good life truly is.

This is a bump in the road…it’s not a dead end.

As I ran this morning, some thoughts entered my head.

I wonder what would happen if we all stopped hoarding items, running around wildly like prey being chased, and started remembering how strong we all are?

Now don’t get me wrong, be proactive in your health and be prepared.

But please try to remember some basics in the midst of the chaos.

You can be part of the problem or…part of the solution. That is only for each of us to decide.

Let me share a story of preparation from my past.

When I was growing up, as a child of an alcoholic home, I never knew what to expect. I never knew what to be afraid of…or what could happen next.

So I decided to cover all bases and be prepared for anything.

I learned this through experiences.

There’s one night in particular that stands out in my mind and makes me think of our world today.

In 6th grade, I went to bed one ordinary night.

I wasn’t thinking anything bad would occur.

Now keep in mind, it was 20 or 30 below that night, as it was the middle of winter.

My parents had been drinking and fighting and my Dad came upstairs. He woke me up and told me to leave!

It’s the middle of the night and winter! I was scared, but he persisted so I went.

I had time to find my boots, throw my winter coat over my pajamas and go. I ended up hunkering down in the old family car….for hours.

I’m not going to lie and tell you I wasn’t cold.

It was brutal.

After a while I began to wonder how I could stay warm or what I should do. I got out and ran…yes ran…around the block of my neighborhood, to stay warm.

And it helped.

💥Taking action to control myself in a unknown situation calmed me. 💥

After a few hours had passed, I noticed the lights were out(so they must have gone to bed) and I snuck back in.

Before even going back to sleep that night, I found an extra backpack and packed it full of extra food(kipper snacks and crackers to be exact), an extra set of mittens and some cash.

I began preparing by putting my coat in my bedroom closet each day after school…and I always slept with my boots next to my bed.

💥I was proactive and prepared. 💥

Therefore, my father’s unexpected behavior became less and less scary to me each time.

Fear loses its power when we take back control over ourselves.

Remember that.

Fear and faith can NOT be in the same room together.

So whether you believe in God, Jesus, the universe, or nothing at all….get your head in order.

And please calm the FUCK down.

This is life…here… now…and you don’t have any control over that.

You can’t put in your planner who will or won’t get sick.

You can’t let the virus know when it works best in your schedule for it to arrive or manifest how it will change your environment.

So again, I implore each of you… take back YOUR Power.

The POWER inside of you 🦋

It’s just waiting to be unleashed.

And, friends…..One more important thing….

After you finish reading this…put down your phone !!!!

Go outside and breath in the fresh air God has given us today.

Play ball with your kids before they grow up!

Take that beautiful dog for a walk.

Smile and remember to LIVE……

In spite of it all🌈

Follow me on Facebook or Instagram…My blogs are meant to empower, embrace, and help all emerge from whatever is holding you back from being the most powerful YOU.

Sending you so much love and joy.

Linda ♥️