It must be the pandemic and other stressors, but life has felt like a roller-coaster lately. We seem to rush into one all-absorbing activity after another and the normal days seem few and far between. As a result, ordinary work, the kind we're meant to do, is suffering. I refer to the church, Open Enrollment for Medicare and family life.

I find myself very stressed out, so much so that lately an enormous fever blister broke out. Grumpy and sharp-tongued and exasperated, at times, are three words that could probably describe me quite well. Ask Jennifer and the kids (and a few unlucky family members).

Honestly, I'm blaming it on the inconveniences of COVID-19 and a few other things I won't mention. Even the side-gig of Medicare's Open Enrollment feels differently and most agents seem to be focused on retaining their current client list and not so much growth this season.

I'm trying harder now to be mindful of my mental/emotional state so that I can be kinder and help others find peace and some sense of center in all the chaos. We seem to be surrounded by so much uncertainty. Conflicting medical advice, conflicting political postures, conflicting news reporting and conflicting interpersonal relations are the daily bread. Fortunately, when I make time for it, my faith and devotional practices bring a tremendous amount of calm, security and goodwill to my heart and I'm able to comfort and support the world around me a little more each day.

Be well, my friends and please avoid the virus. I wouldn't want to lose a single one of you, as I've lost so many acquaintances already.

This week Oklahoma had its worst week of COVID-19 fatalities yet.