When you’re going through hell, KEEP GOING – Winston Churchill

This too will pass – Persian adage

Our brains are hardwired for survival.  That’s a good thing….it helps us… well, survive.  But it also has a couple sometimes  detrimental side effects that can damage our peace of mind especially in incredibly difficult times like those we are currently facing. There are things we can do, however, to help manage our overly survival oriented tendencies and help us not only survive, but maintain a level of peace, contentment and maybe even a little joy – even during a decidedly joyless time.

SURVIVAL MODE –  Our brains are still hardwired the same as those in primitive man.  They are programmed to be hyper vigilant to protect ourselves from all of the dangers that primitive man faced on a moment by moment basis.  And programmed to really focus on negative things.  Negative things are what, after all, could hurt us.  If we miss one positive thing, no great harm, just a little lost opportunity.  But if we miss one negative thing, whoa, that could actually be the last thing we ever miss….. So that’s how our brains work normally, in the best of times when we feel we have some understanding, control and certainty in our lives. 

Now throw in COVID19 and our poor primitive brains are suddenly thrown into overdrive.  We’re in lockdown and have nothing to do but overthink even more than usual and feed that survival instinct.  I mean we can’t even go outside without literally taking our lives into our hands, there is a killer out there, its constantly on the news, we can’t go to work, how will we pay our bills, we are separated from friends and family, we can’t do the activities we love, what if we run out of TOILET PAPER…..oh no…oh no…OH NO!!!

STOP!  Now, maybe more than ever before, emotional survival may require learning to manage our brain’s hard-wired physical survival tendencies. This COVID19 threat is real – no sugar coating that.  And we absolutely have to understand what’s happening, know what we should be doing to protect ourselves and others, and plan accordingly.  What we do NOT have to do is obsess and focus on it exclusively 24/7. 

Even though our brains want to hyper vigilantly think about all of the negative, horrible circumstances; letting that go on unchecked can DO YOUR HEAD IN.  Focussing so hard on taking care of our physical health may in fact be taking a huge toll on our emotional health – which is just as important.  Luckily, there are tried and true ways to control that survival monster in our brains and bring a level of peace, serenity and joy – even when things seem very dark.  We may even find silver linings along the way.

STOP THINKING AND BREATH – Amazingly the simple act of purposefully deep breathing can be very relieving.  Deep breathing deactivates the fight or flight response and reduces the associated stress hormones which, if left hanging around too long can impair the immune system.  It also immediately improves calming and blood pressure.  Take that deep breathing one step further into practicing mindfulness.  Take some time out and be completely focussed on what is right in front of us in that present moment, without judgement and without any other thinking for a while.  There are lots of sources for self guided mindfulness or meditation available.  Check one out and fit it into something we enjoy doing – running, drawing, gardening, woodworking.  Turning off our other thoughts for a while is not easy at first, our brains don’t want to relax and give up their survival tactics.  We have to keep reminding ourselves to push our thoughts away….just for that little while.  But just like working out any other muscle, the more we do it, the easier it becomes. And research has shown we can actually build new more peaceful, serene and positive neuro-pathways in our brains allowing us the ability to choose a more peaceful path the next time we are faced with a high stress situation. 

ACCEPT – Acceptance is such a misunderstood concept.  It does NOT mean giving up trying to change the things we can – like win the fight against this virus.  It DOES mean to stop emotionally fighting against the things we cannot change.  Focussing on thoughts like: how could this have happened, this cannot be real, its not fair, I HATE THIS SITUATION; do nothing but further damage our emotional health.  It IS here, it IS what it is.  Continually fighting that is just a recipe for continually reliving the pain.  It doesn’t fix it,  but DOES make us upset, anxious and stressed.  Acceptance doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt at all – but accepting the hurt and then letting it go, stopping dwelling on it and immersing in it, does wonders for reducing stress.

BUILD – Three of the biggest contributors to one’s happiness are gratitude, doing good for others, and having strong personal relationships.  Look at what is happening in the world as a result of COVID19 on each of those factors.  Gratitude is not only flourishing but doing so very publicly in terms of thanks for ALL of the fighters in this war. Embracing the beauty of solitude can also be reason for personal gratitude. It gives us the chance to remember so many things we’ve forgotten how to appreciate due to our busy lifestyles, like the remarkable miracle of spring blooming or a bird flying – things we started taking for granted since we first saw that thing flying in the sky and named it a bird…and then never thought about it again. Now we have nothing but time now to remember how to smell the theoretical roses without the pressures of FOMO, distractions, obligations.

We’ve also become remarkably creative at new ways to do good for others.  In this scary time most of us are LIVING self-sacrifice for the benefit of the greater good.  Not to mention all of us who are determined to find ways to bring needed supplies to our neighbors, make the tools we need to fight this war like masks, bring joy through all access concerts or entertainment, or just writing beautiful messages of hope in our windows or with chalk on the sidewalk. And even though we cannot be with our friends and loved ones, rather than letting that hurt our relationships we’ve instead been even more conscious of strengthening them in proactive and sometimes creative ways with phone calls, zoom, or just waving across the courtyard.

THIS TOO WILL PASS.  The last thing anyone wants is to survive COVID19 just to find the anxiety from obsessing on fear and disappointment has manifested as other physical issues.  Be safe and take care of both physical AND emotional health.  And embrace the silver linings (new peaceful neuro-pathways, new appreciation for the beauty in life, having done some GOOD) we are learning from this crazy, scary, but enlightening period in our shared history.  There is PLENTY of toilet paper.

When my fellow blogger Marianne Goss offered some editing books, as I mentioned in a previous post, one of them I brought home was “On Language” by William Safire (New York, TIMES BOOKS, 1980). I recognized quickly that this book, a collection of definitions (and letters from readers) culled from his New York Times language column, could be a source of a series of posts. I sat down with some sticky notes to mark my favorites.

Good news, sticky-note makers: I just counted 22 notes stuck to the book.

So here comes another series, probably intermittent, considering the present circumstances.

Thanks to the internet, one of the more famous excerpts from Safire’s column is “Fumblerules,” listed in this book as “fumblerules of grammar.”  They are the rules that include the mistakes they warn against, such as

“Avoid run-on sentences they are are hard to read.

“Don’t use no double negatives

“Don’t use contractions in formal writing”

and

“Last but not least, avoid cliches like the plague, seek viable alternatives.”
You may have seen those, but missed Safire’s “”Fumblerules Follow-up.” Here’s some of it:

“Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.

“If a dependent clause precedes an independent clause put a comma after the dependent clause.

“One will not have needed the future perfect in one’s entire life.

“Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.”

“De-accession euphemisms.”

“Avoid colloquial stuff.”

So come on along, fellow word mavens, as I share some of the funny lessons from the master.

Margaret Serious has a page on Facebook.

“On Language” was already taken — that’s one reason I stuck with Margaret Serious. Subscribe today to find out what else is here!  Type your e-mail address in the box and click the “create subscription” button. My list is completely spam-free, and you can opt out at any time.

Behind the ear hearing aids can pose a greater risk for loss. Removing glasses, flipping off a hat or hood, or removing a scarf are examples of how hearing aids can go flying off the ear. An active adult or child may forget to check that the hearing aid is still in place. Wearing a mask with behind the ear hearing aids certainly poses a new challenge. We have already gotten a few calls from patients who lost hearing aids by taking a mask on and off.

We’ve heard complaints that the mask is not comfortable when worn with behind the ear hearing aids. After all, unless you have a large space between your scalp and ear, there’s limited real estate to work with. Anyone who wears both hearing aids and eyeglasses knows what I’m talking about.

Here are 4 solutions that may help

1. If you have long hair, pull it back in a bun and loop the elastics around the bun.
2. Sew 2 large buttons onto a soft headband. Placing the buttons to line up with each ear will allow the mask to sit properly. Looping the elastic around each button will take the strain off of your ears.

3. If you know someone who crochets or sews, you can create an extension out of fabric, ribbon or yarn that is 4 inches long. Buttons sewn on either side allows for a place to put the elastic of the mask other than your ears.

4. There are YouTube videos on creating masks that tie, which puts absolutely no pressure on the ears.

We’d love to hear if you have any other creative solutions. Don’t forget that we’re here for you. Let us know how we can help.

The 2020 NFL Draft begins in only 10 days, with commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the first round selections from… his basement. Obviously this will be a draft experience unlike anything we’ve ever seen because of the COVID-19 pandemic; the show was supposed to be over-the-top in Las Vegas, but now it will come from people’s homes.

That doesn’t mean lives won’t change beginning on April 23rd. It’s safe to assume Joe Burrow and Chase Young, once teammates at Ohio State, will be the first two names called. But after that it gets interesting in a hurry. There could be a lot of movement up and down the draft because of depth at some positions (like wide receiver, defensive front seven) – and limited viable options at other (especially tight end).

Again, we aren’t forecasting any trades in this mock draft – the teams are selecting where they own the picks as of the morning of Monday, April 13.

Let’s get started. Here are six (6) full rounds.

ROUND ONE

1. Cincinnati – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
2. Washington – Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
3. Detroit – Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
4. NY Giants – Jedrick Willis Jr, OT, Alabama
5. Miami – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
6. LA Chargers – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
7. Carolina – Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
8. Arizona – Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
9. Jacksonville – Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
10. Cleveland – Mekhi Bekton, OT, Louisville
11. NY Jets – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
12. La Vegas – Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
13. San Francisco (from IND) – Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
14. Tampa Bay – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
15. Denver – CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
16. Atlanta – K’Lavon Chaisson, OLB, LSU
17. Dallas – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
18. Miami (from PIT) – D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
19. Las Vegas (from CHI) – Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
20. Jacksonville (from LAR) – Antoine Winfield Jr, S, Minnesota
21. Philadelphia – Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
22. Minnesota (from BUF) – Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
23. New England – Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
24. New Orleans – Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
25. Minnesota – AJ Terrell, CB, Clemson
26. Miami (from HOU) – Josh Jones, OT, Houston
27. Seattle – Grant Delpit, S, LSU
28. Baltimore – Cesar Ruiz, OL, Michigan
29. Tennessee – Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
30. Green Bay – KJ Hamler, WR, Penn State
31. San Francisco – Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
32. Kansas City – AJ Epenesa, DE, Iowa

ROUND TWO

33. Cincinnati – JK Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
34. Indianapolis (from WSH) – Michael Pittman Jr, WR, USC
35. Detroit – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
36. NY Giants – Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
37. LA Chargers – Austin Jackson, OT, USC
38. Carolina – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
39. Miami – Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU
40. Houston (from ARI) – Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin
41. Cleveland – Marlon Davidson, DE, Auburn
42. Jacksonville – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
43. Chicago (from VG) – Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
44. Indianapolis – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU
45. Tampa Bay – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
46. Denver – Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
47. Atlanta – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
48. NY Jets – Levischka Shenault Jr, WR, Colorado
49. Pittsburgh – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
50. Chicago – Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia
51. Dallas – Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin
52. LA Rams – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
53. Philadelphia – Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
54. Buffalo – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
55. Baltimore (from NE) – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
56. Miami (from NO) – Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
57. LA Rams (from HOU) – Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama
58. Minnesota – Netane Muti, OL, Fresno State
59. Seattle – Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma
60. Baltimore – Josh Uche, OLB, Michigan
61. Tennessee – Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M
62. Green Bay – Ben Bredeson, OL, Michigan
63. Kansas City (from SF) – Ashtyn Davis, S, California
64. Seattle (from KC) – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

Kyle Dugger

ROUND THREE

65. Cincinnati – Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU
66. Washington –  Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
67. Detroit – Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
68. NY Jets (from NYG) – Davon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
69. Carolina – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
70. Miami – Tremaybe Anchrum, OL, Clemson
71. LA Chargers – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia
72. Arizona – AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College
73. Jacksonville – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
74. Cleveland – Troy Pride Jr, CB, Notre Dame
75. Indianapolis – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
76. Tampa Bay – Cam Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State
77. Denver – Malik Harrison, ILB, Ohio State
78. Atlanta – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
79. NY Jets – Anfernee Jennings, OLB, Alabama
80. Las Vegas – Jacob Phillips, ILB, LSU
81. Las Vegas (from CHI) – Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama
82. Dallas – Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt
83. Denver (from PIT) – Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri
84. LA Rams – Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
85. Detroit (from PHI) – Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
86. Buffalo – Lloyd Cushenberry III, OL, LSU
87. New England – Leki Fotu, DT, Utah
88. New Orleans – Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
89. Minnesota – Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina
90. Houston – Collin Johnson, WR, Texas
91. Las Vegas (from SEA) – Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU
92. Baltimore – Josh Martellus, S, Michigan
93. Tennessee – Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut
94. Green Bay – Albert Okwuebunam, TE, Missouri
95. Denver (from SF) – Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame
96. Kansas City – Zack Moss, RB, Utah
97. Cleveland (comp from HOU) – Shane Lemieux, OL, Oregon
98. New England (comp) – Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
99. NY Giants (comp) – Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin
100. New England (comp) – Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado
101. Seattle (comp) – Jonathan Greenard, OLB, Florida
102. Pittsburgh (comp) – Walker Little, OT, Stanford
103. Philadelphia (comp) – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon
104. LA Rams (comp) – Robert Hunt, OG, Louisiana-Lafayette
105. Minnesota (comp) – Hunter Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
106. Baltimore (comp) – Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame

ROUND FOUR

107. Cincinnati – Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue
108. Washington – Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
109. Detroit – Van Jefferson, WR, Florida
110. NY Giants – John Simpson, OL, Clemson
111. Houston (from MIA) – Steven Gonzalez, OL, Penn State
112. LA Chargers – Anthony McFarland Jr, RB, Maryland
113. Carolina – KJ Hill, WR, Ohio State
114. Arizona – Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech
115. Cleveland – Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State
116. Jacksonville – Alex Highsmith, OLB, Charlotte
117. Tampa Bay – Lorenzo Neal, DT, Purdue
118. Denver – Shyheim Carter, S, Alabama
119. Atlanta – Bryce Perkins, QB, Virginia
120. NY Jets – Calvin Throckmorton, OL, Oregon
121. Las Vegas – Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State
122. Indianapolis – Trishton Jackson, WR, Syracuse
123. Dallas – Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming
124. Pittsburgh – Jalen Elliott, S, Notre Dame
125. New England (from CHI) – Logan Stenberg, OL, Kentucky
126. LA Rams – Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida
127. Philadelphia – Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan
128. Buffalo – Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State
129. Baltimore (from NE) – Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington
130. New Orleans – Ke’Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
131. Arizona (from HOU) – Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
132. Minnesota – Brandon Jones, S, Texas
133. Seattle – La’Mical Perine, RB, Florida
134. Baltimore – Curtis Weaver, DE, Boise State
135. Pittsburgh (from TEN) – Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty
136. Green Bay – Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah
137. Denver (from SF) – Damien Lewis, OL, LSU
138. Kansas City – Terence Steele, OT, Texas Tech
139. Tampa Bay (comp) – James Lynch, DT, Baylor
140. Jackonville (comp from CHI) – Colton Mckivitz, OT, West Virginia
141. Miami (comp) – Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi
142. Washington (comp) – Darrell Taylor, DE, Tennessee
143. Atlanta (comp from BAL) – Stanford Samuels III, CB, Florida State
144. Seattle (comp) – Coy Cronk, OT, Indiana
145. Philadelphia (comp) – Trevon Hill, DE, Miami
146. Philadelphia (comp) – Jon Runyan, OT, Michigan

ROUND FIVE

147. Cincinnati – Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest
148. Carolina (from WSH) – DJ Wonnum, DE, South Carolina
149. Detroit – Zach Shackelford, OL, Texas
150. NY Giants – Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami
151. LA Chargers – Creed Humphrey, OL, Oklahoma
152. Carolina – Alaric Jackson, OT, Iowa
153. Miami – Alton Robinson, DE, Syracuse
154. Miami (from JAX) – Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn
155. Minnesota (from CLE) – Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa
156. San Francisco (from DEN) – Nick Coe, DE, Auburn
157. Jacksonville (from ATL) – Solomon Kindley, OL, Georgia
158. NY Jets – Akeem Davis-Gaither, OLB, Appalachian State
159. Las Vegas – Krys Barnes, LB, UCLA
160. Indianapolis – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
161. Tampa Bay – Brian Lewerke, QB, Michigan State
162. Seattle (from PIT) – Joe Bachie, LB, Michigan State
163. Chicago – James Morgan, QB, Florida International
164. Dallas – Keith Ismael, OL, San Diego State
165. Jacksonville (from LAR) – Trey Adams, OT, Washington
166. Detroit (from PHI) – Raequan Williams, DT, Michigan State
167. Buffalo – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
168. Philadelphia (from NE) – Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee
169. New Orleans – Kamal Martin, LB, Minnesota
170. Baltimore (from MIN) – Matt Hennessey, OL, Temple
171. Houston – Tanner Muse, S, Clemson
172. New England (from SEA) – Geno Stone, S, Iowa
173. Miami (from BAL) – Hakeem Adenjii, OT, Kansas
174. Tennessee – Blake Haubel, K, Ohio State
175. Green Bay – Willie Gay Jr, LB, Mississippi State
176. San Francisco – AJ Green, CB, Oklahoma State
177. Kansas City – Cameron Brown, OLB, Penn State
178. Denver (comp) – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
179. Dallas (com) – Mykal Walker, LB, Fresno State

ROUND SIX

180. Cincinnati – Nick Harris, OL, Washington
181. Denver (from WSH) – Steven Montez, QB, Colorado
182. Detroit – Khaleke Hudson, OLB, Michigan
183. NY Giants – Lynn Bowden Jr, WR, Kentucky
184. Carolina – JaMycal Hasty, RB, Baylor
185. Miami – Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU
186. LA Chargers – Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA
187. Cleveland (from ARI) – Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
188. Buffalo (from CLE) – David Dowell, S, Michigan State
189. Jacksonville – DeeJay Dallas, RB, Miami
190. Philadelphia (from ATL) – Cole Chewins, OT, Michigan State
191. NY Jets – Quartney Davis, WR, Texas A&M
192. Green Bay (from LV) – Robert Windsor, DT, Penn State
193. Indianapolis – Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia
194. Tampa Bay – Tyler Higbe, OG, Michigan State
195. New England (from DEN) – Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford
195. Chicago – Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
197. Indianapolis (from DAL) – Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
198. Pittsburgh – Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
199. LA Rams – Tommy Kraemer, OL, Notre Dame
200. Chicago (from PHI) – Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech
201. Minnesota (from BUF) – Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA
202. Arizona (from NE) – Jordan Mack, LB, Virginia
203. New Orleans – Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern
204. New England (from HOU) – Michal Ojemudia, CB, Iowa
205. Minnesota – Mika Danna, DE, Michigan
206. Jacksonville (from SEA) – Qaadir Sheppard, DE, Mississippi
207. Buffalo (from BAL) – Gage Cervenka, OL, Clemson
208. Green Bay (from TEN) – Carlos Davis, DT, Nebraska
209. Green Bay – Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
210. San Francisco – Justin Strnad, OLB, Wake Forest
211. NY Jets (from KC) – Erroll Thompson, LB, Mississippi State
212. New England (comp) – Trystan Colon-Castillo, OL, Missouri
213. New England (comp) – Isaiah Coulter, WR, Rhode Island
214. Seattle (comp) – Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern

A month ago I was running a successful business. Jumping out of bed early each morning to see who had emailed, making a nice breakfast. and running out the door. And then it all changed. I went from being a super busy gal to having time on my hands. Wow- talk about a shock. I know there are millions of people out there in the same boat right now. You can look at the glass half full or half empty. Its your choice.

I am trying to embrace my new temporary life. Here are somethings I am doing to keep busy. My new motto is Stay Busy- Stay Sane.

* I still get up early each morning and make myself a nice breakfast and drink a big cup of coffee.

* I set goals for myself everyday. Yes these goals have changed quiet a bit. Instead of spending my days working with clients, I have shifted my tasks. I am embracing what is at my fingertips and what I can do. One of my passions aside from organizing is cooking. I have been cooking up a storm. My next project is bread making.

* Since I have more time on my hands, I have been going for daily walks. This keeps me sane and clears my head. Anyone else notice how fresh and clear the air is right now?

* Tackling some of those little projects at home. We all have little things that we put off. What can you get done now? Do a few things each day.

* And as far as the business goes, I have been able to convert some clients and speaking engagements into virtual mode by using Zoom. I have followed up on all the jobs that I was in the middle of to reschedule them to later dates.

* Stay close to your family and friends. We all need each other more than ever right now. Everyone needs to hear from others and feel connected. I try and contact a few people each day.

* Who needs help right now? I reached out to an older neighbor and asked if he wanted me to do his grocery shopping. I also have had play dates with two friends young children when they needed a break. Its time to give back any way you can.

Remember my motto – “Stay Busy Stay Sane”!! Make each day count. Hopefully we will be back to our lives soon.