- Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- National Mental Health Awareness Month
- Small Business Week – 1st Week of May
- National Garden Meditation Day
- Happy Mother’s Day – May 9th!
I think back on life pre-COVID, alongside the idea of re-emerging from the changes because of COVID, and I realize there’s a similar feeling of shock to my system. The first shock when everything closed down was surreal, like we were all acting out the scenes from a sci-fi movie. And now that we’re moving closer and closer to reopening in the way we’ve been hoping for, I notice hesitation. It’s like, we all got so good at keeping our distance that the idea of social “nearing” sounds risky! I’ve heard from others that there’s a similar feeling of living in the unknown. Because of how long this has gone on, we all made certain adjustments to our everyday life and our everyday psychology. And this wasn’t the few weeks or months that we thought would be the maximum time for this movie-like experiment, it’s been over a year!
I think about how we tend to not like change. So even though we would never have chosen to live this masked, COVID lifestyle in our lifetime, all of the sudden it’s nearly strange to imagine NOT living this way. We’re a bit unique in the Bay Area since many parts of the country and world have eased the restrictions or never even upheld them. For so many people, breaking from our usual social interactions has been mentally debilitating and certainly a return to seeing full faces and mouths moving will be wonderful! And as much as many of us want to imagine being back at packed stadiums, theaters, restaurants and bars, there are also some who are pretty content with the new normal. For some of us, a certain kind of simplification and ease with life has won over the feeling of always having to be where the action is. We were released from FOMO (fear of missing out) and living in WAMO! (we’re all missing out). I’m feeling this and in some part, maybe getting older adds to this notion. I remember saying even during pre-COVID days that as I get older, I feel less need to be in a bustling, metropolitan city and more priority on being part of a like-minded and supportive community. San Francisco has clearly been shifting over these months and it will be very, very interesting to see how the city and Bay Area emerge from COVID.
We often do better as a race when we are amongst a community. Unless one chooses to go on a solo pilgrimage or personal journey, living in community is helpful for our well-being. We are there to support one another and be of service to one another. When I look over all the different observances and holidays, all the reminders and offerings, it’s so clear that we need to pause and recognize all that happens in our own life, our own hearts and minds as well as what happens in those of others around us. I sense that we do better and feel better when we’re part of the practice and service that is helping others do better. For whatever reason, some of us have certain privileges and some of us lack them. Do we actually want to perpetuate the huge disparity that we’ve created or would our heart of hearts want to see this reach a more equal place? Do we only feel safe when the dividing line is higher around ourselves? Could our choices actually be causing harm to others and we’re living with unaddressed, invisible problems.
For this reason and because mental health has been a significant reference for me in my immediate family, it’s ever more important to educate ourselves on the effects of those struggling or managing mental health challenges. Everyday, life provides plenty of situations to challenge us and to some extent, most of us can manage the challenges. But sometimes, they’re more than we have tools or mental capacity to manage. I’ve witnessed this in my family and certainly recognize how huge of an impact the pandemics (COVID, racism, gun violence, police brutality) have shaken us differently due to the quieting down of our usual distractions. It was a year of focusing on the basics. And for some, that wasn’t an easy pill to swallow. For many people, the reality of their situations became more clear than ever. What was manageable, became unmanageable. What was unmanageable, stopped and allowed us to truly consider our options. And then, for some of us, ideas on how to keep going and even going stronger than before became possible and that can lead to it’s own set of issues!
Does life create a rhythm of existence or do we each decide what that is? Nature has a natural movement and sense of time, and we’ve imposed our best understanding of it and live accordingly. When I took a 2-month trip to India in 2007, it was one of the most humbling experiences and a serious pause in my life’s usual rhythm. I was learning about a different way of living, a slowing down since I wasn’t working and was able to investigate this rich culture and explore the roots of yoga. Ever since choosing to be an entrepreneur, my pace has shifted into high gear. It’s like I recognize everything that I do as a useful part of the next thing that I do and I want to do it all. But, I am learning about limits. I’ve had to learn this a few times in life through injury while dancing, to burn out from the events world, to working non-stop during COVID! I’m realizing that I was thinking life would create a natural pause for me with COVID by teaching less and being home more. But somehow, I’m teaching more and it’s been the busiest time ever. On one hand, I’m so incredibly grateful, while on the other I’m also grateful! Lessons for me to learn more and more about taking care of this one body and this one life. I’m grateful to be surviving and even thriving as a small business and appreciate the ability to keep doing what I love. HUGE thank you to all of my clients and students!!!! But I will say, a week or so off for rest is coming for me and even a mini staycation will be amazing!
When we know others are suffering, there is a certain instinctual response. Some will say that a mother understands this better than anyone else. That empathy and wish to protect is a beautiful part of our human experience. And, being that we’re such a dynamic being, we also have a choice with our reaction. We can certainly act like we don’t know there is suffering, be aware and not care so much, be aware and cause more harm, or be aware and do something about it. All over the world, not a day goes by where there isn’t suffering. It could be overwhelming to sort out what actions to take and then we may choose to do nothing and stay in our trance.
There is a beautiful art of giving that transforms both the giver and the receiver. We can pour some out of one tea cup to fill another and enjoy sharing a cup of tea. I believe in a world where we are here to learn more and more about taking care of one another. I’ve grown up in a world that said to fight for myself and welcome material and financial abundance. Now that I understand what that means, I want to keep learning how to live in a world to fight for others and promote that health is our greatest wealth. I don’t think it’s too hard to do, in fact it’s a simple concept being advocated year after year after year. But without a serious pause to deeply consider why this would be useful, it may never happen. And we’ve had a pause for sure, and my hope is that there is a lasting effect to any kindness we’ve come to allow.
It’s ok to think small and still do something big. Giving a $5 donation may seem small from one person, but if 100 people do that, all of the sudden that $5 turns in $500 and many people feel good about taking action and being of service. That wave of good, is good. I believe it inspires more waves of good action and can help bring balance to all the not so good happening in our world. We’ve seen so much harm in Black lives, Asian lives, Palestinian lives and confusion with wanting to figure out who to blame. How many communities do we have to see suffer before it comes back to our own? So often, that’s what it takes before we get up and do something. We keep saying enough is enough but then more happens.
Do just enough to take care of the one self that’s been granted to each and every one of us, and then focus energy towards Peace for the ones who I’d say we are not just wanting to, but obligated to recognize. Black Lives Matter. Trans Lives Matter. Asian Lives Matter. It’s not that hard to say it, but it takes practice living it. Try some time in nature and feel the spirit of Mother Nature. It’s that pause in our own life’s rhythm that allows the universal heart and mind to access this relationship with open space. Let’s remember this as a useful way to live, to understand the flow of existence and help bring ease to those we can reach.
May the Divine Mother hold us in her loving arms as we move through our troubled days. Only she knows for certain that it will get better and that we will grow and learn from it, or be given further tests until we fully awaken to our highest and best self of service. I know that my mother has been through a lot to make space for the way I needed to find my way in the world. I’m so thankful for that and also grateful to live with the knowingness that a Divine Mother is guiding me and every one of us.
