a new reality

Everyday is a new reality (Oxford: real existence; what is real rather than imagined or desired; the aggregate of real things or existences; that which underlies and is the truth of appearances or phenomena)...and it's up to you to decide how to live there.

What is your new reality?

It seems like the "new realities" we are all facing today are unique, and to us they are, but millions of people have drastically changing real existences every moment. This fact does not lesson the impact your reality has on your-SELF. The silver lining can be elusive.

How are you going to deal with it?

First, you must accept it.

If there's one thing you should know (whether you choose to accept it or not), there are many things out of your singular control. You can only adapt. You can be angry, happy, defeated, and you can grow...sometimes painfully, but you also have the power to decide how to use that growth.

Secondly, you must give yourself time to grieve...if it's a loss, and change can be a loss. Allowing time to grieve is important.

What that looks like is different for every single person.

Think about the losses in the world today. There is death, there is illness, there is unemployment, loss of love and acceptance. I hope that your loss is minor, though in the moment it never feels that way. Mine, recently, have been loss of life and loss of my former 'norms'. I have my list of new realities and finding growth in loss is really hard.

Growth is found through the fog and haze that you can't see beyond just now.

But now there are new norms and I no longer exist in that time before my reality changed, and neither do you. No one can tell you how to feel, to diminish your loss by comparison, or to time stamp your progress. Your loss is unique to you.

What is the point of this post? Thirdly...

To encourage you to BE. To FEEL. Take stock of where you are now. Accept that there are new norms and ADAPT...it's one of your greatest assets. Wake up and know that you have THIS day. You have THESE REALITIES and must plan how to move forward...everyone has their own list. Everyone must adapt.

* TALK to a friend/mentor/family - they can provide objectivity

* READ about history/resources/ideas - it will help your perspective

* WRITE brainstorming lists/blogs/personal statements - they can be cathartic and help focus.

I hope your new reality will be full of growth.