The current pandemic and all the ensuing events have launched our entire world into new territory. No one currently alive has experience to deal with what we are all being forced to deal with now, and at the very least, it’s daunting. At the most, quite frightening.
Processing the whole phenomenon will take years, if not decades to disseminate, but at the moment, it feels as if the Universe decided it was time for a Crash Course in Awakening.
Before the Corona virus, most of us were consumed with the busyness of our days – so many commitments and obligations to fulfill; endless to-do lists that seldom got done. Performance reviews, deadlines, quotas, goals, obligations, chores, responsibilities, dreams. We moved at a near frantic pace, not slowing to inhabit, never mind appreciate, the present moment.
Hello, Covid-19. The original quarantine period is almost complete as of this writing, but it seems clear that more restrictions will be needed to slow the transmission of the virus. Many countries and localities have already instituted shelter-in-place laws, some with quite serious penalties for infractions. And just like that, the usual hectic pace of life comes to a grinding, fish-tailing, brake-squealing halt.
The enormous scope of the pandemic almost kept me from writing this newsletter. After all, I am sorting my way through this right along with you. I have no prior experience or wisdom to share, and all the turbulent emotions you’re feeling, I am feeling as well. However, without the luxury of hindsight, we are left to do the best we can. Yet there’s something I know for sure: Within every challenge there are lessons to be learned and blessings to be found. If I am correct and this is a crash course in awakening, or if it can be seen as that, what are our lessons?
- Be present. If we allow our minds to go into the future, we bring more angst and stress to ourselves. This is a graduate level lesson on staying grounded in the Now. If you’ve not meditated before, this is the perfect time to develop a mindfulness practice. I highly recommend the Mindful Movement audios on YouTube. Deepak and Oprah are also offering a meditation series in response to the pandemic. Search around until you find a meditation leader that appeals to you, whose voice you enjoy and message resonates, then use some of quarantine time to meditate each day.
- Slow down. This one has been forced upon us. With so many businesses closing and tighter restrictions about where we can go, we really have no choice. Our busyness has been taken away from us. Let’s release resistance to that and experience what it is like to be, and not always do. Practice eating slowly. Walking slowly. Reading slowly. There truly is no rush right now.
- Be gentle with yourself. As humans we typically have a negative thought reel running in our heads. Sometimes there are critical thoughts of others, but I have found in my years of coaching, that most of the negativity is directed toward ourselves. However long this pandemic will last, it will be infinitely more difficult if we are judgmental and harsh with ourselves. You are living something totally new, and just as you would be kind and patient with a young child learning to brush her teeth, tie a shoe or ride a bike, be kind and gentle with yourself. Be patient. Do not entertain any self-criticism. As I like to say, allow yourself Space and Grace to find your steadiness and peace in these new and challenging times.
May we make the most of this situation. May we learn what we are meant to learn and grow as we are meant to grow. Let’s awaken together.
During the pandemic, I will be hosting a free Mental Health Hangout, Tuesdays at 3:00pm EST. Email or message me if you would like to join and I will send you the link to the zoom meeting.
Also during the pandemic, and at least until the end of April, all life coaching sessions and One Session Wonders are 50% off. Reach out to schedule a call or sign up for a class.
