During the current COVID-19 crisis, many people are paranoid about shaking hands with anyone else.

You may be washing your hands, but what about the other person?

There are no guarantees about their hygiene. Yet, that doesn’t mean we can’t connect in some way with others; and, the worst thing we can do in moments like this is to become rude and impersonal with others.

We need human connection, so what are some alternatives?

1. Smile and nod. It may seem obvious, but just because you don’t want to shake hands doesn’t mean that you can’t acknowledge the other person. (Anyone remember Paul Harvey saying on the radio during the cough and cold season that we should all replace the handshake with a friendly salute?) This would do wonders to prevent colds, flu and the corona-virus from being transmitted person to person.  

2. Use your words. You may not be able to connect physically, but you can still say, “Hey, it’s great to see you!” or “How’s it going?” etc.

3. Compliment their shoes, or say something nice about the other person. It doesn’t have to be a compliment about their shoes, but it’s an easy and good place to start.

4. Send a text. For sure, this isn’t for when you’re actually in front of someone. That would be weird. But, if you find yourself working from or staying at home, are by yourself, or just wondering how someone is…make sure that you reach out to the people you would normally shake hands with or greet on a regular basis as a way of staying connected.

5. Tap feet. It may sound crazy, but perhaps you could tap your left foot and your right foot with the right and left foot of the other person. At the very worst, it will bring a smile. And, your feet are covered in shoes, so there’s no risk.

For sure these are simple ideas; the point here is to make sure that during a time when many people are feeling fearful and concerned, we find a way to continue to connect with others…share a greeting, a smile or laughter, and build one another up.

A lot of people are saying that a crisis brings out the worst in people. Let’s make sure that we find a way to bring out the best in people.

- Excerpted from Darren Poke, Better Life Coaching Blog

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In One of God’s Other Ways© we need to pray for one another—we need each other and we need to keep in contact.

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…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29b NLT

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NASB

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If you have a story that you think might bless others, I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.

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