Unfortunately, it looks as though our social isolation may continue for at least another month. I have no doubt that the world will be waiting for us once we emerge from our isolation. Though what that world will look like is anybody’s guess.When faced with an uncertain future there is no point in worrying about it. Worrying just makes us weaker physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In time, the future will reveal itself to us and it will be what it will be. The most important question is not what that future will look like, but what version of yourself will walk out to meet it.
Anytime you find yourself worrying about the future, redirect your focus to the here and now – this week, this day, this moment. Use this time of forced isolation to find the best within yourself, and bring it to the foreground and sharpen the focus.
Imagine if you spent the next thirty days eating healthy foods, practicing Yoga and meditating every day. Imagine if you learned a new skill or took up an old hobby. So that when it is time to rejoin the world, you are rested and ready to put your best foot forward.
Growing up in England my ‘Fairy God-Mother’, Mrs. Sherman, used to share stories of her experiences in the war (World War II). She reminisced about the singing in the subways while the bombs rained down on the streets above. She told jokes about the black market and the air-raid wardens and of how much brighter the stars were during the blackouts. I grew up thinking it was all quite magical.
Many years later I found out from my mother that Mrs. Sherman drove an ambulance in London during the Blitz. As most people fled from the falling bombs, she was driving towards the fires. Mrs. Sherman lost her brother and her fiancée, both pilots, shot down in the Battle of Britain. When I asked Mrs. Sherman why she had never before shared these stories with me, she told me that that every crisis carries with it both good and bad. It is up to us to decide which we choose to dwell upon.
In the spirit of making lemonade, I have used the past week to organize my photo albums, clean out a closet (no small feat), and most importantly, learn how to make and share yoga videos on line and live-stream (see below for details).
I have decided to re-read Gabriel García Márquez’s acclaimed novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude. I think I will have a whole new appreciation for magical realism now that I am living it!
What about you? How are you going to use this time?
I wish you and all of your loved ones well in the coming weeks. Please know that although I may not be teaching classes, I am always available by email if you have questions or concerns.
Namaste’
March 30, 2020
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2 Comments
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I love your advice: “Use this time of forced isolation to find the best within yourself, and bring it to the foreground and sharpen the focus.” This is an excellent reminder that we are empowered to be our best selves, if we don’t stand in our way. This pandemic is an opportunity for everyone to exercise compassion for both ourselves and for others. And yoga is a wonderful way to practice that.
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Author
Dear Laurel, it is so nice to hear from you. Did you finish your novel? I woke up this morning with a full sci-fi novel in my head, and forgot about it in the shower, but your msg reminded me, and I think I remember enough to make some notes which I might even find time to write from! Best of luck to you and your loved ones.
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