This is week 7.  Most days I still can’t believe this is our new reality. A global health pandemic that’s halted the world. Would you ever have guessed something like this is even possible? I didn’t. On some level, there’s comfort in knowing everyone is going through the exact same thing, regardless of where they are in the world. From my dear friends in Australia to family in California, Canada, Ireland,  England, Jordan and Israel – we’re all in the same boat with all our feelings of uncertainty, fear, anxiety and hope for a better future. 
 
Thankfully everyone in my immediate circle and even one circle beyond that is healthy. I’m so grateful for that. 
 
Years of spiritual work has taught me that everything truly does happen for a reason. No one likes to hear this (even me sometimes) but it’s true. The most profound awakenings transpire from the darkest moments, like the one we’re in now. In spite of the sadness, death, fear, uncertainty and financial hardship, heartwarming goodness is happening all around us. Acts of kindness and compassion are doled out generously within communities and outside of them. Families are spending more time together. Our planet is getting a reprieve from years of overuse and abuse. Blue skies are appearing in countries typically dense with pollution. The Venice Canals are clear enough for dolphins to swim through. Sea Turtles are laying eggs on clean beaches that are typically filled with garbage and debris. These are all good things. They’re reminders of the precious gifts we often overlook in this world. 
 
During hard days, I remind myself of the good things over and over again. Because even with this knowing, even with this awakened perspective, there are some hard days. And there are profound lessons for me in all of this. For someone like me who thrives on structure, even if it’s a flexible one, this new normal can be unnerving. There are days I feel overwhelmed and defeated. The housework alone is killing me. It’s never ending. And no matter how much I clean, wash dishes and do laundry or tidy up, I can’t seem to put a dent in any of it. Surrender is taking on a whole new meaning as I learn to accept what I can’t control and focus on where I want my energy to flow. 
 
I’m aware that my kids are watching and learning from me even when I don’t think they’re paying attention. How I deal with this difficult situation will have lasting impact on how my kids will deal with situations with similar triggers for negative feelings. I want them to understand fear and uncertainty and frustration and even defeat but I don’t want them paralyzed by negative feelings or thoughts. All emotions are part of our human experience. Denying any bits of that would be denying what’s necessary for our growth. I don’t want that for them. I want them to deal with life’s curveballs in a healthy way. It took me the better part of my thirties to learn the importance of surrender, keeping the faith and finding a way forward by pushing through. I wish for them a quicker path to this wisdom.  
 
So while I’m navigating a new normal with all its blessings, lessons, grief and uncertainty, I’m staying grounded by honoring the things I know for sure. There’s a greater, wiser, all knowing God (Universe) watching over all of us. Gratitude does change a bad day into a better day. And doing one thing a day that brings me true joy lifts my spirits and that raises my vibration and allows me to hear God’s whispers during my prayers. 
 
We all have ten minutes in our day for self check-ins. We gladly check-in on everyone we love. Include yourself on that list. It’s important. And do one thing a day that makes you smile. I love sunsets and sunrises. I watch at least one of them every single day. Walks in the forest by our house. Listening to music. A delicious glass of wine. FaceTime with a friend. The beach. I find a way to do one thing a day that makes me feel happy. Find the thing that makes you happy and commit to doing something for you every day. We’ve got this.
 

Photo by Joe Ciciarelli on Unsplash

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