Making A Difference…What Can I Do?

You’re staying home, you’re staying safe, you’re staying healthy. Those are the top three things that everyone is doing today to make a difference handling all that’s happening in the world right now with the coronavirus giving us new challenges.

But what else can we do today to make a change for the better? We should “make a plan” to navigate through the next few weeks to help us and those we know; then act on that plan. Here’s a few points to help you with crafting your own map through the next few weeks and hopefully guide you to know what’s important now, and when we all get out and about again.

Communicate! You are inside with your family right now, but with all the pressures of working at home, schooling the kids and more, are you truly taking time to sit down and have a conversation? What about others outside of your inner circle? Devote some time to text, email, Zoom, IM, Snap, Twitter, Facebook Message…or how about this, an old-fashioned phone call somebody you know. It might just make their day! Try visiting some of these Facebook pages and chime in!

https://www.facebook.com/mgcci.org/ (Morton Grove Chamber)

https://www.facebook.com/Niles-Chamber-of-Commerce-176579002387040/ (Niles Chamber)

https://www.facebook.com/mortongrovehistoricalmuseum/ (Morton Grove History Museum)

https://www.facebook.com/NilesHistoricalCenter/ (Niles Historic Center) or share reviews of the local restaurants you're supporting https://www.facebook.com/groups/227077132009804/

Be Healthy! We’re not moving around as much these days. What was a long commute to work or school is now just a short few steps to another room in your house or apartment. It’s a good time for spring cleaning to keep your heart rate pumping. Stay out of the kitchen and set times for meals. Mental health is important too…talk to someone if you’re feeling anxious or lonely. Some of our park facilities are closed right now but a socially distanced walk outside is OK. Some other services online can be found at https://mortongroveparks.com/ and http://www.niles-parks.org/

Learn Something! What have you always wanted to do? Speak another language, cook meals like Julia Child or Martha Stewart, train your dog or your "fill in the blanks" about a skill or knowledge you would like to have. Let’s face it, you have the time now so take advantage of it. There are many online sources, but our libraries are a good place to start https://www.mgpl.org/ and https://www.nileslibrary.org/

Keep Informed! It’s coming at you all day from so many sources, news about COVID-19. It is important to keep informed about the situation in our world. But don’t fix yourself in front of a screen for "all news, all day". Pick a time (and a reliable source you trust) to get your news. Try to make sure you are getting real news, not opinions. A great source online is your local municipality. Click on https://www.mortongroveil.org/ and https://www.vniles.com/

Support Local Business! There are many small companies out there struggling to keep their doors open and their online sites live right now. They are offering meals, services and a variety of goods. If you can’t use what they offer today, buy a gift card, give them a positive review on social media and provide encouragement that you will be there to support them when life starts getting back to normal. To find a business, click on https://mgcci.org/ and https://www.nileschamber.com/

Problem or Inconvenience? Not being able to get your "favorite brand of anything you like to eat" is an inconvenience, but not being able to get food to feed your family is a problem. Being bored just walking around the block is an inconvenience, being sick in a hospital is a problem. Discerning the difference between these two terms is genuinely one of the most important things you can do that will truly make a difference in your life and in others’ lives too…not just for the next few weeks, but for the future!