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what you’re feeling. Both speaking and writing can “metabolize” feelings and help you see what is manageable and what problems can be tackled and resolved.
ARE MY DREAMS, SOMETIMES NIGHTMARES, A SIGN OF A PROBLEM?
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Typically, it helps to think of dreams as a release – and as your “system trying to speak to you.” Write down as much as you can recall about dreams. See if you find messages or meaning. Basically regard the dreams as a release of stressful feelings, as an effort to “process” the day’s events. Disturbing dreams are most problematic when they disrupt sleep or make it hard to return to sleep. Make sure you take plenty of time away from news and tech devices for at least an hour before bedtime … preferable more! And right before lights out, create a positive mindset by writing down five things you feel grateful for.
AM I DRINKING AND EATING TOO MUCH?
It’s entirely possible to over due in both eating and drinking when normal work, social, and family activities are dramatically changed. And if you’re asking yourself this question about amount, the answer is likely yes. Start to monitor your eating and drinking. Keep track of changes in your habits. Eliminate alcohol and unhealthy foods for three days and see how you feel … and again, talk about it.
WHAT WILL LIFE LOOK LIKE IN 6 MONTHS? IN A YEAR?
Most people are asking themselves about their work, relationships, health, and financial well-being – and the multiplicity of things that will likely change in the weeks and months ahead. Any unknown is typically a concern for most people and this unknown is truly unpredictable. Consequently, a good approach is think about what you want. WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU ALREADY MADE?
What changes would you like to make if and when you can? What do you want to ask for (from family, friends, colleagues)? And what would you like to offer to others? What are your bottom-line values? What is consistent? What has changed? What decisions have been side-lined or perhaps become priorities?
KEEP THESE IN THE FOREGROUND FOR REFLECTION. • DO NOT believe all the things you THINK. Our minds typically “distort” facts, and right now it’s easy to think life is “awful, terrible, and I can’t stand it!” Writing the thoughts down helps you see the distortions and, hopefully, regain perspective • Don’t let emotions drive your decision-making, especially when stress is high. Take lots of time to reflect on changes you have in mind. And keep your values in the foreground. • Give up the need and drive to be in CONTROL. Control is an effort to make everyone do what you want, and that causes stress for everyone. Try instead to be IN CHARGE. The difference? Being in charge is being reflective, making choices, and checking and negotiating your wants, desires, and preferences with others. If you can let go of efforts to be in control, your anxiety and depression will loosen … perhaps gradually, but it does work … especially in such uncertain times.
Finally, if you don’t already do these things, consider them: • Create a daily schedule and stick to it. • Organize family meetings where everyone has a chance to talk about what they feel and need. • Embrace meditation, exercise, healthy eating … and gratitude.
Please feel free to email me with concerns, questions, or for information on resources – drlinalmoore@gmail.com, or access my website Drlindalmoore.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Linda Moore has been in practice in the Kansas City area for over 25 years and is a published author on personal and family issues.
THE ONLY HOME THAT MATTERS IS YOURS. JODIE BRETHOUR
Jodie Brethour
Buyer’s Agent, Listing Agent, Experienced Professional, Fearless Negotiator, ReeceNichols President’s Circle Award Winner
I was born and raised in the Midwest and have lived in the Kansas City area since 1991, which allows me to know the area extremely well. I have been helping clients sell or find their perfect home since I began in real estate in March of 2004. My background in sales and customer service helped create a successful formula for buying and selling real estate. By creating strong interpersonal relationships, I enjoy long-lasting personal bonds with my clients. I fight hard for the people I work for and am committed to catering to their individual needs. I want to make your home selling or homebuying experience a smooth, enjoyable process. I am hardworking, determined, energetic and straightforward. I believe a direct approach is the only way to conduct business. Whether you’re buying your first home or your last, I can help. I will listen to your needs and offer advice, and together, we will create a plan to effectively and efficiently accomplish your goals and objectives. I am an experienced professional who devotes unlimited resources and time to make sure my clients are happy. I am easily accessible and available day or night. Because no two clients are the same, I provide personal attention to their individual needs. My knowledge of the area and the marketplace as well as outstanding customer service have given my clients the trust to refer their family and friends. I work relentlessly to get the most for my clients. Together, we 2016 winner Jodie Brethour OVER 14 YEARS REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE REECE AND NICHOLS PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE AWARD 2017 t tOVER 16 YEARS REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE REECE AND NICHOLS PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE AWARD 2019 t t can develop a plan to suit your specific real estate needs. I am a firm negotiator who will not be intimidated. I want what you want! My passion for this city and for this market is unparalleled. Kansas City offers many attractive and unique areas to live. For that reason, I buy and sell homes all over the metro area to ensure that my clients find a neighborhood that is best for them. I love the area and am proud to call Kansas City my home. 11601 Granada | Leawood, KS 66211 Once you work with me, you will see firsthand the dedication I Phone: 913-908-3922 provide to my clients and proof that you have made a lifelong real estate connection. Contact me, and you will experience an JODIEBRETHOUR.REECENICHOLS.COM agent who puts your needs first.
Serving the Service Industry
Clark Grant, formerly the executive chef at Plate in Brookside, was laid off the week of St. Patrick’s Day. And he was far from the only one.
As COVID-19 precautions and shelter-in-place requirements shut down businesses throughout the country, hospitality workers were hit especially hard. With restaurants and bars unable to safely open to the public, some forged ahead with carryout options and significantly reduced staffs, while others closed their doors completely – some forever.
Grant saw what was happening around him and took note, co-founding the KC Hospitality Support Initiative, one of numerous organizations that emerged in the wake of COVID-19 to support local hospitality workers. His organization sells T-shirts to fund grocery store gift cards for the unemployed or underemployed in the industry. Gift cards are randomly awarded to those who have applied through the organization’s website.
The initiative launched in late March, and as of mid-May, it’s raised more than $11,000 and provided gift cards to more than 450 applicants, but “we’re having more people apply than we have funds,” Grant says. He intends to keep the fundraiser up and running as long as it’s needed, providing some much-needed hope in addition to money for groceries.
Like Grant, photographer Anna Petrow wanted to help the local culinary community during this challenging time.
“Restaurants often have thin margins as is, so operating at a lower capacity than normal is really devastating for a lot of these local restaurant owners,” Petrow says. “They’re doing their best to do takeout and a lot of them started their own GoFundMe pages. I wanted to create a more centralized effort to give Kansas Citians a way to support the restaurants that they love and a way to support in particular the hospitality workers that are either experiencing layoffs, reduced hours, or just reduced tips from a lower volume of business.”
A friend of hers in Chicago found success selling T-shirts and partnering with local restaurants to distribute funds, so Petrow decided to bring the concept to KC. With help from Danielle Lehman, host of the food-centric Open Belly podcast, Made in KC co-owner and entrepreneur Tyler Enders and graphic artist Frank Norton, KC Runs on Hospitality was born.
Shirts feature a design donated by Norton, and proceeds benefit
partner restaurants. Any restaurant can apply online: The only requirements are that they’re local and willing to help promote the shirts. The project also partnered with Kanbe’s Markets, a Kansas City-based nonprofit that provides access to fresh, healthy foods in food deserts, which is facilitating fund distribution.
As of mid-May, the KC Runs on Hospitality Project raised more than $40,000. In addition to raising money through T-shirt sales, the project has a digital “tip jar” where people can make donations and corporate partners have further bolstered their efforts. Online food ordering company ChowNow covered the cost of printing the first 1,000 shirts, and Tito’s Vodka is matching up to $8,000 in tip jar donations.
Although the future of the industry is hazy for now, Petrow also sees the shirts taking on a life after the crisis.
“I think one of the more exciting things about the idea was the thought of seeing people out and about in these T-shirts as restrictions start to lift,” she says. “Hopefully, someday, when we’ve all resumed life as normal, it’ll be a really powerful gesture to all of the restaurants seeing their customers walking around in these shirts and just remembering how they supported them during these times.”
OTHER WAYS TO GIVE
Kansas City wasted no time responding to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on the community. Learn about a few other organizations working to make a difference.
CROSSROADS COMMUNITY KITCHEN Just as the pandemic hit KC, Chef Howard Hanna and his team at the Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange launched Crossroads Community Kitchen, a donation-based meal pick-up and delivery service providing community members with delicious and nutritious meals, regardless of their financial status. Help support the effort at gofundme.com/f/crossroads-community-kitchen.
CHEF COLLECTIVE KC Chef Collective KC is a network of chefs, food industry partners, and a community of growers coming together to employ restaurant teams to feed the food-insecure in the Kansas City community. Food is sourced from the network and brought to the centralized receiving, processing, and distribution partner, Kanbe’s Market, and then sent to participating kitchens, prepared into meals, and sent to distribution locations within the community. Learn more at chefcollectivekc.com.
OPERATION BBQ RELIEF Operation BBQ Relief has long served meals in communities around the country affected by disasters. It’s now shifted its attention to COVID-19 with the Operation Restaurant Relief program, which revives closed restaurants by utilizing their kitchens to provide free meals to those in need and those on the front lines. As part of the effort, the restaurants rehire laid off workers to comply with the program and receive a stipend for their participation from Operation BBQ Relief. So far, more than 100,000 meals have been served in KC alone. Get the details at www.OBR.org.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kelsey Cipolla is a local writer, editor, and social media specialist. Kelsey has covered everything from the Kansas City culinary scene to home design, health, fitness trends, hidden gems, and nonprofit in the Kansas City community.
