The world is facing challenging times of crisis. Closed borders and travel bans, quarantine, shortage of food supply, scary news and much fear. Viruses don’t care about our status, money or fame, spreading from state officials to famous actors. Realize how vulnerable and fragile we are.
I know there are things I can’t control, no matter how much I might try: businesses going bankrupt, money devaluation, economies under collapse, political changes.
But there is one thing I can fully control, and that is my inner world. For my thoughts, my actions and my emotions, I am in charge.
During times of general panic that’s been inflected to us all over social media and tv channels, I do my best to protect myself emotionally, mentally and spiritually and to keep my family safe: mind, body, and soul. Here is how:
1. Take good care of my body.
Make sure I eat well, take my vitamins, stay hydrated, keep my hands clean, move, get enough sleep.
2. Be mindful.
See, apart from corona, there is another kind of virus in the air. It is fear. A panicked mind can’t see and think clearly, and fear sells well.
To be mindful is to realize our mind is full. What is it currently full of?
Here’s what I’ve been busy with since this corona panic has started: a vast repertoire of scenarios that haven’t happened yet:
What if we end up with no food? How am I going to feed my baby? How to keep breastfeeding?
What if I can’t see my family at all this year?
What if my mother gets sick? (she works in a hospital)
What if our savings get ruined?
Such worries are normal. It’s all about being human. But we can always choose which kind of thoughts we allow into our minds.
If you also find yourself overwhelmed by “what if” questions, check the sanity of your thoughts. Ask yourself: Is that true? How is this thought helping me right now? How would my life be right now if I let go of this thought?
You might realize everything is an illusion, a possibility, and your worries are not real. Whatever you might be fearing, you are not there yet. The only reality to count on is time will tell.
Besides keeping our hands clean, let us take a mind shower, and do it often. When stressed, we are not at ease which is, in itself, a dis-ease.
3. Observe my emotions.
I know I am not what I feel. Feelings are transitory, come and go. Sadness, anxiety, fear, they are not going to stay with me forever. I learned how to detach myself from my emotions and witness them with no judgment.
I suggest you try this exercise and act as an observer. Do not pretend everything is fine when, in fact, it isn’t. Staying in denial is a trap.
Replace I am worried / anxious / afraid / sad / angry / confused / disappointed by:
There is worry / anxiety / fear / sadness / anger / confusion / disappointment in me right now.
See you much lighter you feel. This way, energy-consuming emotions that used to torment you do not own you any longer, and you own them instead.
4. Stay positive.
There is much power in hope and faith. A positive mindset helps to boost our immune system with serotonin, the feel-good hormone.
I keep myself informed but stay away from negativity. I spend quality time with my family, without getting trapped in toxic news. We listen to our favorite music. We play with our baby and watch some cartoons. We keep calm. Prepare good tea we enjoy. Read uplifting books. We filled our house with flowers and vivid colors. It’s the spring season; all endings are new beginnings.
We call our families. Talk to our friends. During times of physical disconnection, staying emotionally connected is a true blessing.
I choose to live in an intelligent Universe where things happen for me, not to me.
I pray and ask God to keep us safe from harm and injury. I pray for humanity and the ones carrying the virus and for their dear ones. I send thoughts of healing.
5. What is my learning?
I think every single experience is an opportunity for growth and we mostly learn from pain, from challenges that stretch us. Looking at the current world crisis, what’s the gain in pain? I find this to be a great time for reflection and healing.
Because of this virus, my family had to postpone our vacation. Oh, my. What a wake-up call! There are so many things I’ve been taking for granted. Good health. The food and the water supply. The shelter. The car. The internet cable. For all this, I am truly thankful.
I believe everything happens for a reason. As long as this crisis been allowed by the Divine, it must come with a lesson. Something we are going to understand later, once things calm down.
It could be a warning. A way to let go of the busyness of the modern society we live in, learn how to do less and be more. Reconnect with our true, human nature. Understand what’s truly important.
It could be a lesson about community, compassion, generosity, inclusion, collaboration, empathy, genuine care, unity, and coexisting without hunger, poverty, so much division, and wars. It could be that our planet is shifting paradigms, going from Fear to Love.
A big thank you to the medical staff all around the world, those doctors, nurses taking care of the sick, facing sleep deprivation, while most of us are currently stuck in the comfort of our homes.
Being a human right now is not easy, and this, too, shall pass. Let us nourish our minds with healthy thoughts, take good care of ourselves and each other. Observe the panic without giving it further. That is something we can certainly work on and take charge of. Once and for all, we might need to understand We Are All One.