Blog

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

Medicine For Your Soul

by Mershon Niesner

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more hopeful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. Luther Burbank, botanist 

Living in southwest Florida, I’m surrounded by flowers year round—I know, I’m a lucky lady. Magnolias are rare, however, because of our soil. Never-the-less, I’m fascinated by their history. 

Magnolias are thought to be the oldest flowering plant on Earth dating back about 145 million years. They appeared just after the ferns and stood among the dinosaurs. Beetles served as their first pollinators since bees wouldn’t show up for about another 15 million years. There are over two hundred species and they come white, pale pink (as shown here), yellow, and deep magenta. 

Affirmation: Flowers are medicine for my soul!

Coaching questions: What is your favorite flower or flowering tree? When was the last time you took time (now is a really good time) to “smell the roses?”

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Photo by Christina DiBernardo on Unsplash

Stay Seated While On the Roller Coaster!

by Mershon Niesner

Stay in your seat in times of trouble. Only the people who jump off the roller coaster get hurt. Paul Harvey, radio broadcaster

Today I wanted to write a blog about something, anything, other than the crisis we are facing around the world. I’m “virus fatigued” yet hungry for the latest news. It feels as though we are on the roller coaster ride of our lives, Paul Harvey’s advice is relevant, and, once again, I’m writing about our shared experience.

We need to stay in our seats (at home), stay calm, virtually reach out to our friends and family for comfort, a good laugh, and remember— “people who jump off the roller coaster get hurt.” 

Affirmation: I will stay in my seat on the roller coaster ride of my life.

Coaching questions: What is helping you stay “seated?” Who can you help stay calm and unafraid? 

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Photo by Dmitry Mashkin on Unsplash

How Are You Handling Isolation?

by Mershon Niesner

If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do. Lucille Ball

People used to ask me how I got so much done. I hadn’t seriously considered the question until now that my new reality of isolation is moving into week two. Without my DAILY schedule of meetings, groups, events, outings, I’m getting less done than I used to. Lucille Ball was right!

While it feels okay right now to be in “gear-down” mode, in the future I want to be sure that I’m using my time well by honoring my gifts, taking good care of myself, taking care of others (remotely), and generally living each day to the fullest as I always have. I’m allowing myself another few days of “down time” then I’m getting serious about my to-do list, limiting my time on social media, and setting new long-term goals.

Affirmation: I will remain true to myself in this new reality.

Coaching questions: Is there anything tripping you up as you gear-down in this new reality? How will you stay true to yourself? What’s the best part of being home-bound? What’s the worst?

Leave me a comment about how you’re doing. I’m thinking about my blogging community worldwide!

 

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What Does the New Normal Look Like For You?

by Mershon Niesner

We sense that ‘normal’ isn’t coming back, that we are being born into a new normal: a new kind of society, a new relationship to the earth, a new experience of being human. Charles Eisenstein, author and speaker

In these unusual times, it’s important to establish a “new normal” for ourselves and our families. Most people thrive on routine. Although it might feel like you’re on vacation for a while, the lack of structure can be detrimental especially for younger people and those who are accustomed to going to an office outside their homes. 

Years ago I taught day-long workshops on How To Work From Home Successfully (I successfully worked from home for almost 20 years). Here are a few tips from that workshop:

 

  • Get up at the usual time (go to bed at the usual time too) 
  • Get dressed (do NOT stay in pajama pants), shave, comb your hair, shower
  • Establish a work routine including coffee break, lunch break
  • If possible, create a work space that is out of the family zone
  • If necessary, educate your family on the fact that you’re working so they can have food on the table.
  • Work your normal hours (8 am-5 pm, five days a week or whatever is normal for you)
  • Resist the temptation of  household chores, social media, text messages, television, or personal emails during your work day.

Affirmation: I will embrace my new normal.

Coaching questions/request: Create a “new normal” routine for yourself. What’s your biggest challenge right now? What’s one step you will take to overcome it?

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Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Unsplash