It seems most of us these days have joined the Walking Dead or Quite Wounded club and need more than ever to have compassion for each other.

THE WALKING DEAD OR AT LEAST QUITE WOUNDED
It seems these days, and certainly after the Pandemic, the world and its inhabitants have been turned upside down; certainly moi. Ouch!
Much as I “girded my loins” and leaned upon all my inner strength and resources to navigate the pandemic, I did not escape its venom. And while I kept Covid at bay isolating completely for a couple of years finally succumbing to it at a Christmas family dinner, when my own hell began: Covid changed my brain; probably yours too?
Having been a jock all my life, I’ve truly respected and treasured my body, always marveling at the magical things of which it is capable: Eight marathons; eight! What a blessing. And falling in love, passionately, with movement and exercise to this day – at 80. True, I don’t run anymore because my knees are retired and several of my glorious body parts “talk” to me each day with new, emerging changes necessitating more attention, care – and rest!
Humility, for sure! And, gratitude; more and more gratitude each day.
It seems the rest of the world, including my own neighbors and especially my own senior building which is becoming more of a mental hospital/assisted living facility, has fallen prey to Covid’s tentacles – and, sadly, pretty much given up. Most will isolate, neglect hygiene and self care, their dwellings and most sadly, become the Walking Dead for having been extremely wounded. Negativity prevails; hope seems lost.
It takes a great deal of positive energy to offset the slings and arrows of the negativity around us, but it is not impossible to try and try to stay strong and positive, never losing hope.
This is not preaching, but sharing: We all have our own ways of coping (a “sign of intelligence,” a professor once told me) and it’s up to each to seek what works for us. In my case, spirituality and physical movement makes my heart (both spiritual and physical) come alive. I meditate, pray and try like heck to never lose sight of my blessings, focusing on what I have and not what I don’t. I do my best, each day, to smile at everyone within my reach – whether they return it or not. I find that people are shocked at first, but somehow manage to curl their lips. As well, I will try, sincerely, to say something kind both to folks I know or even strangers; it’s good energy.
We are all hurting but we can’t give up. I haven’t given up on you, my dear readers and keep you in my prayers and thoughts each and every day.
Having knocked around for as long as I have, if there’s one thing I have learned is to try to be kind: not easy. Not easy for me, either. I’m getting impatient and grouchy; ornery. Who knew? Me? Never in a million years would I ever think I’d be a Walking Wounded? Yet, now that I am, perhaps I can develop more compassion for those who’ll cross my path today. That is my wish. My very, very, sincere wish.