As we move closer to the official start of summer, some of us may find that we are ready for necessary changes that need to be made, while others are not. Our persistence of purpose may be tested at this time. History teaches us that Pandemics don’t resolve within a short period of time. With this knowledge, our persistence level to continue to move forward needs to be continually assessed and strengthened. This is not a 5K race, nor a 26.2 mile Marathon, but rather more like an Ironman/woman Triathlon. As this level of triathlon requires multi-levels of persistence, the same approach can be helpful during this period of time. Just as the Ironman/woman trains physically, mentally, and spiritually, we too need to persist on multi-levels. While the Ironman/woman Triathlon has a clear finish line, a Pandemic does not. Although not seeing a distinct finish line may make it more difficult to have a persistence of purpose, focusing on the knowledge that we are working to take care of ourselves and others, can offer the motivation that we need to be persistent.
Key Takeaways
This is not a “walk in the park.”
Persistence of purpose needs to be constantly energized.
Allow history to be a teacher to gain further insight.
Best Practices
Routinely checking-in with yourself and with confidants about your physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Establishing/refining a personalized routine to address physical/mental/spiritual well-being.
Incorporating spices such as garlic, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon and cayenne into your diet can help you during times of chronic stress. Visit allspice.com for ways to incorporate these spices into your daily meals.
Things to Limit
Listening to your “negative critic.”
Substituting sugary beverages for water.
Lighting that interferes with the darkness of your bedroom at night. Light can interrupt your sleep and cause fatigue.
Quote of the Week
“You never know what’s around the corner. It could be everything. Or it could be nothing. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, and then one day you look back and you’ve climbed a mountain.”
~ Tom Huddleston
In summary, to help maintain our persistence of purpose, it helps to stay in the moment. Worrying about the future is like rocking in a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere.
Be well,
Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD
The paraDocs
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The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
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