Oh No, The Pup Ate the Tissues!

This photo represents the importance of leaving the radio on when we won't be home. Our pup turned three last week and since she's lived with us, anytime we leave the house, the radio and/or television are left on for her. Our Smart TV shuts off after a certain time period, so if we think we'll be gone longer than this time period, the radio is turned on. 

Not often, but sometimes, plans change. Last Friday, we had the opportunity to connect with my cousin. I haven't seen him since I was knee high, and my Dad, it was over twenty years. When opportunities like this are available, we seize the moment and catch up with family and friends. We had so much fun, laughed and visited, and look forward to doing this again in the future. With this being said, since we hadn't planned on being out of the house for a few hours, the television turned off and there was no radio. We learned that our pup likes, and possibly, needs the sound on when she's left home alone. 

In three years, this only happened one other time and it was when we forgot to leave the radio on. Why do I share this lesson learned? Simple, when you are facing a pandemic and tissue supplies are limited, remember to turn the radio on. I'm not playing down the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I have a choice, as do you. We can live in fear and increased stress levels that will impact our future health OR we can find reasons to smile and to laugh.

In the midst of stress, I tent to laugh and crack jokes. This is my coping mechanism. What is yours? We all have a way we "get through" the tough times, mine, for today, lies on the floor in the remnants of a tissue box. If I'm short on tissues in the days or weeks ahead, I'll cry then. For now, I choose to laugh and spread joy.

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What are your coping mechanisms in times of stress?