INTERESTING
We have all felt, if only modestly, the effects of anxiety, fear or loneliness in our daily lives.
Over the past few weeks, our country and many others have been disrupted by fear and anxiety over the novel virus, SARS-CoV-2. Due to the severity of this virus, we have been given instructions to limit community outings and to keep social distance when around others. This virus has brought tremendous fear for our loved ones, our own health and our financial security. Along with this fear, many of us are having increasing anxiety and loneliness from being isolated in our homes. No matter what you are going through, know that you are not alone. We are all trying to figure this out together. As we continue to navigate through this tough time, I wanted to share a few words that have brought me great peace. In times of an unknown future, it is important to realize how powerful our words and our hopes can be…
“And the people stayed home. And 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 ignorance, 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.”
-Kitty O’Meara’-
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
If you find that you are having increased anxiety or are feeling fearful, here is a website that has helpful tips and resources from experts in the field of mental health.
