It’s hard to believe that it’s only been a week since last Monday...it feels like too much has happened for just seven days to hold. But we made it.
It’s been a whirlwind of news, responses, and emotions and I think we’re all still finding ways to stay grounded and connected in the midst of this new reality.
One of my best friends lives in Sacramento, CA. We’ve been doing virtual friendship for years. Our friendship is well practiced for this new reality. We are both grateful for our friendship--always, but especially right now, because it feels like at least one thing in our lives that hasn’t actually changed in the midst of this pandemic. We still talk everyday, throughout the day, and we often watch shows and movies together. (Yes, even with the time difference, we make it work). We send each other funny things on the internet, pictures of our pets, and inspirational quotes too.
We’re really good at that last one, especially when one of us is feeling anxious or overwhelmed. As you might imagine, that has been everyday this week. On Monday she found a quote, which she sent to me, and it was exactly what I needed to hear. We’ve called it our blessing and we reread it everyday. As this time eases on we may not need the comfort of these words everyday, but for right now, they’re exactly the balm we both need.
Perhaps you, too, are overwhelmed with figuring out how to be at home or practicing precautions if you can’t, or the sheer number of new ways to stay connected, or _____________ (fill in the blank). Perhaps these words will help ground you, too.
From Kitty O’ Meara: “And the people stayed home. And they read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”
I offer that in a spirit of taking time to heal. Each of our realities and experience of this time will be different. Some will suffer more uncertainty and anxiety than others. If you can, use this time to reconnect with yourself and the Spirit. If you can, use this time to meet and face the shadows. If you can, allow yourself to simply be. There is no right or wrong way to endure this; just listen. And if we can learn how to listen again, we have a chance at healing and wholeness in the midst of and hopefully long after this time.