Supporting and being supported. Connecting and being creative.

Thursday April 30th and day 38 in the UK lockdown. Almost 40 days! Wow..

My theme for today is about supporting others but also accepting and allowing others to support you! We are all human and this time is challenging - for all of us.

Who are you supporting? Who is supporting you? and how?

A plumber

I received great support from a local plumber who was prepared to come into the house and see what was needed. It was all carefully managed and hopefully we have protected everyone.

Zoom training for the local U3A group

I'm learning more about the requirements of people who are not used to technology and especially connecting via video conferencing.

I have been helping the local U3A group leaders get to grips with Zoom and enabling them to feel confident enough to host and run meetings for their members. This is so important to keep vulnerable and lonely people connecting, talking and sharing.

It really has been fun and such a pleasure, to be able to provide something which is so useful to them and so easy for me to share. 

Receiving support is often harder to accept than giving support..

I am so fortunate to have a great support team around me and I wanted to acknowledge some of the amazing people, and there will be others that I have not included and it isn't that they are providing anything less, it is just where my head was today!

In no particular order

• Barbara Lawther - amazing chats and discussions every few days
• Teresa Bowe - being a great adviser and support
• Peter Jonas - for just being there and checking in
• Jo Thackwray - for connecting and sharing and supporting
• Jacci Wright - such a great way to the end the week with a check in

Alongside those that provide support there are people that are inspiring me and keeping me motivated. Again there will be others but for today, these are my shout out

• Stacey Soloman - so light-hearted and cheery
• Russell Brand - inspiring and touching deep topics
• Amy Porterfield - on point and inspirational
• Stu McLaren - so much energy and motivation

Who are you connecting with and receiving support from? 

We all like to help others. It is a gift to those offering help when you are able to receive their offer graciously. It is also necessary for all of us to have support from somewhere.

Please ensure that you have people to talk to...

Please reach out to vulnerable and lonely folk, and just have a conversation, and see that they are ok.

Running a business has proved challenging... no-one ever said it was easy but currently it is really challenging!

Whether you are struggling because your clients can't get to you or if you are swamped because your services/products are desperately needed, life is very different.

My current focus has been around;

• receiving funds for furloughed staff, super positive!
• potential loan options to support the business through the pandemic - the challenges of the CBIL application process and the introduction of a new easier loan option, the BBLS...
• changing accountants and being surprised at the lack of acknowledgement of my letter of cancellation - sad and disappointing
• the feeling of support from my new accountant, the amazing Teresa Bowe at CCF Accountancy, within the first week and despite her team all working from home

Be sure that the people that need your help know that you are ready and able to help!

How different is your life and is it fun?

How creative have you been?

In the kitchen, crafting, in the garden, sorting and tidying?

What weird things have you created?

What unusual things have you attempted?

My list includes:

• making weird meals such as combining cream, mature cheddar and Worcester sauce on steamed vegetables...
• giving the pup a haircut which turned out to be rather short... and then the weather turned and the poor lass needed, and appreciated, a jumper on for her walk and a t-shirt on at night!
• cleaning out the cat food cupboard and attempting to catch a mouse....
• some book themes are percolating in my mind ;)

And the news just continues to be dire!

I have watched more news over the past few weeks than I have done for the last few years but even then I am trying to be very selective.

My worry beads for today

• how will the tv shows and entertainment that support so many of the general population, continue during lockdown, when the pre-recorded episodes are finished?
• how will we ever get back to live theatre shows?
• apparently the virus is mutating and so how will we find a suitable vaccine?
• there is now doubt that those who have recovered from a confirmed case of Covid-19 may not actually test positive for antibodies 
• a friend, who works in a care home, has been confirmed with having the virus
• should we all be wearing masks and gloves in the supermarkets?
• when clients don't show for their sessions, are they ok?

Connect, create, support, accept support

With support and being supportive, we are able to connect and create. Explore and enjoy the process. 

This is happening. We are in lockdown. It is almost 40 days in. The only thing that we have control over.. is our response, our reaction, our focus.

My plans for the future include sharing all the great things that I have been working on and that I know are helping others. My clients are my guide and with support and focus, I know that I will make it through these times.

I also know that you will too! 

As humans we are incredibly resilient. We are being asked to change our ways. To adapt to a quieter, calmer, stronger energy of connection.

Our beautiful planet is changing too.

Enjoy the spring and take time to notice the small changes that together make everything different.

Be inspired. Be supportive. Be accepting of support. Be creative.

with love

Lynda

If you are finding things difficult please reach out and talk to someone. It is tough, any change is difficult.

I, and many other people around you, will do what we can to support you. Please reach out. Ask for help. Talk to others. 

There are a range of options available:

• For those trying to find a routine in working at home
• If you need someone to talk to, let's have a chat
• If you are looking for some inspired reading
• If now is the time to focus on you and what you want in life, we have plenty of time to do that..., then take a look at the various coaching options available 
• Join in the "mycornerintime" hashtag on instagram and twitter, where I am taking a daily picture of a corner of my world and capturing the beauty of the changes
• There will be more things over the next few days so sign up for the latest news about home based retreats, group coaching, mental resilience, stress management, home based working, and just keeping sane.