A Helpful Reminder for Dealing with COVID-19 (and Life)

Today’s message is simple.

It may not be an easy one to practice, especially in the midst of the uncertainty and real suffering of many people dealing with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. But it is a good one. A sanity-preserving one. And I would argue a necessary first step to doing anything truly helpful or productive.

It is this: Give yourself permission to be where you are at with it.

That’s it.

Are you sick?

Are you afraid?

Are you panicking?

Are you judging those who are?

Are you frustrated with people hoarding basic necessities?

Are you worried about elderly loved ones, or about how you will pay your rent?

Are you grieving real loss or the possibility that loss could easily occur?

Are you saddened and depressed by the state of humanity and our impact on the world?

Do you see this as natural population control; and wish everyone would stop pretending like we are above other species and the processes of the natural world?

Are you seeing the silver linings in the forced pause and wishing others would stop focusing on the sh*t?

Do you think this is a gift on a spiritual level; an opportunity for us all to step into a new level of consciousness where we begin to treat ourselves, each other and the world with the kindness and can more freely shine our light?

Or perhaps you are feeling righteous about the fact you knew this (and other chaos-inducing events) was coming and frustrated that few have been willing to take you seriously when you tried to share about another way that this (the trajectory humanity) could go?

Are you saddened that it takes a global crisis for people to be willing to pause and consider the impact they have on those around them, and the world?

Are you feeling hopeless?

Are you just bored?

Whatever it is you are feeling, experiencing or thinking allow yourself to have it.

Try to find compassion for yourself. Allow yourself to have your initial reaction.

Don’t necessarily act on it, but let yourself have it.

Find a way to let the thoughts and the emotions out in a way that also lets others have their space to process. Write it out. Call and friend and ask to vent.

Be responsible with where you direct your thoughts and feelings, yes. But don’t stop yourself from having them.

Let them be valid. Give them voice (if only to yourself).

And in the space that follows, you will find your deeper truth.

You will find the place in you that knows just what to say, and just what to do.

Give yourself permission to be where you are at with all of it.

Not as the answer, but as the way to a new way forward.

One guided by your own deepest inner truth.

Trusting you, and loving you where ever you are at with all of it.

xo,

Danielle