by Karin Roberts
Yes, I’m feeling deep sadness for so many people. Yes, I miss seeing my two young grandsons so very much. Yes, I get scared at times and anxious about our retirement savings in the stock market—BUT—this time of cocooning in my home has had many blessings.
In the past, I have resisted doing quiet things like meditation and yoga on any regular basis. I haven’t taken the time to slow down, even after I retired two and a half years ago. But over the past 30 days spent mostly inside, I’ve found a yoga teacher on YouTube whom I connect with and enjoy, I found a video produced during this crisis from the dearest Shaolin Kung Fu master who gives us five breath exercises to help strengthen the lungs, I meditate quietly or using guided meditation almost daily, I found a simple prayer that has been extremely helpful, and I feel more love toward people in general.
When I take my daily walk, I exchange waves and hellos to others walking on the other side of the street. I’m practicing staying more present when I’m having difficulty sleeping, when I’m feeling helpless to really make a difference in this crisis, or if I’m feeling fearful and anxious. I’m loving myself more after 60 plus years of being so hard on myself. I’m remembering to practice gratitude, gratitude, gratitude.
I think the world needed a wake-up call, but I still struggle with feeling awful about all the people who have died and for all those who have lost dear ones and couldn’t be by their side. Do some have to sacrifice for this growth to come about? It seems like that is always the case.
