How are you coping with our universal global event?
How has your perception of yourself and the world evolved?
How has COVID-19 transformed you?
What is the higher purpose in all of this?
I Am Waking Up
After socially distancing and working full-time from home as a psychology professor (now online), I had never felt more appreciative and grateful for all the simple joys in my life.
In this video created for Windsor Updates I share how our family is thriving instead of merely surviving the COVID-19 crisis.
Including counting our blessings like never before.
Community Resilience
In the next video I share pandemic resilience techniques with our local Windsor Essex community.
An interactive virtual experience hosted by F45 fitness studio owner Samantha Piercell:
A helpful video! Tough question, but well worth considering. The surreal nature of each day can be overwhelming, until we realize we are not alone. I have noticed the significance of simple eye contact – a smile – a nod of the head. Across the distance of a grocery aisle or the other side of the street. It’s as if we are all on the same page and we all now know it. Understanding – at the same time – that we are all potential virus carrying threats. Very odd.
I love this! It’s so odd, surreal, and magical at the same time. We’ve never been so apart physically, as mandated by law – yet we’ve never been so close psychically. A shared UNIVERSAL CRISIS crumbles the walls between us. Heart to Heart. Strength by strength. Together we heal. 🌍💙
Interesting, isn’t it. Part of it may be those with tunnel vision rushing past potential germ carriers who don’t look up. I am doing the same as you are…I so appreciate those spontaneous smiles. 🙂
Andrea, I’m so glad you’re well. I can honestly say that as a back pain sufferer along with the anxiety that comes from the pain; I feel a deep Spiritual awakening for people that don’t know what anxiety is like as it’s a monster with many faces.
Having no real go to job and living as a writer/author, I’m in a state of isolation to a degree everyday for the past 13 years.
I hope and pray with all the past of opioid epidemic; the Healthcare system will become more aware and compassionate to the needs of people such as myself as we struggle daily to make certain are meds kick in so that we can live at our highest authentic self.
Emma, your comments just gave me goosebumps. big time!
My sister Noelle is in a very similar situation to you. And has been isolated since 2009.
Which is why she is now the one STRENGTHENING US
IN THE COVID-19
because Noelle has the skills to cope in incredible uncertainty.
Something I praise her for each day.
I also dedicated this magazine article, blog post, and psychology video to my big sis:
I love that you and your husband are using this to wake up to simple joys and gratitude. Great idea. Thanks Andrea. I too am appreciating the little things and reaching out to friends via phone, text, etc. Take care my friend.
I always love seeing you on my page Brad. But today, I am doubling glad. Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing your positive coping techniques. How blessed they are to have you for a friend. ❤️❤️
So much love for your awakening! Though this was already inherent in you – pre covid 19 – this I see in your writing. Now your gift of compassion is magnified ten times 🌈🌍💞
You know, my life hasn’t changed much from BC (before corona). I was already working primarily from home and I feel as if I’d already begun seeing the world and my life in it a little differently. So, if anything, I’m glad I listened to myself and shifted; otherwise, I probably would’ve been spiraling by now.
I will say that “change is inevitable” has been reinforced in my life and this time around, I get to practice using my new tools, like feeling my feels, instead of repressing emotions.
So wonderful! Thank you for sharing your experiences. Pre & Post CV is so fascinating. How your outer has remained the same — and your inner has risen to match equally.
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE YET THE SPEED OF TIME HAS CHANGED
I love the “practicing my feels” part especially Dr. G! It’s like the world’s slate has been wiped clean. And we refuse to wait another precious moment hiding from our strength, our truth, our destiny. 🌟
This has been a disruption nobody asked for or wanted. An unwanted guest that has moved into each home, each life, and is staying for an indeterminate amount of time.
So it’s asking me how do I deal with an unwanted guest that will be present? I can’t treat this like the enemy–the enemy of our souls is seeking to use this to derail us completely.
You’re absolutely right – we need to be awakened to how to live life differently. To refresh our minds and hearts with what matters, with who matters to us.
I love this thinking at the beginning and end of each day. A chance to anticipate and an opportunity to examine how it worked.
Staying hopeful and thankful each day. Spending time praying and reflecting on my life and life in general. Thank you for this post, Andrea. Stay inspired and keep rising 💛
As you know, isolation is not new to me, so I’m adjusting fine. Interesting to observe how others are responding – some with grace, some struggling, some anxious, some rising to their higher selves. Stay save all!
So true! You get this, you live this, every single day. And now you’re the overseer, the observer, in this universal isolation.
The things we learn about each other under pressure is profound. So much material for your writing VJ, I’m sure! 💭 🖊
My sister Noelle is in a very similar situation to you. She has been living with a chronic illness compounded by a brain injury since 2009. And consequently has been isolated from work & her peers since.
Which is why she is now the one STRENGTHENING our family because she has the skills to cope in incredible uncertainty. An inner fortitude I praise her for each day.
Thank you so much for sharing my post on your blog! The joy I felt is seeing my words reflected back through you, was the most amazing boost to my own resilience and immunity all week long. Thank you for this ^ and for being apart of my blogging community. I am most thankful for you & the domino effects of gratitude. 🌍💙
Everyone needs to find the positives in this situation we find ourselves in.
Whether it be doing creative projects to release our tensions. Or long put off
home projects. I have been writing more, So i am not feeling the pain of being
stuck at home.
Hoping you and everyone you love are out of harms way. Be safe.
So incredible! Caroline Myss, one of my favourite authors, often says “destruction — brings creation”. I love that you’re tapping into this energy. Wishing you & your loved ones well too. Working from home right now, so we feel doubly blessed by safety and security. 💖💖
“I had never felt more appreciative and grateful for all the simple joys in my life.”
Wow! You took the words right out of my mouth.
I have felt and said exactly the same thing in the past weeks. All the simple things I have taken for granted in my life have become distorted or taken away in recent months.
I guess I should feel grateful for this NEW experience. We always grow from new experiences, right? Heaven knows I hope so.
Not much has changed in my world except for those things that I “depended on” to be around people. The gym was the big one. I solved that by now using resistance bands so I do not loose all the benefits I have gained.
I too have become very grateful for what I took for “granted”. I have my back door open and am listening to the calming sound of raindrops. All of Nature, not just us, is resetting. What had begun as a wild growth way too early in my gardens, has virtually come to a stop.
So even the flowers and yes birds are feeling that time has changed. I believe we have stepped onto a new time line and it will take a while for everyone to adjust to it.
I am eliminating all those relationships that brought me down. I refuse to allow their “problems” into my life any longer. I’m talking the “victim”. I also seem to be “seeing” deeper and in fact, my eyes are changing allowing me to see more as an “empath”.
We are at a pivotal point in our history.
Thank goodness the brakes were put on because we as a global society were all headed for a cliff, funning right off of it to our death.
I can feel the tenderness & love your comment Margaret!
Thank you for sharing how much this post hit home for you. For someone like yourself, as a healthcare worker, who experience posttraumatic trauma & compassion fatigue yourself. This pandemic opens you up in an unspeakable way — that can have profound awakening effects. You have been here before Margaret.
This difference is that now: You don’t have to do it alone.
Survivors will learn from all this about themselves and others, but to those that don’t and are suffering right now, well my mind and heartstrings sway back and fore towards them.
For the Beloveds going through the worst case scenario, will leave us I imagine feeling so alone and frightened.
So for that reason I am passionately saying
“PLEASE KEEP TO THE GUIDELINES AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS”.
I wish I could click [Like] more than once, for there’s the truth if ever I saw it.
I’ve learnt a few things so far about some people, in that age is no barrier to being (insert expletives of choice). One man of around late 20’s walked around the shop in his dirty overalls as if no one existed or lines and even jumped the queue, while another man in his 80’s said in a loud voice near me of how he wishes to pull all the face masks off. No, actually I don’t think I learnt from it, it just confirmed my suspicions and shocked me at the time, frightened, made me feel anger, wanting to cry and 100% saddened me. 😞
You are so welcome! Love knowing you felt the “positive PUSH”. Sometimes we need an encouraging voice to remind us of our STRENGTH INSIDE and how ultimately so much of our ADVERSITY leads to our ultimate DESTINY. It’s the “in between” that being in community with fellow bloggers, like you ❤️🙏 makes it all worthwhile.
I have awakened to the fact that we are all connected to each other and depend on each other for everything in our lives. I have also awakened to the fact that nature always finds a way to return to a state of perfect balance. This balance is also within me and I too must learn to keep myself balanced with the harmony of nature.
“I have awakened to the fact that we are all connected to each other and depend on each other for everything in our lives. I have also awakened to the fact that nature always finds a way to return to a state of perfect balance.”
I have felt peace during the Covid19 crisis. I have been praying for cure.
I do miss going out, but I was surfing around on Twitter and found “Sketchbook Revival 2020” So I joined, I got late start but they still excepted me.
The Introduction was about making Junk Journal from Old Book. Carla also offered another class called getmessyart.com so I am participating in this one too. I use to draw but raising daughter, work this got away from it and now that I am retired and indoors decided to do something for myself.
This is what I am choosing to do, reconnect with art.
Always great advice. I do also believe that there good even in adversity. Do believe this too shall pass. This will end and we can return to life. It won’t be the same life.
You are so right. It won’t be the same life. Similar to adversities we have experienced both individually, and universally, in the past. They key is hold onto hope. One blog post at a time.. and one connection with fellow bloggers (grateful for you!).. at a time. ❤️🙏
Oh Andrea, I can so relate to this post, to you and your thoughts about awakening. And I totally understand about walks in the park, with a hand on my heart and saying hello to so many more people. Sometimes the feeling of love and appreciation that I have, and of gratitude, are overwhelming. Yes, I’d say we’re awakening big time and no longer taking so much for granted. Hope you have a peaceful and safe Easter my friend. xx 🙏💙🐣
Do you want to know what I love waking up to! Literally Miriam. Your beautiful posts on Instagram where you sing for all of us. Profound and Peaceful. All at once!
Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect here and IRL. Your reach from Australia to Canada is incredible.
Oh Andrea, you’ve just made my morning. I’ve literally just woken up here, on Easter Sunday, it’s early still, no one is awake and your words are the first I’ve read. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You too have a profound reach. Have a beautiful weekend my lovely friend. xx 🌹❤️
Thriving Under Pressure 
A helpful video! Tough question, but well worth considering. The surreal nature of each day can be overwhelming, until we realize we are not alone. I have noticed the significance of simple eye contact – a smile – a nod of the head. Across the distance of a grocery aisle or the other side of the street. It’s as if we are all on the same page and we all now know it. Understanding – at the same time – that we are all potential virus carrying threats. Very odd.
I love this! It’s so odd, surreal, and magical at the same time. We’ve never been so apart physically, as mandated by law – yet we’ve never been so close psychically. A shared UNIVERSAL CRISIS crumbles the walls between us. Heart to Heart. Strength by strength. Together we heal. 🌍💙
Together we heal…I sure hope so! Thank you.
Here, people are avoiding eye contact more, unfortunately! 😆. I’m making the effort to smile at people, though :).
Good For You Robin!
#BeTheChange 🦋
Yes! That’s exactly the quote I’ve had in my head lately 😄. 💙. Thank you.
Interesting, isn’t it. Part of it may be those with tunnel vision rushing past potential germ carriers who don’t look up. I am doing the same as you are…I so appreciate those spontaneous smiles. 🙂
Andrea, I’m so glad you’re well. I can honestly say that as a back pain sufferer along with the anxiety that comes from the pain; I feel a deep Spiritual awakening for people that don’t know what anxiety is like as it’s a monster with many faces.
Having no real go to job and living as a writer/author, I’m in a state of isolation to a degree everyday for the past 13 years.
I hope and pray with all the past of opioid epidemic; the Healthcare system will become more aware and compassionate to the needs of people such as myself as we struggle daily to make certain are meds kick in so that we can live at our highest authentic self.
Blessings dear, Emma
😁🙏
Emma, your comments just gave me goosebumps. big time!
My sister Noelle is in a very similar situation to you. And has been isolated since 2009.
Which is why she is now the one STRENGTHENING US
IN THE COVID-19
because Noelle has the skills to cope in incredible uncertainty.
Something I praise her for each day.
I also dedicated this magazine article, blog post, and psychology video to my big sis:
https://thedrivemagazine.com/posts/empowering-someone-with-a-brain-injury/
https://drandreadinardo.com/2019/06/20/empowering-conversations
IN SUMMARY
I agree wholeheartedly with you Emma.
This is the beginning of a long overdue GLOBAL spiritual awakening has arrived.
Sending you a double DOSE of healing VIBES your way!
Andrea ❤️❤️
So you now Andrea you can see the gift God gave your sister & I through our ailments. He turns our pain into the ability to heal others. 😘
🙏❤️❤️🙏
I love that you and your husband are using this to wake up to simple joys and gratitude. Great idea. Thanks Andrea. I too am appreciating the little things and reaching out to friends via phone, text, etc. Take care my friend.
I always love seeing you on my page Brad. But today, I am doubling glad. Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing your positive coping techniques. How blessed they are to have you for a friend. ❤️❤️
The feeling is mutual Andrea. Thanks for being part of our wonderful and supportive community. Cyber hugs…
It has awoken awareness and compassion in me and the realisation that man is capable to help a fellow human being in the hour of need 😊
So much love for your awakening! Though this was already inherent in you – pre covid 19 – this I see in your writing. Now your gift of compassion is magnified ten times 🌈🌍💞
Thank you Andrea for your positive feedback. Much appreciated 🙏
You know, my life hasn’t changed much from BC (before corona). I was already working primarily from home and I feel as if I’d already begun seeing the world and my life in it a little differently. So, if anything, I’m glad I listened to myself and shifted; otherwise, I probably would’ve been spiraling by now.
I will say that “change is inevitable” has been reinforced in my life and this time around, I get to practice using my new tools, like feeling my feels, instead of repressing emotions.
So wonderful! Thank you for sharing your experiences. Pre & Post CV is so fascinating. How your outer has remained the same — and your inner has risen to match equally.
CHANGE IS INEVITABLE YET THE SPEED OF TIME HAS CHANGED
I love the “practicing my feels” part especially Dr. G! It’s like the world’s slate has been wiped clean. And we refuse to wait another precious moment hiding from our strength, our truth, our destiny. 🌟
This has been a disruption nobody asked for or wanted. An unwanted guest that has moved into each home, each life, and is staying for an indeterminate amount of time.
So it’s asking me how do I deal with an unwanted guest that will be present? I can’t treat this like the enemy–the enemy of our souls is seeking to use this to derail us completely.
You’re absolutely right – we need to be awakened to how to live life differently. To refresh our minds and hearts with what matters, with who matters to us.
I love this thinking at the beginning and end of each day. A chance to anticipate and an opportunity to examine how it worked.
Thanks for this, my friend.
Thank you for imagining with me Dayle 💞
Simple things on repeat truly save our world.
Deep questions.
Returning to basics.
Hand washing.
Sheltering in Place.
Gratitude.
All the “extras” were an illusion.
A distraction.
Now we’re REawakening to the simple things.
🌈 🌷☀️💗
Staying hopeful and thankful each day. Spending time praying and reflecting on my life and life in general. Thank you for this post, Andrea. Stay inspired and keep rising 💛
I love how you thrive Syl! Today and all days. Your spiritual practices light our way. ☀️💖
Thank you, Andrea! 🌞💖
As you know, isolation is not new to me, so I’m adjusting fine. Interesting to observe how others are responding – some with grace, some struggling, some anxious, some rising to their higher selves. Stay save all!
So true! You get this, you live this, every single day. And now you’re the overseer, the observer, in this universal isolation.
The things we learn about each other under pressure is profound. So much material for your writing VJ, I’m sure! 💭 🖊
My sister Noelle is in a very similar situation to you. She has been living with a chronic illness compounded by a brain injury since 2009. And consequently has been isolated from work & her peers since.
Which is why she is now the one STRENGTHENING our family because she has the skills to cope in incredible uncertainty. An inner fortitude I praise her for each day.
Ah, life’s ironies. Love it. I am the cheerleader for my family too. You’ve got this, I keep reminding them, lol.
🙌🙌🙌
Keep up the the good work, Dr. Dinardo. At this time our world needs folk like you and your husband for encouragement. Blessings
Thank you Sir Peter 🌟
For your blessings & your kind words.
You always know how to make my day!
Thank you for your post and inspiring all of us.
It inspired my most recent post about continuing the cultivation of gratitude.
Thank you so much for sharing my post on your blog! The joy I felt is seeing my words reflected back through you, was the most amazing boost to my own resilience and immunity all week long. Thank you for this ^ and for being apart of my blogging community. I am most thankful for you & the domino effects of gratitude. 🌍💙
You have such a way with words. “Domino effects of gratitude.” YES!
💖💖💖💖
You have such a way with words. “Domino effects of gratitude.” YES! 🙂
Awww thank you for saying that!
Can you feel my smile 💖💖
YES! 🙂
Everyone needs to find the positives in this situation we find ourselves in.
Whether it be doing creative projects to release our tensions. Or long put off
home projects. I have been writing more, So i am not feeling the pain of being
stuck at home.
Hoping you and everyone you love are out of harms way. Be safe.
So incredible! Caroline Myss, one of my favourite authors, often says “destruction — brings creation”. I love that you’re tapping into this energy. Wishing you & your loved ones well too. Working from home right now, so we feel doubly blessed by safety and security. 💖💖
That is a great little phrase. I really like that.
Blogging from hut right now. Staying safe.
Wonderful as always to chat with you.
“I had never felt more appreciative and grateful for all the simple joys in my life.”
Wow! You took the words right out of my mouth.
I have felt and said exactly the same thing in the past weeks. All the simple things I have taken for granted in my life have become distorted or taken away in recent months.
I guess I should feel grateful for this NEW experience. We always grow from new experiences, right? Heaven knows I hope so.
I love that Tony!
“Grateful for this NEW EXPERIENCE”
Growing Exponentially TOGETHER 🌍🍃💚
LOL At my age I don’t find a lot of new experiences. Hopefully, the next ones will be more fun. Stay safe!😄🙂
Not much has changed in my world except for those things that I “depended on” to be around people. The gym was the big one. I solved that by now using resistance bands so I do not loose all the benefits I have gained.
I too have become very grateful for what I took for “granted”. I have my back door open and am listening to the calming sound of raindrops. All of Nature, not just us, is resetting. What had begun as a wild growth way too early in my gardens, has virtually come to a stop.
So even the flowers and yes birds are feeling that time has changed. I believe we have stepped onto a new time line and it will take a while for everyone to adjust to it.
I am eliminating all those relationships that brought me down. I refuse to allow their “problems” into my life any longer. I’m talking the “victim”. I also seem to be “seeing” deeper and in fact, my eyes are changing allowing me to see more as an “empath”.
We are at a pivotal point in our history.
Thank goodness the brakes were put on because we as a global society were all headed for a cliff, funning right off of it to our death.
So so grateful this has happened.
Hi Andrea,
Touching post which brought tears to my eyes & in a way only just realised what it has meant for me in so many ways.
❤️🙏🙂😂😇🌸🌹🌈☘️💚🌻👨🎨😼😎🤗😴✍️👋👁👀👶👩👵🏻🧕🏿🤶🧚♀️💁🏻♀️🙋♂️💏👩👩👧👗⛑🌂👜🙈🙉🙊🐥🐧🐝🦋🐑🐿🕊🌿🌳🌞🌍🌎🌏🔥🌟☔️⛈🍇🌶🍗🍰🥛🍮🧘♀️🚵🏻♀️🎨🎹🎻🎷⏰💊🛁🛌🖼🎉✉️📮🗒📘🖌✂️
Ireland, Gambia, u.s & worldwide.
I can feel the tenderness & love your comment Margaret!
Thank you for sharing how much this post hit home for you. For someone like yourself, as a healthcare worker, who experience posttraumatic trauma & compassion fatigue yourself. This pandemic opens you up in an unspeakable way — that can have profound awakening effects. You have been here before Margaret.
This difference is that now: You don’t have to do it alone.
#inthistogether
❤️🙏🙂😂😇🌸🌹🌈☘️💚
Wow!!!
God bless ❤️🙂☘️
Wonderful stuff Andrea! As a Life Coach I agree.
Thank you for all those positives 🌏💚
My pleasure Alison! Thriving Under Pressure is my specialty. And positive psychology is my vehicle. Grateful to do it along side with you.🌸❤️
Just look at all these comments
People are drawn to the calm, the creativeness, and the energy
Marty! If only you could see my smile ❤️🙏🌹
You are a beacon, your wake is massive
It is not how much we own or the power we wield, it is the kindness we distribute that is permanent
Survivors will learn from all this about themselves and others, but to those that don’t and are suffering right now, well my mind and heartstrings sway back and fore towards them.
For the Beloveds going through the worst case scenario, will leave us I imagine feeling so alone and frightened.
So for that reason I am passionately saying
“PLEASE KEEP TO THE GUIDELINES AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS”.
Amen Over Soil !
Social distancing is everything right now.
#stayhome people 🙏🙂😂
I wish I could click [Like] more than once, for there’s the truth if ever I saw it.
I’ve learnt a few things so far about some people, in that age is no barrier to being (insert expletives of choice). One man of around late 20’s walked around the shop in his dirty overalls as if no one existed or lines and even jumped the queue, while another man in his 80’s said in a loud voice near me of how he wishes to pull all the face masks off. No, actually I don’t think I learnt from it, it just confirmed my suspicions and shocked me at the time, frightened, made me feel anger, wanting to cry and 100% saddened me. 😞
Fantastic! This just turns everything around and instead of us focusing on the bad, I’m now feeling so positive. Thank you!!
You are so welcome! Love knowing you felt the “positive PUSH”. Sometimes we need an encouraging voice to remind us of our STRENGTH INSIDE and how ultimately so much of our ADVERSITY leads to our ultimate DESTINY. It’s the “in between” that being in community with fellow bloggers, like you ❤️🙏 makes it all worthwhile.
Ahhhh that’s lovely! That makes me feel wonderful! Stay safe and enjoy your day today. 💕💕
I have awakened to the fact that we are all connected to each other and depend on each other for everything in our lives. I have also awakened to the fact that nature always finds a way to return to a state of perfect balance. This balance is also within me and I too must learn to keep myself balanced with the harmony of nature.
Amen! to all of this:
“I have awakened to the fact that we are all connected to each other and depend on each other for everything in our lives. I have also awakened to the fact that nature always finds a way to return to a state of perfect balance.”
Grateful to find the balance with you.
#silverlinings
🌈☘️💚
I have felt peace during the Covid19 crisis. I have been praying for cure.
I do miss going out, but I was surfing around on Twitter and found “Sketchbook Revival 2020” So I joined, I got late start but they still excepted me.
The Introduction was about making Junk Journal from Old Book. Carla also offered another class called getmessyart.com so I am participating in this one too. I use to draw but raising daughter, work this got away from it and now that I am retired and indoors decided to do something for myself.
This is what I am choosing to do, reconnect with art.
Thank you for sharing your creativity in adversity!
Strong empowering choices, one sketch at a time.
Always great advice. I do also believe that there good even in adversity. Do believe this too shall pass. This will end and we can return to life. It won’t be the same life.
You are so right. It won’t be the same life. Similar to adversities we have experienced both individually, and universally, in the past. They key is hold onto hope. One blog post at a time.. and one connection with fellow bloggers (grateful for you!).. at a time. ❤️🙏
🥰🤗🤩🙏
Oh Andrea, I can so relate to this post, to you and your thoughts about awakening. And I totally understand about walks in the park, with a hand on my heart and saying hello to so many more people. Sometimes the feeling of love and appreciation that I have, and of gratitude, are overwhelming. Yes, I’d say we’re awakening big time and no longer taking so much for granted. Hope you have a peaceful and safe Easter my friend. xx 🙏💙🐣
Do you want to know what I love waking up to! Literally Miriam. Your beautiful posts on Instagram where you sing for all of us. Profound and Peaceful. All at once!
Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect here and IRL. Your reach from Australia to Canada is incredible.
Enjoy this day with your beautiful family!
Andrea 🌎💙
Oh Andrea, you’ve just made my morning. I’ve literally just woken up here, on Easter Sunday, it’s early still, no one is awake and your words are the first I’ve read. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You too have a profound reach. Have a beautiful weekend my lovely friend. xx 🌹❤️
🥰🥰🥰