“Being under stress is like being stranded in a body of water. If you panic, it will cause you to flail around so that the water rushes into your lungs and creates further distress. Yet, by calmly collecting yourself and using controlled breathing you remain afloat with ease.”
― Alaric Hutchinson,Living Peace: Essential Teachings for Enriching Life

I know, it is easy and almost a cop-out to tell someone “Don’t Panic”.  For something that this writer doesn’t understand but by telling a person that it seems to heighten their panic.

Along with panic there is a close relative emotion that tags along, frustration.  It is almost unavoidable these days not to feel frustration, not to panic realizing that the rent is due this week.

Now mix in insomnia and you have a disaster looking for a place to happen.  Trying to force yourself to go to sleep in the meanwhile images of all the bills that need to be paid but the bank account tells you that you are overdrawn.

No matter who you speak with you can definitely hear the frustration and panic in their voice.  A neighbor is somewhat like me, not going out in hesitation worrying about covid-19.  

Yet, I need to go grocery shopping this week so that the cupboards do not start looking bare.  At least if I go to the big “W” I can go during the first hour that is reserved for seniors, or those who have compromised immune systems. I won’t decide until the very last minute whether I go or have my best friend do my shopping.

So, I all can do in this time and space is to tell myself “Don’t Panic”!