Rather than write another entry in my journal, I decided to go for a blog post. With all that is going on in the world, especially this past week, I felt inspired to share some thoughts.
After reading about toilet paper hoarding, I decided to take a stroll through the aisles of our local Hannaford store Friday evening. Never have I seen anything like it! Not only was the toilet paper wiped out, but the produce aisle… the meat aisle… the canned goods and pasta aisle…I didn't even venture down the medicine aisle, but I am certain that aisle was empty as well! As I was walking through the store, I could not help my mind from wondering…
“Wow, people are freaking out…”
“People are full of fear, anxiety, worry. What are they scared of… the unknown realm? Of dying? Of an apocalypse”?
“Seriously? People are hoarding TP"?
“How did people wipe their rears before toilet paper anyway”?
“I’ve never seen grocery store shelves so empty, this is wild”!
“What the heck would we do without farmers to grow our food? We’d all be screwed”!
As I was driving around looking for a package of toilet paper, I started thinking about food and our basic survival needs. What sustains us? Our true basic needs are very minimal – food, water, a roof over our head, and clearly a few rolls of toilet paper! Seriously though, what would we do without farmers?! Particularly, farmers who grow the food that we eat. This day in age it is easy to lose perspective and take for granted what truly sustains us. That is, until a crisis such as the one that is currently playing out across the globe takes place. It is in times like this that we are poignantly reminded of our basic needs and the vulnerability of our human experience. Farmers feed us, and they deserve respect as does our Great Mother Earth. Without her soils to grow thy food which nourishes us, we would wither away to nothing. The loss of farmers and the destruction of our environment is far scarier in my view than this virus. Of course there are those among us who are at higher risk of falling ill and others have legitimate concerns about the potential loss of income and how they will support their families in the event they must stay home for a few weeks. Perhaps some of us even fear the loss of a loved one who is elderly or at higher risk of having complications. These concerns and fears are very real, and I am not discounting them in anyway. The measures that are being taken domestically and abroad to mitigate the spread of this virus will have far reaching implications. However, at the end of the day, I think we humans are very noble beings with strong spirits -- we are resourceful, resilient and the vast majority of us WILL endure these choppy waters. Our survival centers are being activated BIG TIME, and I challenge us all to:
1) Bathe in the light of gratitude each time we eat. Thank a farmer from the bottom of your heart for the tireless work they do to sustain us, and send out love and gratitude to our Great Mother Earth for all the ways in which she nourishes us, and gives to us.
2) Donate $$ to a local food shelf or non-profit in the community in which you live that supports those in need. Be there for the people who may not be as fortunate as you, and are experiencing difficulty.
Let us be there for each other in times of need. Be a source of encouragement and strength! Hold each other up. Do not allow yourself to wallow in the negative realms of panic, anxiety and fear. Do I think it is prudent to take cautionary measures and be vigilant in times like this? Absolutely! I think it is wise for us to all do our part and be as proactive as possible in mitigating the spread of this virus. However, vibrating from high levels of panic, anxiety, fear and worry is not healthy, nor will reacting from this negative emotional state resolve any of the issues. The law of attraction is coming to mind and the notion that “our thoughts create our reality”. We must have courage in times like these, and manage our emotions/thoughts so as to vibrate from a higher plane of trust, faith, hope, love and a sense of being grounded and able to handle circumstances as they arise. Only take what you need to be prepared, and leave the rest for others. Keep your vibration strong and know that “this too, shall pass”. I am reminded of our root chakra, which is surely off balance in so many of us right now. While waiting to get my hair cut this past Saturday, I was drawn to the chakra oils that were infusing the air of the salon. Here is what the Root Chakra card read:
Do your best to take care of your body and stay grounded during stressful times. What makes you feel grounded and balanced? Find a root chakra affirmation that resonates and proclaim it frequently over these next few weeks and months! Be flexible and adapt to the changing circumstances without resistance. Stay strong, so you can be there to help others who most need it during these unsettling times. Be patient with each other and provide encouragement where needed. Try your hardest to remain calm and weather the storm. WE WILL get through this. Life goes on. Trust that your needs will be met and you'll handle and adapt to circumstances as they arise.
The coronavirus has me contemplating the interconnection of us all. It hurts my heart that so many of us have become so divided, disrespectful of each other and unwilling to listen to another’s point of view. This is especially true regarding politics! At the end of the day we are all in this together, and we are not always going to agree or see things through the same lens. That’s okay -- we are individuals with our own thoughts, beliefs and life experiences. How boring life would be without others to challenge our points of view and play devil's advocate every now and then! Despite where someone else stands on any particular issue, we can respectfully disagree, choose not to engage in unproductive debate (especially on social media) and instead pour energy into championing the causes that matter most to us through action.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world". - Gandhi
This concludes my soapbox spiel for the day. If you remember anything from these words, remember to keep your vibration strong and radiate from a place of trust, hope and courage! Only take what you need. Respect one another and be a source of encouragement & support! Let us hold each other up, rather than tear each other down.
Lastly, if you ate food today, send gratitude to the farmers that feed us and our Great Mother Earth.
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