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Good morning! I hope you are well? How are things going in your neck of the woods? Are you self isolating? Or are you in lockdown?
Here the churches, gyms, rec centers, libraries and many other things are closed. My yoga studio is recording videos and posting them online. but most restaurants and bars are still open here and on sunday they were packed. Neighbors and friends have their kids home for no less than 2 week but it could be up to 6 weeks. Everyone is a little on edge, stressed and trying to figure things out.
At the same time I am incredulous to see the beaches in Florida packed to the gills and college kids on Spring break. Don’t we all have access to the same news? Did they not get the memo that the world is suffering a pandemic?
It feels strange to wake up and know that every day will be different, more people infected, and more changes to our lives, nothing earth shattering or that we cannot handle but still a different world and a little less control over it. While I am self isolating and am lucky enough to work from home so many are not and there are so many small business and people that are cannot afford not to go to work or to shut down.
Yesterday we had our garage door fixed by a one man, small business, this is his livelihood and supports his family. We stood 6 feet apart as he told me how many more customers had cancelled. My yoga studio is the dream of my yogi and frankly closing even for 2 weeks is going to be a tremendous hardship. We are uncharted territory that is for sure.
It seems like there is a lot hinging on the fact that things will change in 2 weeks. I like many am praying that a lot will change, and I hope that it is for the better.
I’ve already seen signs of change. Today on my hour walk I saw more kids outside walking, roller skating, running, biking and laughing than I have seen in the 12 years I have lived here. I saw old people, young people, couples and families enjoying a walk, a book while sitting in the sun, playing on their swings.
For some the changes are an unbearable inconvenience, and for others the inconvenience is an opportunity for change. I think it is an opportunity to slow down, get outside and move, enjoy a walk, a bike ride, take in the signs of Spring, work in your garden, plant some seeds. Or maybe work on some house projects in your down time, paint, spring clean, organize, practice self care, read, take an online class. There are many free classes from universities around the world but there are also creatives who are sharing their skills and classes to keep us busy.
At the end of the day, the world is a lot smaller these days, and we are all in this together. Stay safe, self isolate if you can, and if you can help your elderly neighbors, or friends and family that may be overwhelmed, reach out to them as well. You could bake a treat, or a meal and leave it on their porch. Gather a pile of magazines and books and leave them for a friend. Text or call people what are sick and quarantined.
I just read two great books that you might enjoy, How to Be Calm and How to Be Mindful by Anna Barnes. Both are small books filled with tips, quotes and activities to help you feel more calm and to deal with the things at hand.
What are you doing during this outbreak? Are you reading something you think we might enjoy? Have you found any classes online that you like? Are you spending time listening to podcasts? Share your finds I for one would love to discover something new.
Have a great day!
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We live across from a retirement community, and I've seen absolutely nobody on the street. I am enjoying the absence of traffic and trying to make the most of the imposed home time by doing spring cleaning and gardening. Also trying to email and call friends. I must Facetime my aunt today; she's on lockdown in assisted living.
The reaction of kids is different–I heard an Italian doctor say that children are not getting sick at all. Already teens and young adults think they're invincible. To be the ones spared in a global threat adds to it. They–we all–are going to get the virus, at least 70% of us. For them, there's an attitude of "bring it on, let's get this done." On the one hand, they're right–it's inevitable and low risk for them. On the other hand, they might feel fine, think they aren't contagious, and then infect loved ones who are vulnerable. Are they thinking about that? I don't think so.
College kids probably think they're invincible.
Brenda
Beautiful, encouraging post. Thank you.
I spent today opening a BOX of LOVELY VINTAGE clothing and trying it ON!
Now I'm off to sample a sweet that was in THAT BOX!
STILL in the land of is this REAL……..we have been on LOCK DOWN for the last THREE DAYS!
I have plenty to do but have I done any of THAT?
NOPE!Think I'll have time to get to the deep cleaning and ironing…….ETC!
SPRING is UPON US and THAT means spending MORE TIME OUTSIDE in OUR YARD!
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