Your chance to bounce higher …

No matter who you are, you feel the ramifications of the pandemic. You probably also feel less complacent.

If you haven’t gotten more creative and motivated yet, you can. You will, once you feel that spark of hope and begin to fan it.

Sometimes it takes things getting worse, even when you think they can’t. Recognizing that they can inspires gratitude for what you had and still have, as well as compassion for others. When I get sick, I find myself more thankful for my health and more empathetic toward those with chronic health issues.

Disaster calls us together — as a family, or a global community. It shifts the focus to what we have in common — and inevitably demonstrates the strength of alliance for mutual benefit.

In our mind’s eye, we put ourselves in our brother’s shoes. We realize that we share the same planet, the same economy, and the same DNA. We realize that roles are simply roles, subject to change. “Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down,” said Jimmy Durante.

Epic changes — in the home, the workplace and the community — may leave you wondering whether you’re climbing up or down the ladder. And as stereotypes crumble, you just might find the courage to lose your ego.

“Househusbands of Hollywood,” presented five high-powered, bread-winning wives and the men behind them. Trying on a partner’s role is a great tool for creating more understanding, which leads to acceptance. And acceptance goes a long way toward loving somebody, anybody!

As staff in the office shrinks, you could actually be confused about who’s doing what. And if you’re confused, you can imagine how confused outsiders are. I recently learned that I was leaving voicemails (for weeks) on a number that was no longer being checked at an assisted living facility.

Many people don’t know if they’re going to have a job tomorrow … but they know they’re not alone. And standing together, blurring the lines that can divide us, builds community.

When it seems like things can’t get worse, and they do, they just got better. It’s when the ball hits bottom that it starts to bounce up again.

“I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom,” said General George S. Patton.

We may be unable to defy gravity … but we can sure enough rebound. The best way to bail somebody else out may be to let him find out what he’s made of when he hits the ground.

Now is always the best time to discover who we are and start the ascension.

Many don’t know how far they can climb. They may think they just got lucky the first time up. Oh, I know, some of them did get lucky; some of them just knew somebody who got lucky! But that doesn’t mean they’re “bad” or “weak”; it only means they’re afraid that they are, which makes them terrified of falling.

If we are to succeed together, we can’t deny others the opportunity to discover their resiliency. We must help them to find and draw on their individual vigor, as well as the vigor of union.

Let’s rebound … and let’s do it together.