For most of my life, I have chosen to see the blessing that can stem from challenges. Often, it is in the challenge and questioning why you have to go through emotional pain to emotionally and spiritually grow.

It does not mean it’s easy or it will be painless, however, you realize your strength. It is in a time of crisis that you see the best of humanity or the worst of humanity.

Since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, people have been flocking to the store to stock up toilet paper and paper products. It’s during this crisis that you realize how much the daily necessities we take for granted and how many people go without.

The Coronavirus has made you think about the importance of caring about your neighbors. It’s not about what others can do for you, but what can you do for others and for your community. The Coronavirus helps shift your perspective of how the choices you make can have a positive or negative impact on others.

For many, the outside distractions fill the emotional void within yourself and when the daily distractions are taken away you are forced to go inward. You will walk out finding the peace within yourself and no longer needing anything outside yourself to make you feel whole. The Coronavirus has spiritually impacted the global community where each individual shares in the grief, fear, and joyous moments we are experiencing. If each individual takes a moment to pause, you will see there is a unique opportunity for the global community to focus on the power of healing.

Shifting inward eliminates the way we have tomorrow to change, to love, to forgive, to go after your dreams into living for the day. Living in the moment is embracing your authenticity and saying to the world, “Here I am.”

Here are some tips to shift your focus inward:

Set Realistic Expectations 

I have worked with many individuals who set goals that are unrealistic and what ends up happening is shame sets in. The shame of not achieving what you had hoped would make you feel fulfilled. Some people subconsciously set unrealistic goals because feeling shame is familiar and feel they are undeserving of success. When you learn how and implement setting realistic expectations, you push through the familiarity of shame and step into your light.

One example of setting realistic expectations is the following:

You want to start meditating every morning, during lunch, or at night. So, start out with just three minutes in the morning, during lunch, and at night and gradually build to longer amounts of time. Even three minutes of meditation daily or a few times of week will enhance your mental health

Gratitude List

Gratitude lists have the ability to shift into a mindset of peace. There is power in writing a daily gratitude list because it keeps in the moment. Have you ever thought about why It is easy to focus on what is not working in your life? What about focusing on the negative aspects of your life emotionally for you? When you stop and think about what it brings to your life, you realize that it stems from fear. Many people feel that if they allow good moments, that when disappointment happens it can be devastating. Many people will not allow themselves to celebrate goodness because disappointment is just around the corner lurking. When you shift your focus inwards, you realize the only person you are robbing of joy is yourself. That’s why gratitude lists have the ability to increase your happiness because you start learning how to allow even the smallest moments of goodness into your spirit.

Embracing Your Inner Child

Whether you have children or do not, embracing your inner child gets you in touch with your playful side. It can bring out the carefree side and can for the moment, decrease depression, fear, anxiety, and worry.

Here are steps to embrace your inner child:

• Use coloring books
• play games
• play with your children

During this tragic time-shifting inwards will bring you to a new sense of self and emerge with a new perspective on the world. You will have a greater sense of gratitude for going to the store to buy the basic necessities, hugging someone, being around the people you love, and the freedom to do what makes you happy. And remember, it’s always through tribulations that you find your strength.