NIAGARA, Wis. — A little piece of inspiration hits my inbox every Monday morning in the form of the “Monday Morning Memo.” Written by Roy H. Williams, a marketing guru from Austin, Texas, it often contains inspirational observations along with solid advice to people trying to grow their business. I used to read it for its professional information to help me do my job. Now I read it for its insights into life in general.

Most recently, it talked about the word “content” and the different meanings it had depending upon which syllable received the emphasis. He starts by saying that “the content of your heart is what your heart contains” and then asks the question, “Are you content?” He observes that if we are content — satisfied, happy and at peace — it is because of the content of our hearts — anxiety, envy, fear and anger do not contribute to the kind of content that will instill contentment.

The important question that he poses next is, who determines the content of your heart? And, the important answer to that million-dollar question is, “you.” Each of us chooses what we allow into our hearts. Then he hits the nail even harder on the head when he observes that our success-driven culture considers a person who is content to be somewhat deficient. We are supposed to be driven, never satisfied, always fighting for more, for better, for higher… so that someday we can be… content. The irony of this would be funny if it did not lead to so much unhappiness.

In these days of COVID-19, I believe we are learning a different lesson. We are beginning to understand the true meaning of the word “empathy” and how to practice it. Nearly every aspect of our daily lives has changed as we fight this pandemic. It is easy to become overwhelmed with anxieties and to look inward when the day-to-day challenges of simply living our lives contain such monumental consequences. New hurdles seem to crop up daily. Yet, when we look outside our own lives and truly see the challenges facing others, our own immediate world doesn’t look so difficult. I was brought up to understand that if everyone put their troubles into a big pile on the table for all to see, each of us would decide to take our own problems back.

Personally, this was made crystal clear to me as I was listening to the news recently. I was a little bored and had just complained to my husband that I really missed going out to dinner once in a while and was getting very tired of “being cooped up” at home.

Just then, the reporter said that in California, health officials were drawing boxes on the pavement, leaving six feet between each box, so homeless people could observe social distancing by sleeping far enough apart. Think about that for a moment. Let that picture permeate your brain and your heart. All of a sudden, I was very thankful for the home that I had been complaining about being confined to just moments before. I still get tears in my eyes every time I think about the full meaning of those chalk outlines.

Simply put, empathy is the ability to “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.” In times like these, it is natural to turn inward and to look no further than our own families to be sure our needs are met. Yet, by doing so, we magnify the difficulties of our own lives. Empathy can be cultivated especially in challenging times; we do not have to look too far to find someone who could use a helping hand.

I received an article in my inbox recently from the website verywell mind that discussed the importance of empathy. It turns out that empathy can be learned. As Roy H. Williams would say, we can choose to make empathy part of the content of our hearts. Kendra Cherry offered the following suggestions in her article, “How to Practice Empathy During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

First, stay connected. On the surface, this may seem counter productive in a time when we all need to practice social distancing, self-isolation and quarantine. These practices all encourage us to be apart, be separate, so we tend to turn inward to focus on ourselves and to take care of our immediate families first. Yet, this instinct is the major contributor to our feelings of disconnection and loneliness. Turn your thoughts outward by donating to a charity, writing a supportive note to a friend, or calling a distant family member to catch up. Making that emotional connection will build empathy and decrease your loneliness.

Second, be aware. Think about how you have met the challenges in your own life. Are you working from home? Are your children distance learning? Do you have enough food and appropriate shelter? Now think about how others might answer those same questions depending upon their situation or circumstances. So many people are struggling to find work now that their job has been eliminated by the virus, or they are forced to continue to work in what is now a dangerous job that leaves them exposed. They may be scrambling to find child care or to meet the most basic of needs. This awareness will build empathy by increasing your understanding of, and compassion for, others.

Third, be kind to yourself and others. These are strange and challenging times. We are all finding ourselves in uncharted territory. Cut yourself and others some slack. It is ok if your kids are watching a little too much television or if you are not keeping up with your usual routines. And keep in mind that everyone is experiencing challenges and road blocks to what they had considered normal life.

Fourth, be considerate. Refrain from judging others for what may seem on the surface to be a poor choice or action. Everyone is under stress and strain, and we all react differently to these changes in our lives.

Finally, help out wherever you can. Make a donation to a charity or church. Offer to help elderly neighbors whose safety is endangered during the simple act of grocery shopping. Don’t panic buy as your over buying makes it more difficult for others to get what they need. Donate staples to food pantries. Assemble care packages for healthcare workers, elderly neighbors or those whose jobs have been affected by the current situation. And, while you may not be able to go out to dinner, buy gift certificates from restaurants now to use later — their cash flow is really hurting.

When we look outward — away from ourselves and our own needs and challenges — we soon realize that our personal situation could be so much worse. With that broader vision, we soon see many ways in which we can help ease someone else’s burden. And before long, the content of our hearts will be filled with all that is necessary for a life of true contentment.

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The usual senior living activity calendars and senior center menus will not be published this week in an effort to avoid confusion. Due to the coronavirus and the vulnerability of the elderly population, daily life in our senior living facilities and senior centers has changed dramatically.

All living facilities have closed their doors to public visitation, and the activity calendars have been modified to allow for one-to-one room visits only and individualized activities to keep residents engaged and active as much as possible while remaining within the health and safety guidelines provided by state health experts. Group games are being substituted with individualized activities residents can do in their respective rooms.

Staff are providing supplies as well as “overhead announcement bingo and trivia” games and “hallway games” that can be played in individual rooms or by sitting within individual room doorways. YouTube and DVDs are being utilized to provide religious services. A big dose of gratitude and appreciation goes out to all senior care staff for their creativity, caring and perseverance through a difficult situation.

All senior centers have also been closed to any center-based activity. Until they re-open, no information is being published that talks about activities typically available at these centers. Meals continue to be delivered. Some centers are also preparing meals to be picked up. Menus are printed below for those centers who are either preparing take-out or providing home delivered meals. Questions can be directed to the individual centers at the numbers all listed below.

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Crystal Lake Center – Iron Mountain

906-239-0278

Home delivered meals only. Meal menu for week:

Monday: Chicken cordon bleu casserole, California blend vegetables and biscuit.

Tuesday: Beef stroganoff, noodles and corn.

Wednesday: Fish sticks, tater tots and peas.

Thursday: Spaghetti bake, carrots and dinner roll.

Friday: No meals being offered to home delivered clients.

Any questions regarding the home delivered meal program at the center can be directed to Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Home delivered and/or take-out meal menu for week:

Monday: Beef stroganoff, noodles and broccoli.

Tuesday: Hamburgers, potato wedges and glazed carrots.

Wednesday: Barbecue chicken, corn and potato salad.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Home delivered meals only. Meal menu for week:

Monday: Baked fish, sweet potato fries, baked beans and apple sauce.

Tuesday: Cook’s choice – entrée, vegetables, fruit.

Wednesday: Pasties with gravy, coleslaw, fruited Jell-O and chocolate chip cookies .

Thursday: Chicken broccoli stuffing bake, spinach and orange salad and fruit.

Friday: Hot pork sandwich, mashed potatoes, carrots and pears.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

For meal reservations call 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu. Home delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

For meal reservations call 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu. Home delivered only.

Tipler Town Hall

For meal reservations call 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu. Home delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

For meal reservations call 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu. Home delivered only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Home delivered meals only. Meal menu for week:

Monday: Swedish meatballs, noodles and broccoli.

Tuesday: Biscuits and gravy and peas.

Wednesday: Chef salad and collage cheese.

Thursday: Hot beef sandwich, mashed potatoes and corn.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule, 715-251-1603

Senior center director: Jill Anderson, 715-251- 4154

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

The center will remain closed, however take-out meals will be prepared for pick-up — must call ahead.

Menu for week:

Monday: Roast beef over bread, red potatoes, corn, salad, fruit, juice and dessert.

Tuesday: Italian sausage roll-up, green beans, garlic bread, salad, fruit, juice and dessert.

Wednesday: Stuffed green peppers, carrots and onions, salad, fruit, juice and dessert.

Thursday: Pork chop suey, seasoned rice, stir fry vegetables, salad, fruit, juice and dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273