I Hope You’re Doing Well

“It's a small world after all”   ~ The Sherman Brothers

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This week, a co-worker fell ill and another has a relative close to death on a ventilator in New York City.  As the news slowly trickled in, somehow all of the stories I've been reading didn't feel so distant any longer; I found myself oscillating between panic-doing and reminding myself to be steady.

My rushing and frenzied attempts at productivity, I've learned, are a sign of desperately trying to control what I'm able.  The good news is I realize when it's happening, the not-so-good news is I sometimes struggle to snap myself out of it.  I tell this to a friend who suggests maybe the better question to ask is

“What can you choose?”

So instead of more news, worrying about friends and family, house cleaning, general fretting, or emotional eating, I'm choosing instead my own version of self-care.

My must-do list is only allowed to have small rituals, pleasures, and caring acts that keep me grounded.  Things like focusing at work, meditation, yoga, walks, reading, music, water, sleep, hot baths, friends (virtually), movies, board games, snuggling with our pets, and something every day that helps others.

Those are the things that I must do, and anything else comes after, if at all.

I don't have to search for the latest news, the important stuff will find me.  I don't have to scour the web for the best recipes to use what we have in the pantry.  Egg sandwiches for dinner will be just fine.  I don't have to achieve laundry zero or clean the kitchen floor (yet again).  What's the rush, really?  There's nowhere I have to be

Oh, and every few hours, I worry that I might be losing my sense of taste or maybe I have to sneeze, but so far I emerge out of those cycles too.

Mostly, what I want to tell you is, you're not alone.  We're all just doing the best we can.

Today, a few fun things that I hope will brighten your spirits ..

Book Club – Because reading is our offering in times of ease and also times of trouble, we're going to add a few extra books (and meetings) to our reading schedule.  For now, we'll be moving to Zoom and going forward will always have it as an option for those who can't attend in person

Our next meeting is on Sunday, April 5th, at 3 pm CST, and we're reading two books:  Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen and The Dalai Lama's Cat.  We'd love for you to join us whether you've read one or both or neither!

For all of the details: The Equitable Literati Book Club on Meetup

(Video Credit: YouTube -jamjar30002000 – This Little Light of Mine)

Church – One of the brightest lights in my week was Brene Brown's Instagram Live 15-minute church service.  Have you tuned in?  Friends and strangers coming together for a short lesson, a few songs, and a prayer.  It lifted my spirits like nothing else.

Anne Lamott's TED Talk – Contains everything anyone needs to know.  All of it.  She reminds me of some of the older people I loved in my life.  Like I could talk to her all day long.

The story I've read again and again and again – and I hope you love it too

Facing Fear With Compassion – Yesterday, I came across this talk from Elizabeth Gilbert on Insight Timer.  I listened to it during my afternoon walk and sucked up her every word like water in the desert.

(Video Credit – YouTube – Hawthorn University – The Rainbow Diet with Dr. Deanna Minich.)

Webinars – If you're feeling anxious and want to be pro-active, Hawthorn University has a wealth of webinars available.  These are three of my favorites that focus on reducing stress, improving immunity, and feeling well in general.

The Rainbow Diet: Unlocking Nature's Color Code for the Full-Spectrum of Health with Dr. Deanna Minich.  Learn how phytonutrients play a role in impacting your health

The Power of the Right Diet in Digestive and Immune Issues with Liz Lipski, Ph. D.  Eating well while we're cooking in.  A primer on different approaches to eating well, including the Mediterranean diet, FODMAP diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, 6-food Elimination Diet, Comprehensive Elimination Diet, Paleo-Immune, Elemental Diet, and a restorative diet for people who have several maldigestion or malabsorption issues. asdf

David Crow addresses herb and oil blends for relaxing and for strengthening the nervous system.  Learn formulas for reducing stress and tension, tension headaches, nervousness and irritability, and stress-related insomnia

 

(Featured Photo Credit:  Instagram – @lisacongdon)