Never in my life have I questioned my ability to go to grocery stores or petrol stations.
With the whole world in lockdown due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), changes to our daily lives and unforeseen disruption, we hope everyone is holding up well at home and keeping mentally and physically fit!
In this article, I’ll
- analyse gifted opportunities for us to realign with nature and our potential
- suggest some options for you to keep healthy physically, mentally and spiritually
- suggest some learning material to either rediscover some forgotten connections or wonder and explore new perspectives
- skip instructions and information about the Coronavirus, since official sources are detailing every aspect of it. But if you’re curious, Kurzgesagt has a brilliant video summary on YouTube.
Overcoming “scary times”
It’s easy to spiral down in the negativity that surrounds us, but where will that get us? Instead, we have the opportunity to pay gratitude every day for the comforts, luxuries and love we have. They make our lives so much safer, pleasant and full of opportunities for us to live in harmony with ourselves and everything around us.
None of us knows how long this will take to recover (maybe a few weeks, a few months or a few years… who knows?), so we can only move forward.
Economically speaking, Coronavirus is shifting the landscape so much that it doesn’t appear like we are ever going to return to the way things were before. The beginning of a massive shift for all of us, a massive change for society, having many businesses shut down and people lose their jobs. Many social systems will have to be recreated anew, ideally more in alignment with the whole planet.
Are we going to be okay? Absolutely! And it’s important to know that. These are times of great trials and tribulations for all of us as we are offered this collective opportunity to cultivate a new awareness, self-discovery, and evolution.
Opportunities presented
What we do with the moments we have in life right now are very important.
It is now when we have the opportunities for self-reflection to grow, change, and step into the reality that we want to create. In this way, losing our jobs can become an opportunity to live the life of our dreams, instead of fearing about the fading of a dying world.
- What’s going to happen if we go through this period and don’t do anything?
- What’s going to happen if we let the opportunity pass us by, and don’t learn the lessons that are presented before us?
If nothing changes within, nothing will change in the world! We will continue to see the same recurring problems and circumstances that we’ve always had, and missed these golden opportunities for change.
It’s time we set our sights upon something bigger, a bright and vibrant world for all of us, to live in together to thrive together in harmony with the planet. And if all of us were to share this vision it wouldn’t be hard to make it happen.
And how do we do so? Let’s start simple! Let’s start with ourselves and removing things from our life.
- When was the last time you sat down and reviewed your life? (I prefer to do it on paper, as it provides accountability and trajectory for the future)
- When was the last time you substracted instead of adding things you do?
- When was the last time you thought of all the things you currently do and how and if they contribute at all to your development?
- When was the last time you thanked and loved yourself for all the hard and incredible work you’ve done to get where you are?
The way we behave and act dictates everything we get to have.
This is one of our many opportunities to change for the better. Take it! Reflect on the questions above and answer honestly in your journal/notebook. See where you are, discover what you can do less so you can have more energy to focus on the things that matter most to you.
Keeping stimulated during the lockdown
The world is a loving and nurturing place by nature. Whenever we go through any dire situation in the world, countless people and businesses jump to help out wherever and however they can. Down deep that’s who we all are: loving, kind and compassionate humans.
- Coronavirus kindness: The people offering help as the virus spreads
- The people helping strangers during the coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus kindness: Chefs serve up free meals to NHS staff
- Global coronavirus crisis inspires creativity and kindness
- Disasters and crises bring out the best in us
Whether we can go help somewhere or not, we can help ourselves. Here is a suggested list of readings and activities we can do for our benefit and development.
Keeping the body active and fit
Down Dog is offering all their apps for free until May 1st, or July 1st for students, teachers and medical staff.
- Down Dog – Select your time, level, focus, voice, and music, and Down Dog creates a unique, personalized yoga practice every time.
- Yoga for Beginners – New to yoga? Yoga for Beginners is an entirely free app created to introduce absolute beginners to the practice of yoga.
- HIIT – Turn up the intensity with High-Intensity Interval Training. Use your body weight to get your heart rate up and efficiently burn fat while building muscle – no fancy props required.
- Barre – Get lean, fit, and toned with a new ballet-inspired workout every day. Boost thighs, glutes, or core for an extra muscle-shaking challenge
- 7 Minute Workout – The only exercise you’ll ever need. Backed by science, the 7 Minute Workout engages every muscle in your body to improve strength, agility, and endurance.
Wondering, creative thinking and learning
Food for thought
Documentaries
Books
- Becoming Supernatural – Dr. Joe Dispenza
- The Big Leap – Gay Hendricks
- Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown
- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway – Susan Jeffers
- Thou Shall Prosper – Rabbi Daniel Lapin
- Letting Go – David R. Hawkins
Socialising at distance
Since we had to cancel our events because they require being physically present, and we are committed to being of help during these turbulent times, we locked ourselves in the kitchen and brainstormed what can we do. The outcome? Remote events for a variety of activities where we can virtually socialize and have a good time.
These remote events include
- Film festivals
- Virtual board games evenings
- Knowledge sharing and debate sessions
- Introduction to the Touring Monkeys Book Club
- A running challenge (only for those who are not sick and can still get out)
- And other activities.
All of the events will be added in our Meetup group (join so you receive notifications when the events are scheduled) and synced on our events page
In conclusion
It is in times of uncertainty that we will be challenged (and changed) as a person and collective, for better or worse. This will either lead to post-traumatic stress or post-traumatic growth.
- What are we going to do, in this situation?
- How are we going to respond?
- How are we going to change?
- Are we going to be overwhelmed and absorbed by everything going on around us?
- Or are we going to focus on what (and who) needs to be focused on?
This is a crucial time for you, and me. As the external environment becomes increasingly chaotic, the need for internal stability, vision, and peace is essential.
Our wellbeing, development and future, is entirely in our hands. It matters how we act now.
Use this time to reconnect with yourself and the simple things in life.
———
Disclaimer: Some content in this article was inspired by a recent video of Spirit Science called Our Great Transformation Begins Now!
