Blog

A Great Time To Give!

by Mershon Niesner

Compassion is even more powerful than courage. Sure, with courage you can conquer a world – but only with compassion can you heal and rebuild it. Rasheed Ogunlaru, author

GivingTuesday, the groundbreaking global generosity movement, announced #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving and unity, set to take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19.

If you’re able, consider giving to causes like food pantries, children’s advocacy groups, shelters, or other organizations working to help the people who need it the most right now. 

Affirmation: I will give to https://ourdailybreadfoodpantry.networkforgood.com

(If you wish to see your dollar go far, consider donating to this food pantry on Tuesday when your money will be matched. I know the people who run this not-for-profit and can vouch that they are completely reliable. All money goes to the program run by volunteers.)

Coaching question: If you’re able, how will you respond to GivingTuesdayNow?

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Photo by Wilfried Santer on Unsplash

What Is the Experience of “Staying-Safe-At Home” Teaching You?

by Mershon Niesner

Language has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone. Paul Tillich, philosopher and theologian

Writing in a CLOVID-19 Diary is helping me process my feelings as I record my stay-safe-at-home life experience for posterity. Growing up as an only child with one parent, I learned early how to be alone without being lonely. However, this time of isolation has challenged my coping skills. Honestly—I’m struggling with this new reality. 

In order to gain a more positive perspective, I recently listed what I’m learning. See if anything resonates with you then write your own list.

So far, I’m learning how to: 

* appreciate stillness more

* value my worth by who I am rather than by how much I do

* be more introspective than I’ve been in years

* be more patient

* lean on my faith as it relates to this new life

* appreciate my husband more

* soak in nature more than ever

* make-do with the ingredients I have in my pantry

* make-do with who I am without outside reinforcement or acknowledgement

* recognize, with greater clarity, the great racial, economic, and political divide

* have empathy for the tremendous physical, economic, and emotional suffering without being personally overwhelmed

Affirmation: I can do this.

Coaching questions: So far, what are your takeaways from your stay-at-home experience? How is this experience changing you? 

Stay safe!

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Photo by Leon Liu on Unsplash

Silver Lining For Mother Earth

by Mershon Niesner

The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations. John Paul II

Today is Earth Day 2020 and nature is celebrating. One silver lining in all the physical and economic pain and devastation happening worldwide due to COVID-19 is that nature is thriving. All over the world, minor miracles are taking place during this crisis.

Since fewer motorized vehicles are running and many factories are shut down, air quality is improving. In northeast China, for instance, air pollution levels dropped nearly twenty-five percent. According to NASA, nitrogen dioxide (a fossil fuel pollutant) is down thirty percent. With decreased boat traffic on the canals of Venice, Italy, water clarity has improved. We see photos of wildlife such as deer, birds, fish enjoying the freedom of less human traffic and reduced pollution. Mother Earth is rejoicing even as she sheds tears for those who suffer.

Affirmation: I am a faithful steward of the Earth.

Coaching question: As we return to “normal,” how can we also protect the Earth we love? 

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Photo by The New York Public Library on Unsplash

Be A Priceless Volunteer

by Mershon Niesner

Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless. Sherry Anderson, author

April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week in the USA and Canada. Volunteerism has always been an integral part of society. Today, amid an international crisis, we are seeing a resurgence of volunteerism even as we stay safe at home. 

Here are just a few priceless acts I’ve witnessed recently: It seems that everyone with a sewing machine is making masks, people are calling friends and strangers to check on their well-being, healthcare workers are voluntarily going to areas in crisis, perfect strangers are finding ways to help the young and elderly celebrate milestone birthdays, teachers are going the extra mile for their stay-at-home students, and food is being distributed on a massive scale to the hungry who have lost their incomes. I could go on and on…let’s celebrate volunteers everywhere!

Affirmation: I honor volunteers.

Coaching questions: How have you found meaning in volunteering? What’s something you can do this week to make a difference in the life of another? 

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Photo by Dakota Corbin on Unsplash

Thinking of Anne Frank

by Mershon Niesner

I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains. Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

I’ve been thinking about Anne Frank lately. She was thirteen when she started writing The Diary of a Young Girl while hiding in a small space for two years and thirty-five days. Not only was Anne’s family of four hiding from the Nazis, they were sheltering and sharing food with four others at the risk of their own lives. 

Two months after the Allied landings in Normandy, the police discovered the Franks’ hiding place and all those in hiding were arrested. Anne and her sister Margot survived Auschwitz only to be sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. There the two girls died of typhus shortly before the camp was liberated by the British Army on April 15, 1945. Anne was 15, her sister was 19.

Affirmation: Thinking about other’s circumstances helps me accept mine.

Coaching questions: What’s been the most difficult aspect about sheltering in place for you? What are you learning about yourself and others? 

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Photo by Carolyn V on Unsplash

The Easter People Are Still Rejoicing

by Mershon Niesner

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

For Christians all over the world, this is our BIG day—after all, we are the Easter People. Although celebrations are limited as we watch Easter services from our couch without our extended family, Easter is still the Hallelujah Day when we celebrate our belief that Christ died for us on Friday and rose from the dead on Sunday. Later, thousands witnessed Jesus’ resurrection as He walked the familiar paths prior to His ascension.

I’m celebrating the secular and religious Easter. I’m dressing up (even putting make-up on), joining our church congregation on Facebook live, enjoying a special ham dinner at a table laden with flowers, bunnies, and china. We are the Easter People! 

Affirmation: Nothing can keep me from celebrating Easter!

Coaching questions: If you’re a Christian, how are you celebrating Easter? What’s one good thing you’re experiencing in these unusual times?

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Photo by Joshua Eckstein on Unsplash

Charlie Brown Wisdom

by Mershon Niesner

The smile on my face doesn’t mean my life is perfect. It means I appreciate what I have and what I have been blessed with. I choose to be happy. Charlie Brown via Charles Schultz

When I was in high school, my Aunt Lucy sent me Charles Schultz’s Happiness Is a Warm Puppy, published in 1962. I’ve always loved Charlie Brown and friends. To many of you, happiness is literally a dog or other pet like Snoopy. Of course that faithful, beloved pet doesn’t solve all of your problems or completely ease the apprehension of a pandemic, but I’m sure your pet puts a smile on your face and that’s a big step towards having joy in your life.

Sometimes people assume “smiley people” are either faking it or have a “perfect” life. Sometimes they are faking it, sometimes life is really good, sometimes they are simply choosing to be happy despite their life circumstances.

Affirmation: I choose to be happy.

Coaching question: What do you choose to be? How is that working for you?

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Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

An Exercise In Resiliency

by Mershon Niesner

No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected. Julius Caesar

The Covid-19 pandemic and all that it means for our daily lives is something most of us never expected to experience. If you have a history of handling sudden or drastic change, you may have learned resiliency and, therefore, have the ability to quickly adapt to difficult conditions. If not, you’re learning now.

Jamais Cascio, author and futurist, says, “Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. Sustainability is about survival. The goal of resilience is to thrive.” This crisis is an opportunity to embrace resilience and learn how to thrive in the wake of extreme change. 

Affirmation: I can handle the unexpected.

Coaching questions: How are you handling the unexpected life conditions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic? How is it helping you develop greater resilience for the surprises life will bring in the future?

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Photo by Tore F on Unsplash

It’s OK To Cry

by Mershon Niesner

Think of all the incredible things we didn’t get to hear because someone was scared we would see them cry. Jennifer Palmieri, author of Dear Madam President

In her book, Dear Madam President, Jennifer Palmieri writes an open letter to future women leaders who, in her words, “will run the world.” Palmieri imparts valuable advice to these potential leaders including—show up as women, don’t try to emulate men, be who you are.

In addition to her specific leadership advice, Palmieri writes, “Think of all the times you have heard someone say they passed on sharing something that was particularly moving because they didn’t think they could get it out without crying. That’s a shame.”

In the wake of a worldwide pandemic, tears are being shed by unlikely people in unlikely places—in front of computers as we attend virtual church services, by nurses in the hallways of hospitals, in front of televisions as we try to absorb the drama that is unfolding, during FaceTime calls with our loved ones, following Zoom meetings where people were laid off from work, in our beds as we awake to another day of isolation. It’s okay to let the tears flow—they are healing.

Affirmation: My tears are a special part of me.

Coaching questions: What have you held back because you were afraid of displaying tears? What difference might you make if you showed your emotions? 

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Photo by Tim Doerfler on Unsplash

Hug Hope To Your Chest

by Mershon Niesner

By showing up with hope to help others, I’m guaranteed that hope is present. Then my own hope increases. By creating hope for others, I end up awash in the stuff. Anne Lamott, author

When our world looks bleak and we feel like we’re drowning in fear, grief, pain, or anger sometimes we must rely on hope and faith to get us through. Tightly hugging hope to our chest is a way to stay on top of what is happening in our world. 

Like a life preserver works in the water, hope can keep our heads above the surface as we tread towards the shore. Hope comes from friends, family, faith, or even your pet. 

Affirmation: I’m hopeful.

Coaching questions: How do you remain hopeful in these difficult times?  Where do you find hope and inspiration?

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Photo by Ron Smith on Unsplash