Greetings to my wondrous and wild hearted artistic clan,
Properly, it’s been virtually every week since we have now been in voluntary quarantine and sheltering in place right here within the San Francisco, Bay Space as a result of Corona Virus.
And amongst different issues it nonetheless appears completely surreal. I KNOW it’s taking place in my thoughts and I’m performing accordingly by staying house, stocking up on important provides and social distancing with Tim. However my coronary heart and feelings are having a tough time coming to phrases with this new manner of being on the planet. It’s simply exhausting to consider on a sense stage that it’s really actual.
It’s complicated, as a result of on some stage, so long as I’m hunkered down at house, the whole lot seems the identical. However as quickly as I depart the home for walks across the neighborhood or the one time I went to the grocery retailer, the distinction within the outer world vitality is palpable.
For these of you who don’t dwell within the San Francisco Bay Space, the tempo of life right here is intense and sometimes frenetic. The visitors and the excessive value of residing is a supply of fixed stress, parking is a nightmare, and individuals are all the time SUPER busy. However now once I go exterior there’s an virtually eerie sense of calm. In my 44 years of residing right here I don’t know if it’s EVER been this quiet.
Now, I’m probably not complaining about THAT a part of it. I personally LIKE quiet. I’m actually having fun with listening to issues like birdsong once more. And I additionally know that the Earth is getting a break from all of that human exercise, which is permitting her and all of her creatures a possibility to heal.
However there’s additionally a deep sense of loss for my life because it was only a few brief days in the past.
I’ve closed my Oakland studio till additional discover and needed to cancel a pair upcoming in-person retreats. I’m nonetheless in a position to provide some lessons and different workshops in a web-based format… I’m even experimenting with a web-based weekend intuitive retreat! And I’m deeply, deeply grateful that these choices can be found to me.
I held a few free Inventive Braveness webinars on-line this previous week the place we meditated and shared and made some soul artwork and it was actually great and hopeful to attach with so many brave creatives in sacred digital area. And I plan on persevering with to create digital areas the place we are able to meet and join and create without cost or very low value within the coming weeks.
However I’m additionally scared for what the long run goes to usher in the brief time period round my family members and my communities well being. And I’m offended concerning the chaos that’s being unleashed on the financial and healthcare stage by the best way this disaster has been so terribly mismanaged by sure individuals in positions of authority.
I fear concerning the people who’s livelihoods are being impaired in critical methods throughout this shutdown and am additionally deeply grateful to individuals in healthcare, first responders, restaurant staff and folks working within the grocery and {hardware} shops who’re retaining important companies afloat whereas additionally placing themselves in danger to handle the remainder of us.
I belief that in the long term we’ll make it by this disaster remodeled in so some ways. And my prayers are that this upheaval will finally result in extra acutely aware consciousness for all of the ways in which we’re linked and the way a lot we completely want one another if we’re going to not solely survive however really THRIVE on this attractive inexperienced planet. I’m additionally hoping that this era of social turmoil will pressure us to take a practical take a look at sure programs of presidency and economics which might be hurting us reasonably than serving to in order that they are often dismantled and extra life affirming programs put of their place.
I need to remind all of us once more, how vital it’s to handle not solely our bodily well being however our emotional and religious properly being. It is a time of heightened anxiousness and all of us want to provide ourselves time and area the place our nervous programs can re-connect with a way of calm. Some issues which have been serving to me are limiting my information consumption, taking time to hope, meditate and hook up with spirit, speaking with family and friends and naturally, being artistic in any manner that I can.
A part of heartful hygiene is solely making area for all the various feelings you might be more likely to be feeling throughout this time. Personally, I’ve been on a little bit of an emotional rollercoaster, careening from anger and irritation to panic and grief after which having moments of deep calm and acceptance and even pleasure. And easily strolling my speak by making an attempt to carry ALL of it with as a lot compassion and tenderness as potential.
Due to the social distancing protocols, attempt to keep aware of your family and friends who may want some additional care and a spotlight proper now, particularly for people who find themselves older, coping with well being points already and who’re residing alone. Digital hugs are by no means nearly as good as the true factor, however reaching out to let your individuals know that you just love them goes an extended strategy to serving to people really feel much less remoted throughout a time when all we need to do is hunker down and be collectively to climate the storm.
So take note of what you want and the way you are feeling, and don’t be afraid to succeed in out and ask for assist or a listening ear if you happen to want one. And provide one if you happen to’ve bought the coronary heart area to spare.
From my wild coronary heart to yours,
Chris
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