Hello All Travelers!
I wanted to begin with something different, but now that Covid 19 has embedded itself into our Souls, I thought I should address that.
Doubtless all of our lives have changed drastically and we don't know what's next, or when.
Take a deep breath...
Slow down...
Don't panic and don't hoard...
WASH WASH WASH your hands mindfully and often.
Use non-contact greetings with others, like a Japanese bow or Namaste greeting. I personally don't like the elbow contact greeting, since that brings you closer than the recommended 6-10 feet.
Be careful not to scare your kids, but make sure they understand how important this is.
FACTS vs POLITICS
Watch out for emails that purport to be Corona-Virus-related. There are suddenly many scams. Understand the difference between politics / policies and facts. Listen to trusted sources, take it seriously and follow their advice. Your doctor of course, doctors tend to know more than folk wisdom on the internet. I will recommend the CDC, NIH, your state or city government website (i.e. "www.ms.gov") and search for corona virus or covid 19. You can also check with your nearest university, especially if there is a medical school attached to it i.e. www.umass.edu). Your local NPR radio station and PBS TV news are reliable. So I will not repeat everything here, but just wanted to emphasize some things.
FINANCIAL
What I haven't seen so much is addressing your finances. We don't know how long this world emergency is going to last, and most businesses have shut down, so Reduce your spending as much as you can. If you have a budget, review it and see where you can cut. If you don't, you can find good forms at www.accc.com. Or just make a list of your income, savings and expenses (every single penny). Organize your expenses so that the most important things come first: housing (rent/mortgage), food, medications, child essentials (diapers, etc). Then
Make sure you understand need and want. Be absolutely honest when you list your needs, and forget the wants for now (that's for when everyone - you, local businesses, the government, ... is back on track).
NOW LET'S MOVE FORWARD
Having gotten all that our of my system (I hope some of it was helpful to you), let's move on. My purpose here is not to lecture you about this time of world emergency, to give statistics or symptoms or how to handle them. I want to help you get through the lock-down times a little more pleasantly.
What do you do when locked down at home? Some suggestions:
- read that book you've had sitting on your shelf
- invent new games with your children
- play, paint, sing, draw dance with your children
- spend extra time with your pets
- listen to the radio
- write that novel
- write poetry (see below)
- meditate or pray
- watch movies on your watch list
- dance. If you think you don't know how, just walk in rhythm to your favorite music.
- cook something new
- make a video
- go into the street and dance / sing / play your instrument / lead some exercises for your neighbors (like Italy or Spain)
- add to this list
How to Write a Poem
anyone who can write can do this. 1st grade, maybe even kindergarten.
Line 1:
Your first name
Line 2:
three things that you love or that make you happy
Line 3:
three things you are afraid of (or wonder about)
Line 4:
three things you hope for
Line 5:
Your last name (or a name you give yourself)
Your poem can be simple or complex, short or loooong, light or deep. You might use this to address your feelings about the current Covid virus. Share with others if you want.
CONTACT ME: oasisinthestorm@gmail.com
How are you spending your time? What is the hardest thing for you? What's the best? How is your community coping? Have you come across anything surprising? Share your writings, music, videos, comments.
So, stay safe and healthy!