Justine Manuel and Justin Young in Kamloops, B.C., shaved off their eyebrows as extra incentive to stay home and avoid socializing.

It started with a meme.

Justin Young and Justine Manuel were sitting at home in Kamloops, B.C., when they saw a meme that said "if you are having a hard time staying home, shave off your eyebrows."

The couplehad already been spending lots of time at home and started working from home on March 20. The eyebrow shaving happened Monday night.

"Justin keeps wanting to go out because he's an extrovert," said Manuel, who is Okanagan from the Upper Nicola Band in B.C.

"So I jokingly said 'If you're going to go out, I'm going to shave your eyebrows off when you're sleeping.'"

Young replied, "OK, let's do it then."

They went to the washroom but couldn't find any shaving cream.

"We decided to go to the grocery store, which we were trying to avoid but we needed other supplies as well," said Young, who is Anishinaabe from Bloodvein First Nation in Manitoba.

"We went to the grocery store and we were joking about making a video. We had no idea what we we're going to do."

They got back home, put their groceries away and "just did it," said Young.

"We just wanted to spread some joy and have some fun. We were actually feeling really down and depressed that day, because of everything that is happening. It's been so overwhelming."

The couple wanted to make a video for othersfeeling the same way and wanted to raise people's spirits.

Before making the video, they took guesses athow many views they would get on Facebook. Manuel guessed they would get 100, while Young guessed 78views.

As of Thursday, the video had 124,000 views with over 8,400 shares.

Friends and family have reached out to them, joking about them becoming famous.

"It's so awesome reading all of the comments on the video about how many people laughed until they peed their pants," said Young.

"Everybody's got such a great laugh out of it. That's total success for us.We feel really awesome that we were able to spread some joy through dark times."

Even though they both shaved their eyebrows off, they haven't completely refrained from staying outside. They have been going for night walks to get exercise.

"We are still a little nervous with our big foreheads. We have fiveheads now," joked Young.

Manuel's advice for people trying to kill time at home?

"Have fun. Think of things you can do. Shave your eyebrows."

Young recommends slowing down, enjoying the family time, and being with the people you love.

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Couple shaves their eyebrows as motivation to stay home during COVID-19 pandemic - CBC.ca

Austin Mayor Steve Adler commended Austinites this week for their work in physical distancing and cutting daily interactions by 50%. New models from UT Austin suggest well need to cut those interactions even more to 90% to keep our health care system from being overloaded.

Adler joined KUTs Jimmy Maas for All Things Considered to talk about getting those interactions down and slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity.

KUT: [Modeling] numbers recommend we cut our daily interactions by 90 percent. How do we reach that number without some sort of enforcement? And what would that enforcement look like?

Austin Mayor Steve Adler: We've successfully gotten to a 50 percent decrease in physical interactions, which has put us in a better place than we would have been. But in order for us to prevent our system from being overloaded, we have to keep going and get to 90 percent. But it's not something we're going to be able to achieve through enforcement. There's not enough people or enough ways to enforce it, really. And it's going to come down to whether or not it's something that our community wants to do. It's going to be a question of just how much as a community - recognizing that that's the collection of individual actions - how motivated we are to save several thousand lives.

KUT: So enforcement, it's more of a social enforcement, if anything?

Adler: Really at this level, it is that kind of social enforcement. It's personal responsibility. It's people going to sleep at night and thinking through the day and counting how many physical interactions they had over the course of the day and trying to drive that number down as low as we can get it. But there are people all over this city doing things all over the city. And it's going to be impossible for us to police it.

We are planning and building contingencies for what we're going to have to do as a city if we can't achieve those levels - in terms of having greater supplies and greater places for people to be, making sure that we can build to a surge in need for hospital beds or equipment. That said, the best and most effective thing we can do and the only thing that can ultimately get us to the place where we just don't lose very many people is if there is an individually based but collective desire to police our own actions.

KUT: On those numbers: we have a relatively low count of cases here in the Austin area. The worry by some is that that number could be artificially low because of testing or the lack thereof. How many tests do we have and how many tests have we been able to complete locally?

Adler: I don't have that number offhand, but I will tell you that I am virtually certain that there is greater spread of the virus than our numbers reflect. We started taking action earlier based on that belief and also the belief that sooner or later it was going to start spreading from person to person because we knew those things would happen as they are now happening.

We started taking actions before people died. And as of today [Friday], we now have our first death. So we're working on the assumption that it is spreading in the community. Its a virus. That's what viruses do. This virus is going to spread as well. The only question is how fast does it spread, and how quickly does it come upon us? And that's what we can control.

KUT: When you and other city leaders made that call to cancel South by Southwest - not just one of the first big cancelations here, but really one of the first mass gathering cancelations I think in the U.S. - you did so because you did not want to have an epicenter here. Now, when you look at New York, New Orleans and other cities that are in the middle of an outbreak that may have pre-dated that decision by a few weeks - are you worried that despite all of this, all of what we're doing, the stay at home orders, the lost jobs, et cetera, that it might not be enough?

Adler: I'm happy we acted when we did and when I made that decision with respect to South By it was quite the outlier. Clearly not the outlier now. But yes, I do have a concern about whether what we're doing - whether it's going to be enough or not. I can only make sure that we do everything that we can do. And that means that we point out to the community the information that would be necessary for it, for our community, to drive the numbers down and to spread out this peak, if that's something that we are motivated to do. But it's also planning for execution of what happens in our city if we are unable to do that and our hospitals don't have the capacity to be able to handle the people that are getting sick.

KUT: Mr. Mayor, anything that we've left off here that you'd like to get out to the public before we say goodbye?

Adler: Well, just a reminder that there's great hope I think and self-empowerment in knowing that at this point where we are right now, because we acted early enough to get to 50 percent decrease in physical interactions, we get to decide what our next six to eight to 12 weeks are going to be like.

And I would urge everybody to stay at home as much as they can; only go out when it's essential or critical. Its OK to go out and exercise and jog. Best to do it yourself or with someone in your family. And we police ourselves and remind our neighbors if they seem to be forgetting, maybe this is something that we can do. We're in this together.

This post was updated March 28 with the addition of the interview transcript.

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Saving 'Several Thousand Lives' Will Come Down To How Motivated Austinites Are, Adler Says - KUT

Cathy Trevino, managing broker of Side, draws inspiration for her career from her personal experience as a first-time homebuyer when she was in her final year of college. The native Houstonian became intrigued with the real estate process right from the start, so much so that she sought the advice of her agent following her purchase. Casting doubts and fears aside, she took a leap of faith and got licensed.

Now, 23 years later, she remains deeply passionate about local real estate and enjoys being fully immersed in the real estate community. She currently serves as a regional vice president and vice chair for the Houston Association of REALTORS, and is a board director for the National Association of REALTORS.

Here, Trevino tells RISMedia what shes learned along the way.

Whats the most important thing youve learned in your career?Cathy Trevino: Be bold in the choices you make, and dont be afraid of doing something out of fear that you might regret it later. Instill confidence in yourself. Gather new experiences and meet new people. You never know where your next move will take you, so its important to put yourself out there.

Its also vital to be kind and treat everyone with the same level of respect. Every single person has value, and you never know what youll learn from them. This has proven to be true with many of my customers who I sold homes to years agoIm selling homes to their children today. Such everlasting relationships arent always easy to cultivate, but they show that kindness and effort go a long way.

How has this motivated you to make a difference?CT: As a female leader, I want to motivate young girls and show them that if you work hard, you can make it to the top, regardless of gender. Id share the same advice with my own four boys: Ensure you have a good work ethic, put your heart into everything you do and always give your absolute best.

The real estate industry is challenging to navigate, and its even harder for women because theyre often looked at differently, but that doesnt mean its an impossible feat. Ive crossed paths with many mothers and wives who are leaders in the community and are able to strike a balance between their careers and personal lives. This is far easier to achieve when women support other women, providing them with the help and encouragement to achieve their goals.

Why is it so important to make a difference in the gender-equality movement?CT: A lot of young girls dont think they have what it takes to achieve their goals or the confidence in themselves to pursue them. This could not be further from the truth. I want to let all the young girls out there know that if I did it, they can, too. When I was younger, I doubted myself a lot and never wouldve imagined that Id be a woman in a leadership position at such an innovative company like Side. Growing up, my family struggled financially, and I just wanted to work hard so I could help my family out. My hard work, determination and positive attitude throughout my career did not go unnoticed, and I worked my way up over the years.

What needs to be done to address the biggest challenges women face in the industry?CT: The biggest challenge women face is a lack of confidence in themselves, which often holds them back from going after the things they want, like applying for positions theyre qualified for. Women must first realize how much theyre capable of and be confident enough to put themselves out there. It may not always be comfortable, but it will definitely be rewarding.

Always volunteer, give back to the community and learn your industrythis is a great way to extend your knowledge, expand your network, grow personally and professionally, and build the confidence you need.

What advice can you provide to women looking to make an impact in real estate?CT: Always support the women around you, because it will go a long way. Step out of your comfort zone and encourage other women to do the same. One of my close friends who I was working with for a long time was recruited by a different firm, and she was terrified to make the jump because she was uncertain of what would lie ahead. Even though I knew that would mean losing a valued colleague, I also knew that it was a great opportunity for her. I told her she had to do what was right for her and her family.

I wouldnt be where I am today if I didnt take chances. Dont not do something because youre scared; you might fall on your face, but youll learn. If you want to make an impact, be encouraging and spread awareness on all the opportunities out there for women to learn from, even if they fail.

Do you know someone who is making strides toward the advancement of women leadership in the real estate industry? Contactldominguez@rismedia.comto learn more about our Women in Real Estate series.

Liz Dominguez is RISMedias senior editor. Email her your real estate news ideas at ldominguez@rismedia.com.

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Women in Real Estate: Instilling Confidence in Yourself and Motivating Others - RisMedia.com

Amid the lockdowns and general clusterf*** state of the world outside, most of us find that now, more than ever, we need a break to indulge our hobbies and distractions. Maybe you've already played your guitar to death and you're looking for other ways to satiate your six-stringed passion?

Whether youre working from home, your school is cancelled, or youre on the frontline and in need of a chance to switch-off, our list is full of fine literary distractions for guitar players, whether you choose to pick up a hard copy, listen to the audiobook or download one to your eReader.

From entertaining six-string history, to motivational manuals and, of course, the essential tomes that deal in drugs, debauchery and deals-gone-bad, youre bound to find something that informs, entertains or inspires you

There are no truly exhaustive histories of the electric guitar, so much of its early history is based on anecdote or flawed documentation, but Play It Loud takes a decent stab at weaving together the complex web of social, technical, racial and musical histories that have spun out of this glorified plank with strings. It spans the artists and the gear and even includes a foreword by Carlos Santana. Buy/download Play It Loud

Recently dramatised to great success via Netflix, the Cres collective autobiography is quite literally warts n all. It is, at points, a disgusting, detailed and definitely-NSFW breakdown of the history, idiotic debauchery and major malfunctions of the group. However, it also stands as a testament to music and Mick Mars' guitar playing as a vehicle out of some fairly heinous situations, some of which were not of their own creation Buy/download The Dirt

If your playing has plateaued and youre looking for something that goes deeper than the next tab or chord chart, Zen Guitar could be your bible. This is a far more holistic approach to guitar tuition than your usual cheat sheets and song collections, offering chapters on concepts like spirit and discipline and analyzing common mental missteps. Philosophy disguised as a guitar manual. Buy/download Zen Guitar

Like all the best autobiographies, Life eschews attempts at balance and considerations of continuing relationships (most notably, with Jagger) in favour of candour, mud-slinging and the kind of writing (courtesy of James Fox) that straps you to the front of the rollercoaster for the duration of the ride. The anecdote about Charlie Watts response to Jagger summoning his drummer at 3am is worth the price of admission alone. Buy/download Life

Saul Hudsons life story was interesting even before he crossed paths with Axl Rose: he grew up in 70s Hollywood with Joni Mitchell as a neighbor, his mum was a costume designer to John Lennon and David Bowie and he had a stint as a sponsored BMX rider. Like The Dirt, it does not skimp on the shocking and salacious stuff, or the rock bottom moments and it also covers a wealth of post-GnR adventures that prove essential reading. Buy/download Slash with Anthony Bozza

Widely hailed as one of the finest critical breakdowns of The Beatles back catalogue, Revolution In The Head runs through the Fab Fours releases in chronological order, piecing back together the cultural fabric they tore to shreds in the process. An ambitious, well-researched and near-academic (yet not dull!) masterwork. But dont take our word for it: Noel Gallagher described it as f**king amazing. Buy/download Revolution In The Head

The Slits guitarist re-wrote the somewhat staid rock bio rule book with the acclaimed Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys. A key figure in the UK punk revolution Albertine and band pushed harder than any of their males peers and were usually received even less favorably by establishment forces. The result here is an inspiring document of an uncompromising, fearless approach to life and music making. Buy/download Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys

If Morrisseys recent antics have left you questioning your love of The Smiths, perhaps Marrs biography will allow you to quench that thirst without lining Stevens pockets in the process. Marrs tales of growing in Manchester and the music, mindset, people and places that shaped his still-innovative approach to the guitar and songwriting are essential reading for any indie kid. Buy/download Set the Boy Free

While Brownstein is best known for both her six-string savvy in Sleater-Kinney and for Portlandia, the sketch show she developed and starred in with Fred Armisen, she is also a brilliant writer (a career that predated the band). Her biography has been hailed for its disarming honesty, wit and poignant reflections on her search for identity and meaning through the music she loves and makes. Buy/download Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl: A Memoir

R. Crumbs 80s music trading card sets Heroes of the Blues, Early Jazz Greats, and Pioneers of Country Music are collected here in a stunning, full-color book. Each icon (not limited to guitar greats, but including the likes of Big Bill Broonzy, Son House, Blind Willie McTell and Skip James) is featured with an R. Crumb portrait and bio. Its widely available on Kindle, but if you can track down a hardcover copy, youll find it comes complete with a CD compilation, handpicked by Crumb. Buy/download R. Crumbs Heroes Of Jazz, Blues and Country

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2018)

Kobo Rakuten Forma e-book...

Kindle Oasis | Now with...

Amazon Kindle Oasis (2019)

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10 biographies, motivational manuals and killer guitar books to read during lockdown - Guitar World

Editors note. This article was written by our dear friend Alex Hollings for and published at Sandboxx. SOFREP old-timers will find another familiar face in the piece.

When it comes to motivation, Navy SEALs have plenty to spare, but we know one guy that could even make some SEALs look lazy.

Earning your place among the U.S. Navys elite SEAL teams, gathering intelligence for your nations security as a CIA officer, or serving as a fire officer for a professional fire department would each be enough to fill most lives, but not for our friend Frumentariushes done all three, and you can call him Fru, for short.

We caught up with Fru recently to talk about motivation, and how young service members can follow in his accomplished footsteps. Of course, Frumentarius isnt his real name, but its not a throw-away pseudonym either. After a career in covert special operations and another in covert intelligence gathering, hes learned the value in keeping his identity at arms reach when it comes to engaging with the public.

Ive known Fru for a few years now, and can personally attest that the guy practices what he preaches. Keeping your body in good working condition through three of the most physically demanding careers out there is nothing to scoff at, but its not his physical fitness that sets Fru apart from the pack; in a lot of ways, its his mindset.

I wanted to know what advice Fru had for young service members just beginning their careers in uniform, and like youd expect from aSEAL, a spy, or a firefighter; he didnt disappoint.

Just enjoy the experience as something youll miss when its over. Always work hard at everything you do so that you become a go-to guy or girl when somebody needs something done.

Dont get too jaded, but cultivate a sardonic sense of humor and learn to laugh at the sometimes-absurd nature of military life and war. Treat your family as your number one priority throughout so that you have a good support system at home. Have fun because it will be over before you know it!

Of course, military service isnt all good days, especially if you want to become a SEAL,Ranger,Green Beret, or any other member of Americas Special Operations units. In order to be successful, youve got to learn how to keep your head in the game and stay motivated. I asked Fru what he does when hes working through exhaustion or high loads of stress.

Those are the times when you need to be the most motivated No one enjoys those times, and a true leader (in the sense of someone worth following or emulating) thrives in those difficult moments.

Embrace the pain and stress and exhaustion and tell yourself those are the moments that make your own life exemplary they are what make it stand out. They are what in many ways will define your service. Youll tell the stories of those hard times for decades afterwards. Make them count and be the hero of your own story.

But evenNavy SEALslike to have a good time, and Fru is quick to point out that, while exhaustion and stress are par for the course, its still probably one of the coolest jobs on the planet.

Most people are aware of the camaraderie, the high-speed equipment/gear, the missions/operations, and all of that. They may not be aware that SEALs get paid to work out every single day, to dive and parachute, and to generally do fun stuff as part of the job. There are some sucky parts too, but for the most part, SEALs are paid to do stuff they love to do.

Eventually, Fru left the SEALs to go to work for the CIA. While these two jobs may complement one another, being a SEAL didnt guarantee him a spot in Americas most secretive intelligence service. Just like earning his SEAL Trident, Frumentarius had to start from scratch and prove he could hang in the very different world (and culture) that is The Agency. As Fru is the first to tell you, even SEALs cant rest on their laurels.

I had an academic background in international affairs that made it an appealing move for me. After getting to the Agency, I then tried to remember that I was in a different culture than the SEALs.

Some things I brought over with me, in terms of attitude and drive, but other things I had to leave behind (most of the military culture). I ultimately made the transition successfully by working as hard as I could to be an effective CIA officer, knowing that my time in the SEALs was not something I could rest on. I had to earn my way at the CIA like everyone else.

I asked Fru what his best tips are for current service members that want to pursue a career in an elite intelligence outfit like the CIA.

Get a degree in a foreign language, economics, chem/bio/nuke, or international affairs/politics. If you can be proficient in a hard language (Chinese, Russian, Arabic, etc), even better.

Just like being in the SEALs, working for the CIA has its benefits. For Fru, some of the coolest parts of serving in that capacity was getting to see the big picture, and playing a role in how it unfolded. Even so, a job with unique benefits also comes with unique challenges.

CIA officers have to be choosy in their chosen targets of collection because CIA officers are supposed to acquire intelligence unobtainable through all other means. Thats the real challenge.

Fru has since left the CIA behind as well, opting to switch to a different sort of service life that allows him to maintain a more regular lifestyle: that of a professional firefighter. Just like his previous gigs, saving lives and putting out fires can be extremely physically taxing. So I wanted to know how Fru had managed to stay so fit, active, and injury-free throughout all of his various roles.

A commitment to self-care physically, mentally, emotionally, health-wise is paramount. You have to commit to eating somewhat healthy, taking care of your body through aerobic exercise, weight training, and stretching, and taking care of your emotional/psychological needs. That means finding something healthy that works as an outlet for you (shooting, slinging weights, running, reading, playing guitar, painting, whatever). You have to keep yourself on an even keel as best as you can because all of those jobs have immense stresses. Theyll occasionally overwhelm you, and you have to just reset yourself and continue to carry on.

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Bulletproof Motivation: Tips from a Navy SEAL, CIA Officer, and Firefighter - SOFREP

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) They hear your cheers Vancouver and are thanking you.

Vancouver Coastal Health workers are showing their gratitude on social media for the round of applause they get each night.

Health care workers wearing goggles and masks are pictured holding signs saying, Hey Vancouver!! We hear your cheers every night at 7 p.m. and we thank you. You keep us motivated + inspired. Thanks for staying home. Love, VGH Emergency Dept.'

Each night at 7 p.m. applause rings out around the city to show support for all the front line workers battling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

And its not just Vancouver, communities around the world have been using the hashtag#clapfordoctorson Twitter and Instagram to spread the word about similar events happening elsewhere. Fraser Health has also been showing their love back to cities like Abbotsford and Chilliwack on Twitter.

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, public health officials have called for as much physical distancing as possible.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar

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You keep us motivated: health care workers thank Vancouver for nightly round of applause - CityNews Vancouver

Fears about coronavirus are gripping the world. Right now, you might feel like getting in your bed and hiding under the covers. Fortunately, there are timely messages out there that can help you get through this and whatever else might be concerning you. Here are words of hope from celebrity pastors and motivational speakers to help you survive another week.

Joel Osteen

In a sermon titled Peaceful on Purpose, Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church, says its important to make sure you stay away from anything that is robbing you of peace. If negative people or the news is making you feel anxious, make a point to distance yourself from that person or limit the amount of news youre consuming.

You have to protect your peace, says Osteen in his message. You werent created to live worried, uptight, on edge. This is the reason many people have health issues. Osteen recommends not trying to figure everything out and worrying to the point of illness.

Tony Robbins

Motivational speaker Tony Robbins advises those who are struggling with an unfortunate situation to focus on the things that are going right in their lives. Although times are scary, if you reframe the situation and instead take stock of whats going well for you, this can calm your nerves and even help you devise a plan to deal with your challenge. Establish the habit of noticing what you do have instead of what you dont have, says Robbins in a video titled A Habit of Positive Thinking.

Noticing whats great about a situation instead of whats not great, continues Robbins. Focusing on solutions instead of problems. Thats what changes your life.

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle, mindfulness expert and author of The Power of Now, says its OK to be afraid, but it can cause problems if you feed the fear. If there is fear, one important thing is to direct your attention to it, you acknowledge that theres fear, says Tolle during a talk he gave on breaking free from fear and anxiety.

Tolle also says after you acknowledge the fear, its helpful to be aware of the thoughts connected to the fear. What are you thinking thats making you feel afraid? What are the thoughts that your mind is producing while youre feeling the fear? Is it possible that some of the thoughts youre thinking frequently produce the fear? says Tolle. Heres what he had to say in his talk about facing fear and taking control of it:

Excessive thought activity often creates scenarios of things going wrong that are not happening now, may never happen, and often probably will never happen. And even if it did happen the actual situation would actually be easier to face than the imaginary situation in your mind because theres nothing you can do, no action you can take to remedy an imaginary situation, except to stop thinking it. But if an actual situation arises, you face it and you give it your attention, and you take the action you need to take.

TD Jakes

During times of crisis, its easy to go over every bad thing that could happen. However, TD Jakes, pastor of The Potters House, warns against thinking yourself to death by worrying and focusing on the problem. In his sermon Do Not Worry, He recommends correcting your focus instead of dwelling on the negative event. This way, youll be able to think clearly and find ways to overcome whatever situation youre facing.

It will be hard to get your work done or engage in self-care if youre worried. According to TD Jakes, your mind is your power, and your power is your mind. Protect your power source so you can be effective on the job and at home.

Read more: T.D. Jakes Book Crushing: What to Do When Your World Falls Apart

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Feeling Anxious About Coronavirus? Words of Hope from Celebrity Pastors and Motivational Speakers - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

All of us, trapped in our homes right now. Photo: Fox Network

As a former comedy agent at UTA and WME, Priyanka Mattoo represented numerous big-name writers and performers before leaving to start a TV production company withJack Black. Now she writes and directs, but she still encounters a tidal wave of comedy hopefuls looking for the advice, information, and pep talks that only a former agent can provide. In show business, they say that its all about who you know. Well, youre in luck, because now you know Priyanka!

So, uh, how am I supposed to even think about something as insignificant as screenwriting while the world seems like its ending? Everyone, everywhere in the world right now

Oh, man. I spent last Thursday in a panic spiral, looking for anyone on the internet to dole out one comforting word, and it did not happen! So Ive been comforting myself, and it seems to be working, so maybe I can pass that comfort along. I havent made this crystal clear to my readers, but this column is a recurring excuse to give myself pep talks. Im glad it helps all of you, and weve built a nice community, but since I started writing it, Ive embarked on a screenwriting career, made a short film, gotten agents, sold a show, and was supposed to pitch another this week, but now, pandemic! Every time Ive felt discouraged or confused about my career in the last few years, answering readers questions gives me the clarity I often need to boost me back up. So thank you for existing, and for reminding me to remind myself that everything is hard, but not impossible. What is a writing career if not a series of existential crises? Technically, youve been preparing for this since you decided to be a creative person.

Now, I admit this situation is easier for me to bear than the average American. I grew up in the Middle East during the Gulf War, my ancestral home was burned down by militants, and my family has collectively experienced four air wars. I wouldnt wish that series of events upon anyone, but it does put me in the unique position of being able to wake up and remind myself that I slept a full night, in a bed, with neither air raid nor gas mask. A lot of the world has all of that to deal with on top of the virus. That said, this is objectively a huge deal. Swaths of the country are losing their financial stability, and many more will become critically ill, especially if everyone keeps mingling about! This is all so bad and hard. And like all hard and bad times in my experience, the only way I know not to implode is to focus, as much as possible, on getting through today, and thinking about tomorrow tomorrow.

My danger-adjacent childhood taught me to accept that everything might end tomorrow. It might! But it probably wont. There is always a chance it might, but I could also just keel over any given Tuesday. So I can choose to spend today rocking back and forth in my bed, wanting to vomit (like last week), or deciding today is going to be at least tolerable, and I might even enjoy a moment or two. Of course, the latter option is easier said than done if youre currently enduring crippling anxiety or depression. If you are, and can muster the wherewithal, please seek out a therapist who can Skype! You dont have to go through this alone. Open Path is a great resource for lower-cost therapy at $30 to $60 a session.

And now what? Who wouldnt want to spend a day or two at home, not seeing anyone, eating a bag of stale cookies and watching subpar TV? It can be fun! But not quite as fun 30 days in a row, when its the law and/or youre homeschooling children while somehow working. And definitely not when so many peoples jobs and lives are disintegrating. As my friend Liz said the other day, The mechanics of this, I can probably deal with. My challenge will be in not getting depressed. The desire to lie in bed and give up is also my constant companion, but thankfully keeping my brain chemicals up has become a hobby of sorts.

Here are some things that have been great for my brain chemicals: daily meditation, a walk or two, doing busywork with my kids, reading funny books, making soup. But nothing is as restorative as my No. 1 mental-health practice in trying times: staying off social media. Sure, I pop in every once in a while to see how everyone is doing, but since I took it off my phone (and disabled Safari!), Im ten times calmer. Its nice to feel connected, yes, but see how the panicked howls of hundreds of millions of users might make you feel more sad and scared right now?

In addition to your chosen combination of mood-lifting practices, might I recommend adding some shape to your day? My husband and I are currently home with a 6-year-old and a toddler, and like all the other homeschooling parents, every morning we take a big piece of craft paper, tape it on the wall, and write up a basic schedule: meals (and what were eating for them), when were taking turns working, the brain activity and physical activity for each morning and afternoon, and a chunk of quiet time in the middle of the day. The toddler naps, I sit still, and the boy does whatever he wants, as long as hes quiet. Its not a perfect system, but it keeps us all going, gives us purpose hour by hour, and leaves less of those thinky cracks where one can fall into thinking the world is over already.

Theres also a crucial game we play in the evening with our son that I think every grown person in the world should, crisis or not: Rose, Bud, and Thorn, in which you highlight the best part of your day (rose), the worst part of your day (thorn), and the thing youre most looking forward to tomorrow (bud). We play it as a family I even play it on our podcast, Foxy Browns but it can also be played over group text, or FaceTime, or Im not certain how TikTok works, but sure! In times like this, it can feel impossible to think of anything positive to say, but its a surprising exercise in amplifying the goodness of small moments. Weve also added a fourth element, Pomegranate, which is what youre feeling most grateful for every evening. Am I brainwashing my children into having perspective and gratitude? Absolutely. And now Im hoping to indoctrinate you, dear, suggestible readers.

You might find, after a few shapely, Twitter-free days capped by Rose, Bud, and Thorn (and Pomegranate!), that youre feeling compelled to get out of bed and do something with all of your ideas and feelings. You dont have to write a script. Maybe its a maudlin song, maybe its just journaling. Maybe you cross-stitch, or paint, or reread the Harry Potter series. Dont worry so much about being productive. Just keep your brain in a good place that takes a lot of energy.

As a parent, there is not a chance in heck Im going to have any time to write more than this column until school is up and running, but I do often come back to this incredible NPR piece with Nora Roberts, who started writing to escape the madness of being stuck in a snowstorm with her children. Let her 198 New York Times best sellers be an inspiration, and if this cycles through like every other crisis Ive experienced, Im guessing well also come back to our normal lives with a renewed sense of purpose and clarity.

So, in the course of keeping yourself alive and your spirits afloat, do you have to write a masterpiece? Or even the garbage draft of one? No! Definitely not, if you dont feel like it. Dont feel any guilt about this at all. Your main goal right now is to stay home, stay healthy, and nourish yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally, one day at a time. Selling your wares, or participating in some kind of invisible content race, is the least of your worries this month. There will be plenty of time to hustle* once we get through this as a society, which we most definitely will if we all just stay home. STAY HOME. xox

*If there isnt a writers strike, but thats a whole other column!

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How Do I Stay Creatively Motivated When the World Is Ending? - Vulture

Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

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On Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers stated they are giving Cam Newton permission to seek a trade. The news made it seem like the desire came from Newtons side, but after the Panthers official Instagram posted about the news, Newton responded accusing them of pushing him out.

Newton made it clear that he loves the Panthers to death and will always love them. He accused the team of trying to manipulate the narrative act like (he) wanted this.

Its clear Newton did not want this trade, which means he will likely have a huge chip on his shoulder to keep him motivated and make Carolina regret getting rid of him.

Newton has struggled in recent years with injuries, and last season he only played two games before sitting out the rest of the season to have foot surgery.

Before the injury trouble, Newton was one of the top passers in the league. He was the MVP in 2015, leading his team to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance. His big arm and ability to move outside of the pocket made him especially difficult to defend.

He might have to reinvent his game to play long term, though. Becoming a smarter passer, knowing when to go down and not take a hit, and knowing the best times to take off and run would help keep Newton healthier.

Newton could learn a lot from how a quarterback like Russell Wilson has transitioned to being a smarter and better passer while still having his athleticism as an option. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are younger examples of quarterbacks who are incredibly talented athletes who can also lean on the pass.

Although those three all have slightly different playing styles, Newton can adapt his style to fit more into a new scheme and under a new coach while also making sure to take care of himself and be the best he can be for his team.

Regardless where he ends up, Newton will be motivated and ready to compete.

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Cam Newton is motivated, and that makes him a quarterback worth having - FanSided

By: Greg Macafee Monday, March 16, 2020 | 3:32 PM

Greg Macafee | Tribune-Review

Plum senior Jared Hoener waits for a pitch during practice on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Greg Macafee | Tribune-Review

Plum sophomore Evan Kircher swings at a ball duing a practice on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Greg Macafee | Tribune-Review

Plum senior Jared Hoener swings at a pitch during practice on March 12, 2020.

Over the past decade and a half, the Plum baseball team has been a mainstay in the WPIAL playoffs.

Up until last season, the Mustangs hadnt missed the playoffs since 2006. But no program, especially in high school, can avoid a down year, and they experienced theirs last season. They went 8-12 and finished fifth in Section 2-6A.

The Mustangs dont expect their playoff hiatus to last long, and they are motivated to make it back to the playoffs this season.

It definitely left a sour taste in everyones mouth, senior pitcher and infielder Logan Schlegel said. Were definitely determined to bounce back and show everybody what Plum baseball is really about. We want to get back to the playoffs because thats what the expectation is here.

Ten seniors graduated, but an accomplished group returns.

Leading the way is pitcher and infielder Jared Hoener. The 6-foot-1 senior pitched 30 2/3 innings last season, recorded a 2.28 ERA, struck out 26 and allowed 10 earned runs.

I feel like hell have a very good year on the mound, Plum coach Carl Vollmer said. He had a very good year for us last year, and he beat some very good teams. I think it was unexpected a little last year and not many people knew who he was.

Hoener came up big in games against Penn-Trafford and Latrobe. Against P-T, the WPIAL Class 6A runner-up, Hoener threw 6 1/3 innings and only allowed one earned run while striking out five and walking three. He also threw a shutout against Latrobe while scattering three hits. He will be one of many pitchers this season, though, as the Mustangs believe they have depth on the mound.

I think we have a lot of guys who can pitch. We have a lot of arms, and we have a lot of guys who can throw strikes. I think thats one of our strengths, Hoener said. We have a couple of guys who can take that lead role. I dont think its going to come down to just one guy. We have a couple of guys that we can rely on.

The Mustangs also have players throughout their lineup who could be on the verge of big seasons at the plate. Brandon Lane hit .315 last spring, and Vollmer said catcher Dan McCaffery can hit to all fields.

I think we have some guys in the lineup that not many people know about, Schlegel said. We have some younger guys in the lineup that can really hit. But just all around, I think we can put up some good numbers.

To get back to the playoffs, the Mustangs will have to make their way through Section 2-6A, which includes P-T, along with Connellsville, Hempfield, Norwin and Latrobe. While it may be tough, Vollmer said it hopefully will get them ready for the postseason.

I think well surprise some people this year, Vollmer said. If we can scratch and claw our way into the playoffs, I think well be a very battle-tested team because our section will prepare us for that.

Greg Macafee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Greg by email at gmacafee@tribweb.com or via Twitter .

Tags: Plum

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Plum baseball motivated to return to playoffs after down year - TribLIVE