Forever Susan & 5 strategies for crisis

Did you know that this 'lilliium' is a "Forever Susan" lily as my PlantSnap App calls it? I have to credit my friend, Bob Hill for clueing me into this very useful App. It's cool - you snap a pic and then the App tells you what plant it is and its origin. So, folks this blog post is dedicated to Forever Susan for making her appearance after the thunder/rainstorms yesterday.

Certainly, the cooler weather motivated me to go check out the garden and start to weed. Also, cloud cover stabilizes the light and so really it's the best time to shoot.

The garden gives me so much inspiration and purpose and in times of crisis those two characteristics or motivations are important. Since I have been through multiple crises in the past, I will give advice from my humble opinion of how to deal strategize the upcoming months/ years.

My number one piece of advice - don't focus on what you lost focus on what you have.

Figure out your income stream is my second piece of advice. If you lost your job get over your ego and apply for another. This is where you need to use morals and values. If you have to apply for UI - unemployment insurance get over yourself and do it. I did at the urging of my friend, Mary Ann. So I paid it forward and urged many of my friends to get into the system. The faster you do the better the your chance is to grow your bank account. Maybe, you don't worry about income then get over yourself and go and volunteer. God knows that this country meaning America needs you.

Above are wild strawberries. They are iddy biddy and ever so sweet. I can forage in the garden that is if I get there before the animals.

Next, reassess your bills, rent and debt. In some instances you may renegotiate bills such as internet. Get on the horn or on the internet and read the fine print. For instance, I have

Verizon internet which they promote at $39.99 a month if you use your credit card to lure you in. How these companies scoop the extra $10.00 and charge you $49.99 a month is because they neglect to let you know that that $39.99 price is IF you use your debit card and not just any credit card. So, right there I'm saving $10.00 a month because I didn't check the fine print before. This translates into another bottle of wine, more seeds, and play money. You get the drift. Communicate and renegotiate and think about what you really need in life. This is a prioritization process. Money doesn't buy you love but it sure helps with the bills. Keep it simple stupid.

DON'T WORRY be HAPPY. Really, I can't emphasize this one enough. Fortunately, I am blessed with a pretty decent happiness. I do get down and certainly not going to see my friends, LIVE music, theatre, nor being in a public situation such as a restaurant / bar because of the pandemic has gotten me down. BUT, again you have to find the resilience in yourself and balance. WORRY only leads to depression and we got enough of that by just watching the news and our worldwide governments. Throw in the race, discrimination, economic depression and what a doozie. Let me tell you folks, in America we have just begun with all of these important issues.

I've been worrying for 10 years about life and you know wha...t I am right back to where I began. After going through the Greek depression and losing my job and my lifestyle only to end up where it all began, ie., where I grew up - one starts to realize that maybe life throws curve balls because that is the curve you got to take. The process is always where life is lived. So don't worry and be happy. If you need to move or you are forced to move. You cannot control it. Life has a way of doing it for you.

Don't forget to smell the "Forever Susans" in this case ROSES in another. Life is right outside your door. Even folks with nothing in my experience manage to get through crisis. Some get by with a little help from their friends or angelic souls. Your house as in your body's house needs nourishment as in solid good food, fresh air and exercise. This in turn helps sustain a balance in your immune system creating the good endorphins that supply the body and brain with positive thought. You are what you eat. If you eat out of a box your body is going to show it and so will your mood.

"Know thyself," as the Greek adage says. If you know what you can and cannot take that is a good thing. If you need rest take it. If you need sustenance take it. If you need help ask for it. It's pretty simple. Life is simple. Focus on yourself and take responisibility for your actions and then you can help others. Now, of course there are those in the community that can't focus on themselves through hardship, illness or because they are a down right menace. This is where the problem solvers, those who don't focus on the negative find a solution. These are the leaders in life. They will emerge in you community. And the goddess only knows that our communities need good positive change.

Go forth, keep it simple and don't forget to smell the forever Susans or roses.