Contributed by Bob “Oxygen Man” Rawlins, oxygen user and consultant to CAIRE Inc. ~
Who couldn’t wait for 2020 to be over? My hand has been up almost ALL YEAR. 😊
What a crazy time the world has been going through. The challenges have been everywhere not just within our borders.
I don’t want to get into all the historical and political ramifications of this past year at all. But instead, let’s talk about how you may have coped and the encouragement we can take with us into 2021!
My summer vacations were non-existent in 2020. I used to enjoy the warm summer breezes on the Jersey Shore, good East Coast pizza, and the comfort of friends, in person, every year. This was the first year in a very exceptionally long time that I didn’t head east.
In its place were Zoom meetings, phone calls and social media as my only connection vehicles. Strange right?
Then I started to think about people in other places in the world. Some go for years without seeing loved ones. Skype calls to other places is their best contact if they have internet. It’s hard for me to grasp that at times. I am blessed and we are quite lucky to live in the best country in the world.
Traveling to many places as I have over the years and now trying to live every day with a lung disease still makes me feel blessed. Some are saying, “Ok Coach Bob, whatever,” as they read this.
Maybe, but I have seen many more unfortunate places to live with lifestyles that are almost hard to describe. And they are still able to find some happiness in their lives.
Do we need to stop worrying about what we don’t have and be happy with what we do have? Is that a resolve we can embrace in 2021?
Every year many will make resolutions and most resolutions are never really adhered to or achieved really.
Why? Because the goals become unattainable and then forgotten?
What about making a list of good habits you’d like to work into your everyday life?
Exercise as a habit not to attain a goal, just exercise. No routines, maybe it’s a walk, riding a stationary bike, doing yoga, whatever. You could pick something different each day.
What about meditation?
For me it is a habit. I do it each day but at different times, no specific routine … just habit. Like getting dressed or brushing your teeth.
Learning something new every day could be a great habit — part of your New Year routine. Watch the news. Read an article. Talk to someone still working in the world and listen to their challenges and how they are resolving them.
The more we can encourage ourselves to learn, the more resolve we will have as challenges arise.
For example, holiday gatherings. Many of us couldn’t gather together and it was awful. It was so very hard to absorb at times not spending that quality time with loved ones during this special time of year. So how did you resolve?
You learned virtual meetings utilizing Zoom, Google Meet, or whatever vehicle the family was comfortable with.
Think about years ago, we didn’t have this.
I remember as a child one time we couldn’t make it back to Canada to see my family. Our only communication was by phone. No virtual platform, no speaker. We had to get on two phones to make it a conference. It wasn’t the same, but it was necessary to create some “happiness.”
I am learning so much these days just by following CAIRE Inc. on social media. The impact of oxygen therapy for so many people and the important work they are doing all over the world. It is really interesting!
Especially, if you are in a compromised group like I am. Knowing there are so many people and organizations out there that are continuing to try and find ways for us oxygen users to cope is awesome!
Thankful is an understatement.
I am also thankful that 2021 has already seen vaccines are being administered and more manufactured to stave off COVID-19. We are on our way to getting this “monster” under better control.
I’m encouraged by our many great scientists and health leaders working to find a way.
I have resolved to not let things I can’t change get me down and create a deliberate habit of avoiding negativism — only absorbing positive and enriching habits with my family and friends.
This will help me continue to incur the right habits to help me live with my disease and make the most out of it.
Join me friends! Be positive. Be encouraged!
2021 is going to be a great year!
Touch a Heart, Breathe-Easy, Laugh Everyday
#beencouraged
Love you all,
Coach Bob
Bob Rawlins, 61, of Medina, Ohio, is husband to Terese and father to their 16-year-old triplets, a soccer coach, a hospital volunteer, band dad and chaperone, and marketing guru. He uses a FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator and a transportable oxygen concentrator for overnight travel.
If you have been prescribed oxygen therapy, learn more about CAIRE by visiting www.caireinc.com/patients or by calling 1-877-704-0878 to talk to an oxygen advisor.
The contents of this blog post are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician for personalized medical advice. When using any oxygen therapy device please consult the applicable product instructions for use for product indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and detailed safety information.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay