Hello Friends,
In my last blog, I talked about wellness behaviors to help get us through this period of Social Distancing and Self Quarantine. We now find ourselves at a place in time, in which Social Distancing is no longer a foreign concept, but a way of life, a way to live, and a way to save lives.
“We separate now so we can be together later” Brian Williams
I know we’re all doing the best we can do.
What’s it been like for you? How are you feeling? Isolated? Lonely? Anxious? Scared?
All of the above.
Let’s be honest. These are scary times.
But we must remember that even in the midst of a global pandemic and social distancing, we need one another.
We are a human community.
We, humans, need community for survival.
What do you notice when you’re outside your home environment?
When outside the house, shopping for groceries or simply taking a walk, I’m noticing that people are fearful. People of all ages, including kids, are so afraid that they go beyond the six-foot distance rule. Folks avoid speaking, offering a smile or even making eye contact with one another. They lower their heads and turn away.
Friends remember the virus is the enemy, not our neighbors.
Can we find a way - a way to acknowledge that we are here in this world together, as humans; as souls who need to love one another through a very difficult time?
This is a lovely gift; to actually see the person in front of you -your neighbor, your friend, your partner, your children, your grocery clerk for Pete’s sake!
This is something we all need right now. We need to be seen. We need to be acknowledged for our presence on earth, and the light our souls bring to illuminate these dark times.
“Namaste”
(“The light in me recognizes and honors the light in you. We are one.”)
Namaste is typically accompanied with the hands in a prayer position at the heart and a bow. According to Deepak Chopra, in India, people passing on the street, family members greeting one another, children acknowledging their elders, and strangers meeting for the first time all join their palms together and bow their heads in respect of one another.
Ok. Maybe bowing to the person at the grocery store isn’t your thing. I get that.
But keep this in mind, acknowledging one another with eye contact and a smile, offers connection, empathy, compassion, and generosity - things we all need more of right now.
And ironically, this may be more infectious than a virus and do more to boost your immune system than Vitamin C, and it’s free!
Keep your distance but build a bridge.
Until next time,
“I see you and I love you!”
Be well,
*This phrase was planted in my heart at the Hoffman Process. Hoffman is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transformative adult education, spiritual growth, and the personal dimensions of leadership.
P.S. Need a little grounding? Hoffman is leading a quadrinity-check meditation every morning on Instagram at 9:00 a.m. PDT. Look for Hoffman Process (live). Hope to see you there!