How are you doing with all the restrictions of this Covid-19 quarantine?
For many of us, peace and patience are wearing thin. We feel overwhelmed.
For all of us, fear laces through every day and wakes us in the night.
Some of us are good in a crisis, but a crisis has a beginning and an end.
This Covid-19 quarantine situation may stretch on for months, but nobody knows for sure. And that makes it worse.
How do we stay on track day-to-day while it plays out?
I found some answers when I ran across a yellowed newspaper clipping of a piece by Frank Crane.
Immediately I flashed back in memory to when I was a young mother who felt totally overwhelmed by trying to keep up.
Our daily newspaper ran a column titled, "Dr. Crane Says" and I never missed reading it. I appreciated his practical advice and his down-to-earth wisdom.
Every year or so the paper would feature his longer piece, "Just for Today."
It made good sense to me then and it still does now. (Even today it is used in many 12-Step programs worldwide.)
Here it is in the original version:
Just for Today
Here are ten resolutions to make when you awake in the morning.
They are Just for One Day. Think of them not as a life task but as a day’s work.
These things will give you pleasure. Yet they require will power. You don’t need resolutions to do what is easy.
1. Just for Today, I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life-problem at once. I can do some things for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt I had to keep them up for a lifetime.
2. Just for Today, I will be Happy. This assumes that what Abraham Lincoln said is true, that “most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Happiness is from Within; it is not a matter of Externals.
3. Just for Today, I will Adjust myself to what Is, and not try to Adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come, and fit myself to them.
4. Just for Today, I will take care of my Body. I will exercise it, care for it, and nourish it, and not abuse it nor neglect it; so that it will be a perfect machine for my will.
5. Just for Today, I will try to strengthen my mind, I will study. I will learn something useful, I will not be a mental loafer all day. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.
6. Just for Today, I will exercise my Soul. In three ways, to wit:
(a) I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anybody knows of it, it will not count.
(b) I will do at least two things I don’t want to do, as William James suggests just for exercise.
(c) I will not show any one that my feelings are hurt. They may be hurt, but Today I will not show it.
7. Just for Today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress as becomingly as possible, talk low, act courteously, be liberal with flattery, criticize not one bit nor find fault with anything, and not try to regulate nor improve anybody.
8. Just for Today, I will have a Programme. I will write down just what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I’ll have it. It will save me from the two pests Hurry and Indecision.
9. Just for Today, I will have a quiet half hour, all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, some time, I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective to my life.
10. Just for Today, I will be Unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to be Happy, to enjoy what is Beautiful, to love and to believe that those I love love me.
(Copyright, 1921 by Frank Crane)
There you have it, a timeless summation of how to get through these quarantine days--and afterward
One amendment I would make is the one about taking a quiet half hour to think of God because he's not "out there" or "up there." He is with us every minute of every day.
Because of Jesus He is our loving God and we can ask his help any time of the day or night.
If you're anxious and unsettled as you read this, turn your fears over to the Lord and let his peace quiet your heart.
Long ago God spoke to his people through his prophet Elijah. His words are just as true for us today:
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV
My friends, we do not walk this lonesome road alone, even if no other person lives with us. And we can make it through this, leaning on Jesus.
May his peace fill your heart all day, every day,
Lenore
