The Best Thing to Hold Onto in Life Is Each Other

As one day runs into the next, and the current crisis continues, I know your patience is being tested. So each day this month, I’m offering you four gifts: one image, one quote, one idea, and one thing you might want to try. My hope is that this will help, in some small way.

Here’s your 11:11 for today.

ONE IMAGE

ONE QUOTE

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.
_{― Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993) British actress and humanitarian}

ONE IDEA

After weeks of living with shut down, you might find that nerves are a little frayed and tempers a little short.

It could be that you’ve had a little too much togetherness at home, and need some space. Or maybe you’ve had way too much space, and could use some real human contact.

I’ve heard from some that tending to your clients is a little harder, as we work to connect through video the way we would in person. And from friends and colleagues who are particularly empathic, managing their own energy right now is really hard.

I also know that many are in industries where there is no work right now at all, and you’re scared.

All of that is normal, in these anything-but-normal times.

But we are all in this together folks, for real. For what is perhaps the first time in human history, we really are carrying the same burdens and coping with the same fears, all around the planet.

How it impacts one country over another, or one family over another, may vary. But the fear is there no matter who you are or what kind of accent you may have.

And although there are places where tension and conflict are present, as there will always be, there are far more places where love and leadership are in play.

I see neighbors offering to pick up groceries and medicine for those who don’t dare go out. I see governors stepping up to help their states in any way they possibly can.

I see entrepreneurs offering encouragement to their peers who are trying to navigate new ways of running their business and serving their clients. I see friends asking friends how they’re doing, and reaching out when they’re worried.

The way we’re going to make it through this time, is to focus on love, compassion and connection, in every way we can.

And to hold on to each other.

Who do you need to reach out to? Do you have a client who’s really struggling who could use some extra time on a call? Do you have a colleague who looks fine on the surface but who, you know, struggles with depression even on their best day?

Or perhaps, I should ask, do you need someone to hold on to you? Could you use some extra time yourself with someone you love? If so, I hope you find a way to get that. And soon.

ONE THING to TRY

What would happen if you gave yourself permission to stop trying to be on top of everything, stop trying to be the perfect mom, the perfect helper, or the perfect partner?

What if, instead, you simply turned to – or called – the one you love, and said I love you, or I appreciate you or I’m so grateful for you, and I want you to know that.

Or maybe, you let someone know that you, yourself, are struggling – and could use a little extra connection yourself. (And if you need this, I would be SO proud of you for saying it.)

Take a few minutes today to hold on to someone. They need it.

I suspect you do, too. :)

And be well,