Elmo’s simple question led to important realization
On Jan. 29, Elmo, the last bastion of goodness and kindness in this world, asked on X,
“How is everybody doing?”
The number of responses was shocking.
Other Muppets responded, even Oscar the Grouch, who offered some kind words, writing, “I’m not great at listening to others share their big feelings, but my worm Slimey is. You should talk with him if you ever need to chat.”
Elmo found out that people are as stressed out as they have ever been, and it did not surprise me at all.
“Wow! Elmo is glad he asked!” Elmo said the next day with a heart emoji, as responses to his question continued to pour in. “Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you. #EmotionalWellBeing.”
President Joe Biden endorsed the Elmo post on X: “I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days. Our friend Elmo is right: We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbor in need, and above all else, ask for help when we need it.”
For many reasons, we live in a very stressful world, and the responses to Elmo show that we need to find a better way of dealing with that stress, so it doesn’t negatively affect our health and well-being.
I found years ago that I like to get up early and have quiet time before anyone else in the house gets up. That allows me to have a tranquil start to my day. When I wake up, I spend a little while lying in bed to try to remember my dreams. Then I spend a short time doing some light meditation / visualization to try to get my day off to a good start.
Once I have gotten up I start the day by reading The Morning Call online, where I write down one word game that I like, then I go to some websites and look at my favorite comic strips. A humorous look at our world is a good way to relax.
I also look at LinkedIn every morning. Being interested in “green” building, building science and the environment, I read what I find interesting and offer my comments where I think they may be helpful.
I have three books of daily meditation that I read and ponder each after reading. I find crossword puzzles and word games relaxing so I download and print four puzzles each morning.
One of the puzzles gets harder as the week goes along and the Sunday one is especially hard. I get a sense of accomplishment if I manage to finish all four.
When my wife gets up, we discuss both of our dreams and we also discuss any issues in our family and amongst our friends to try to make sense of what is going on and how we might help.
At least three days a week, I exercise. I find that the exercise calms me. In warmer weather, walks are another good way to exercise and relax.
Years ago I realized that the last thing I think about every evening is important, so I try to avoid watching the news before going to bed. I find that reading before bed is a great way to get ready to fall asleep, so I usually try to do that.
Recently we have taken to watching design shows in the evening. Each designer has a different perspective and we learn from them. In fact, our ideas of how to finish our basement have recently undergone some changes as a result of watching these shows.
I have a large vegetable garden and find working out there to be very relaxing. I have been growing potatoes for about nine or 10 years and am looking forward to getting the potatoes that were too small to eat planted once it is warm enough. The fresh produce and herbs add a lot to our diet and I know that the food is healthier than what is in the store, and it doesn’t have to travel across the country to get here, it comes from our backyard.
It is time for us all to work at reducing our stress levels to cope with the insanity in the world. Meditation helps, as does exercise, walking and yoga, but each of us must find what works for us while being less judgmental of those around us