I keep posting funny stuff on my Facebook page because I believe now, more than ever, we need some levity. As Jimmy Buffet said, “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.”

By profession, I’m a Funny Motivational Speaker and all of my speaking engagements are cancelled through the end of April, likely through May. This is typically my “busy season.” I had planned to spend any downtime preparing for these presentations, not cancelling flights and worrying about toilet paper. This leaves me with a lot to worry about and I won’t burden you all with that, but I have to say that what stands out more than anything is the unknown.

This is not to say that I don’t take this seriously. I am firmly convinced that what we are doing in Ohio is exactly what we should all be doing. I believe in “flattening the curve.” I’m taking all of the suggestions seriously: social distancing, staying inside. I have to admit that this emphasis on hand washing, while needed, is disturbing. Did people really not wash their hands before this? I’ve gone from washing my hands to “Happy Birthday” twice to the album cut of “Inna Gadda Da Vida.”

We. Just. Don’t. Know.

How long this thing will drag on. What it’s effect on us personally and the economy will be. These are real-life concerns that many of us have. Then there is the getting through the quarantine. It has drastically changed day-to-day life for so many.

I have had my own message severely tested during this time. During good times, it’s easy to say, “Let go of things you can’t control.” “Stay in the moment.” “Take care of your health.” And, while they can ring like empty platitudes, they are more applicable during difficult times. We must endeavor to do all we can to keep our stress at bay. I am limiting my input of news. It’s easy to become obsessed and the result is unnecessary worry. Because we still don’t know what the future will hold. I’m doing all I can to keep up my strength by setting up a makeshift home gym and getting outside when I can (being mindful of staying 6 feet away from others. I DO take this stuff seriously.)

Hang in there guys. This will pass. We may have some difficult times ahead, but the better we take care of ourselves, the more optimistic we can be (while being pragmatic) and the more we look for the opportunities hidden in the adversity, the better we will be.

Now, if you excuse me, I have to go wash my hands. AGAIN.