As we all deal with this situation in whatever way we can--and who am I to judge what make you feel better, gives you courage, keeps you sane?--I find I am both heartened by the goodness and generosity and courage of my fellows, and overwhelmed by their offerings.
Not just the kindness of neighbors and friends, the offers of shopping or sharing, but the huge, global outpouring of offerings, opportunities, encouragement, information, classes. Novenas from Abbey of the Arts. A Virtual Retreat from Philip Carr-Gomm. Wisdom from my shamanic friends. Prayers from my Christian friends. Buddhist wisdom. Whimsy. Music offerings. Blog posts. Painting and drawing how-tos or sketch-alongs. Information on home made masks. Gardening advice for those who have never gardened, and those who have. Herbal information. Exercises to stay in shape when the gym is closed. Posts from doctors, nurses, researchers. Videos. Recipes. Humor, tragedy. The human condition.
So MANY want to do what they can to help. What we can. So many want to make what small contributions they can. I've made videos available to artists, and an eBook for those who want and need to keep a journal of these days--I am, a Pandemic Journal. I've got half a dozen blog posts in the pipeline here, drafts waiting to be finished, photos found, published...and yet...
Are you feeling overwhelmed? I am.
Perhaps it's time to step back and focus. Slow down. Step away from computers and devices. Pet a cat. Take a dog for a walk. Sew. Chop vegetables. Watch the sun come up again, tomorrow, as it will. Breathe. Be.
I fully agree! For me this time has so far been an opportunity to shed much of what was weighing me down and to reevaluate without so many "options." They were all good options, but there were too many in person options that felt like obligations to my introverted soul. Now I'm finding ways to reach out and connect that actually nurture rather than drain me in the process, since I can only do them in relative solitude. This is a gift! And I really appreciate your reminders of some ways to enrich this time. Thank you, Kate!
ReplyDeleteI still need to focus more...too many only courses and offerings and summits. But we are also spending more time in meditation and solitude...
DeleteYou're welcome!
Cathy, I enjoy your art so much thank you. I'm cleaning out little areas of the house while stuck at home... I've got a big stack of very old art magazines - from the 80's! Your articles from nearly 40 years ago are still excellent sources of information. Thanks again.
ReplyDeletePat
Thank you Pat!
DeleteLovely post! I am petting a cat right now--LOL! :)
ReplyDeleteI am trapped into news cycles, free art lessons on line, staying in touch with friends, live daily online meetings--the electronic list goes on and on. I too am trying to carve out time each day to simple BE, outdoors if possible, and SEE the tiny miracles and magic in my world.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to be overwhelmed, isn't it? I'm learning to hide, scroll past, decide against even those classes that sound lovely, because I need time to go within, to breathe!
DeleteIt’s easy for me not to be overwhelmed! I don’t look at the stuff in the first place! 😘
ReplyDeleteSmart woman! I have taken several classes on the Shift Network and found this very helpful, but they have SO MANY. Today I got THREE emails from them about their various classes...I would love to take qi gong, and I'm sure the others are fine too, but enough is enough. And...those are NOT free, so it would rather quickly add up.
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