Local 706 - The Artisan

8 • THE ARTISAN SPRING 2021 your hopes but lower your expectations to save you from stress. 6. Deep down you may feel guilty and frustrated about not doing more to make your family, city, state, nation, or world a better place that guilt and frustration are going to come out in unconstructive ways. Know that you cannot carry all of that weight on your shoulders. You can only do your best. Do not be hard on yourself. There are small ways to start being more genuinely engaged and proactive about the things that REALLY matter. The things we like to talk about, but tend to avoid doing much toward that goal. A simple act of being productive or helpful in any form helps alleviate feelings of stress and being overwhelmed. Doesn't it feel better to help others? So I suggest this: Call a friend who is going through a difficult time, and just chat and be supportive instead of jumping on Instagram. Do an art project with your kids, or grandkids instead of turning on a movie or playing video games or YouTube. Fix up the house! Do that painting job that you have wanted to do! (I did—I painted my stairs!!!) What if we spent just a little less time each day consuming and a little more time creating, doing, living! Do small things that are useful, meaningful and rewarding for you. I suspect both our world around us and our emotional lives will thank us for taking the time to feed our souls and nurture ourselves. We will get through this pandemic. We can always cultivate a habit of gratitude, I think most of us have a lot to be grateful for, remember that. For all of the disasters, violence, chaos, and loss we have had to deal with, we also have a lot of beauty, wonder, and goodness in the world. I see it daily … you should look for it. Surround yourself with encouraging, kind people who can be a valuable support system. Only you will manifest optimistic and hopeful attitudes, know that hope is nurtured naturally and that will serve you well. Helping others has always propelled me to feel better every time I serve others. Do for others and the rewards are endless, it will always come back to you tenfold. KIM M. FERRY Vice President Director of Communications, IATSE The world feels crazy at the moment. Do you agree? I'm not sure at this particular moment while I am writing this ... that the world is truly crazier than any other time in history or is it just the feelings of being overwhelmed, afraid, confused and seeing the changes all around us. All of the awful things going on in the world can make you feel hopeless … and that's OK. Seeing what is happening to friends, family and people in the news that constantly shows us things we may not want to see, or feel, well … it has taken its toll on many Americans, including me. My point, the state of the world is indeed in chaos. You may find your emotions change from chronically irritable to angry to fearful to stressful. If you are not careful, your feel- ings can start to change the way you think, act, and live our lives. Can the news influence our moods, our anger or make us sad? Yes, it can. I find I must be careful to stay connected to friends and family to keep me grounded. My talks with my family calm me, console me and give me the chance to share my feelings with others who really know me. It helps, you should try it. I knew I had to create a "support system" with others. It was vital to my emotional welfare. In a time where a pandemic can lead you on a path of sadness, I suggest reaching out to those you love, care for, and trust to be there when you need them. Don't close yourself off, rather open yourself up. We, as humans, need to stay connected in a disconnected world. Here are a few tips to stay sane in this ever- changing roller coaster pandemic. It helped me. I hope you find it helpful. 1. Make a strategy for managing the influx of information you encounter every day. Don't let it overwhelm you. 2. Try to plan to protect your time, attention and energy—to keep your mood and emotions in balance so you can effec- tively deal with the genuine concerns and difficulties in the world, even when it feels like you have no control. 3. We all need to stay focused on and connected with our values and the things that matter most to us … follow your heart. 4. Don't be constantly distracted and thrown off your game by the latest tweets, celebrities or disturbing news stories. 5. Be intentional about how you consume the news. Maintain BY KIM M. FERRY Vice President, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 I knew I had to create a 'support system' with others. It was vital to my emotional welfare. " " FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

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