Making Sense of it All in the Time of Coronavirus

We are living in a period of history right now that will be studied and discussed for generations after us. I've been telling all the youth I know that they are the Anne Frank's of this generation. Someday people will want to understand what it was like to grow up during The Time of Coronavirus and they will turn to our children for that knowledge.  

It's too much to really grasp or make sense of. We don't even know exactly what it is we are experiencing. It's a very disorienting experience.

It started out a lot of talk and fears about a pandemic that might happen. Then we were told the pandemic was happening. A few big events were cancelled. Schools started closing, public libraries closed. We were told it would last a couple weeks. Church was cancelled. Then it was extended for a month.  Non-essential businesses were closed. Amazon stopped delivering everything in 2 days. Now the shutdown has been extended for another month. It's different depending on where in the world you live. My perspective and experience are pretty limited to my little corner of the world in the Seattle area. Some places have experienced earthquakes and other natural disasters on top of everything being shut down. We know this is not going to be a little short term blip. We are in it for the long haul. What does that mean? How long will it be?

Those on the front lines - healthcare workers, those who are ill, family of the ill and dying and the millions of families who have lost their income - are having an even more intense experience. I think most of us fear joining their ranks at some point. This thing is coming for us all. Our health, our economic well-being, or both, will be impacted.

We are living out the story and we have no idea yet how it will turn out. How will good overcome evil? Who will survive and who won't?  How will the world be different after the dust settles? When will this be over? What will our new normal be? So many questions. So many theories. So many unknowns.

And those of us who aren't on the front lines yet have this sense of dread and foreboding. We can feel that things have changed yet so much of our lives is still the same. Our health and economic well-being have yet to be impacted. Our families are fine. We are working, home schooling, making and eating meals, and watching a lot of Netflix. Nothing is really wrong. But we sense that something is terribly wrong. And suddenly we are crying. What is happening?!

This week I've struggled with depression. From talking to friends and family, I have the impression lots of people are in this place right now. We are not even sure what we are experiencing but we know it's going to go on for awhile. And it's bringing up a lot of emotion. We don't know how to make sense of it. If you are feeling this, you are not alone. It's normal for you to feel this way. It's hard. It's not fun.

There's so much we don't know right now. But here's something I do know: We were made for this. 

I believe we are all here on earth at this time and in the place we are at for a reason. I believe we each have work to do and a unique way to make the world a better place. Some call this contribution and purpose a personal mission. I think everyone has one. And apparently, we were supposed to prepare for and/or fulfill our personal missions in The Time of Coronavirus.

So rather than wondering about all the unknowns, I'm trying to remind myself I was made for this. I've got what it takes to prepare for and fulfill my personal mission in life. While the world looks very different than I imagined it would and I have no idea when things will stabilize, I know this is how it was supposed to be.

I've heard this advice from numerous sources I trust and I'm trying to follow it;
Focus on the here and now.  
Do what needs doing right now. 
Watch for opportunities to prepare for or fulfill your personal mission, right now. 

Meditate. Meditate. Meditate

How's your anxiety today?  2nd day of sudden home schooling for thousands of families.  Even though this is what my family does all the time, it's still extra hard in the current atmosphere.  Everyone in my family feels it.  Nothing is normal.  We started our day late today and didn't do a lot of things on our "plan."  I'm totally ok with that.  That happens, often.  And it is not a problem.  It all works out in the long run.

The one thing I'm really holding on to and making sure we do every day, no matter what, is meditate. It REALLY makes a difference.  If you are a person of faith, as I am, I would include prayer in this category.  IMHO, prayer is a form of meditation and meditation can be a form of prayer.  But whatever your beliefs, slowing down, connecting with your body, shutting out the swirl of crazy outside you and breathing deep will enable you to keep going for another day with more clarity, less anxiety, and a sense of purpose.  We all need that now more than ever.

As I wrote in a previous post I like to use the Calm app.   My husband uses Calm and Headspace  (He's a bit of a junkie).  He likes them both for different reasons.

Guided meditations with an app are simple.  They can be as short as 1 minute though I definitely find greater benefits from something at least 10 minutes long.  My kids have been practicing meditation with me intermittently for over a year.  They aren't perfectly still or even quiet while we meditate but they keep getting better at it.  And it really does help.  A lot.