When chaos reigns...bring an umbrella

I noticed something about our collective circumstance: chaos. Some say without chaos we can’t know order. Like without darkness we can’t know light. It makes sense on a theoretical level but doesn’t help at all while we’re trying to stay positive in a negative situation.

In these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to calm the chaos.

There are several ways to do this. My favorite is to write a list. A short list, of course, because who wants to be reminded of the mountain of things to do? Everything on this list is achievable today. Right now. And with little effort. I do a thing, I cross it off, I feel good. Get the mail – check! Pet the dog – check! Sing a song – check! Friends have made fun of me for my love of lists but I tell you, it works. Sometimes I even cheat and put something on the list that I already did – just so I can immediately cross it off. And mental lists don’t work. You’ll just shove it to the bottom of the pile, never to be seen again. You have to pick up a pen and write on a piece of paper. Or a post-it. Or your forehead. I won’t judge. Just as long as you pat yourself on the back for every accomplishment, however small. Soon they’ll add up and you’ll be able to reach a major goal; it won’t seem so insurmountable anymore. Because you’ve conquered the chaos and organized your thoughts. Next step, your closet. Kidding. Sort of. But who knows? Maybe you’ll find that umbrella.