As someone living in the first world, I’m not accustomed to having my movements restricted, or my social appearance directed by the use of masks, nor am I accustomed to the sparsity of activities that I so cherished to do around my own city, Toronto. A lover of art in all it’s forms, I find my mind suffers the most at the impossibility of going to a play or a show, at the lack of festivals and generally, the lack of density of people that I simply used to experience around town.
It is an emotional toll beyond the pale.
But not being a lingering pessimist, this type of thought does not last long; so I figured that instead, I would get a little perspective and look at where some of this has been imposed in much more nefarious circumstances. That ought to perk me up!
Well, that right there, folks, is being laid-back. And that is the only attitude that can successfully get you going through challenging times such as these.
Photo courtesy of Dimitri Houtteman
A person that can enjoy the minute and not worry excessively about the past or the future. Because we almost never worry about the present – by the time we do, it’s already gone.
But as all textbook definitions, absolutes are rarely present in real life. Most people have a certain relaxed sense of self that ranks on a gradual scale as opposed to a yes/no scenario. Undoubtedly a healthy amount of “looseness” will get you through life’s stressful moments much easier.
If you consider yourself fairly low on the scale, consider this:

Photo courtesy of Ann Fosa
It is normal to constantly have a crisis on your hand and there are millions out there who have it worst
According to the New York Times, “Of the past 3,400 years, humans have been entirely at peace for 268 of them, or just 8 percent of recorded history.”
But then… the crisis passes – always – and we’re back at it, rebuilding it all.

When you’re in the thick of things, stick to the basics

A creative mind can get over crisis better
True control: design your life the best you can.

The best fun is not the game with the strictest rules!
Stay tuned for the next chapter: how to get a laid-back mindset if you do not have one.

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