I want to share a few things that are helping me through the endless days of going nowhere, but first I feel compelled to disclose that it’s not all rainbows and unicorns over here.

As I’ve been trying to convince my students and clients, you can’t tell your wisdom story if you don’t disclose the despair from which it grew.

I’ve woken up most mornings this week feeling horrible. Some old physical symptoms have made an encore performance.

Not to mention that old dog, depression.

Some days, I haven’t had the strength to fight it. I’ve stayed in bed, never bothered to shower or dress. 

While I don’t claim to have the magic button for getting through a pandemic, I can share what has helped me on those other days when a little effort has carried me through.

1) Reading something inspiring

I just finished reading Shala Nicely’s book about recovering from OCD, Is Fred in the Refrigerator? I picked it up because I’m writing a memoir about parenting OCD and wanted to see how the author had written about her disorder.

As a writer, I admired how she collected wisdom and strategies like gold coins in an old-fashioned quest story.

But mostly, it lifted my spirits to read something heartbreakingly honest and vulnerable.


2A good, long cry

Shala’s story has made me weep with gratitude and also brought up my grief. Which seems to be the daily cocktail: gratitude and grief.

It helps to let it all out. As my business mentor, Samantha Bennett, often reminds her tribe, feelings just want to be felt. 


3) Receiving gratitude. Witnessing gratitude.

I’ve received emails, memes, and even poems expressing thanks for the writing practice sessions I’ve been offering.

In addition to feeling good about serving my community, the expression of unabashed gratitude is simply a gorgeous thing to behold.


4) Showing up for others.

Holding twice-weekly meditation and writing practice sessions has given me a reason to shower, dress, and even apply a little make-up.

But it’s not just me who’s showing up. It’s everyone who participates holding space for one another. 
 

We can carry each other through this
 

  • When you read an inspiring book, you remember how important it is to tell your story, to let yourself be vulnerable on the page.
  • When you express your feelings, you remember that you are a sensitive creature and you need to acknowledge how deeply you feel things.
  • When you are present with someone else’s gratitude, you are witness to the human heart.
  • And when you gather together in community, you hold one another up.

Our practice sessions continue through quarantine.

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