GUEST POST: Staying Positive by Lonnie Dupre

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.

Dolly Parton

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I met legendary Arctic explorer, Lonnie Dupre, when he agreed to come on my radio program. He only recently summited Mount Denali…solo…IN WINTER. What caught my attention was not only the achievement itself, but the mindset he needed to adopt in order to follow through, even in the face of setbacks. It wasn’t lost on me that he listens to classical music to stay focused, calm, centered, brave and empowered. We have since become friends and last summer, hiked a few trails on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

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For what its worth and perhaps stating the obvious, here are my two cents.

We don’t know what this virus will do to us. It could mean life or death. So staying put for a few weeks to months is a short personal sacrifice compared to one’s potential future.

It could very well turn out to be months that we need to keep a distance from family, friends and neighbors. When even just the first 14 days seems like an eternity.

To get through this, one needs to first be optimistic and train your mind by understanding and excepting that we could be in this for the long haul.

Look at it as a long and grueling expedition that needs some planning and is implemented in small steps – day by day, step by step.

Look at it as a long and grueling expedition that needs some planning and is implemented in small steps – day by day, step by step. Don’t be thinking about the finish line or when this will all end. Look at this as a challenge on how you can best adapt. Stay optimistic and look for the bright spots that keep you motivated to climb out of the bed each morning.

Reasons to be optimistic

• It makes people stop and think about what’s important in life…family, getting in touch with nature, contemplating life in general, long walks in the park, making that long put-off call to a distant friend.
• The virus doesn’t care if you are rich, poor, old, young, male, female, black or white. The virus is a great equalizer that will bring people closer together.
• These times make us reflect on what we are doing to our planet and each other.
• The earth’s environment and animals get a break from all the pollution with air quality getting better each day.
• We soon realize that the world doesn’t revolve around us and we are not the only things that matter.
• This will humble us.
• This changes life around the world as we know it. A re-set button to perhaps something better.

How to stay energized

• Write that book you always wanted to do or undertake that building or landscaping project.
• Have a camping expedition with the family in your backyard. In preparations for future trips. Kids will love it too!
• Give back and plant a few trees.
• Tackle that list of putzy jobs around the house.
• Step in and volunteer in your community.
• Take an online class. Perhaps learn a new language, photography…
• Plant a garden, get chickens, train a new puppy…
• Get out of bed, eat good, and exercise.
• Allow yourself to just be. Try and relax to lower your stress. You can’t control what is, just care for what you can.

Warm healthy regards, Lonnie