Taking some action on our own behalf to deeply address some of our needs can soothe us in many areas of our well- being.

Comfort without platitudes, trust in a time of uncertainty, peace in a time of turmoil, inspiration in a time of despair, calm in a time of fear. These are the things that are called for. Hope is what is called for. Is it possible that we can find all these things inside of ourselves despite the challenges we are facing right now? I believe it is possible and here are some thoughts to inspire that.

No one can give us what we do not have access to within ourselves.

It is easy to be frightened, to be worried, angry, apathetic, irreverent.

Can we find in ourselves our own evolution? Stretch into poetry, art, service, love, forgiveness, expansion?

As we sit in our homes and binge on news and Netflix, could we grow? Could there be opportunity in this craziness, to grow as individuals, as a nation, as a world?

Could it be possible that in the heart of our own self-isolation, humanity can expand its ability to connect? To ourselves, and to each other?

Could there be opportunity in this craziness, to grow as individuals, as a nation, as a world?

If you dig deeply enough on the internet you can find it. Moving examples of how people have figured out how to come together without being in the same room, the same home, the same country.

I myself have felt an intensity of emotions like never before in relation to this virus sweeping our nation. The fear and uncertainty of how things will be, how they might change, has been pulsing poison into my mind.

I invite us all to look up from the screens. I invite us all to look outward, and to look inward. This is an opportunity like no other before now to know ourselves, to learn about what best expresses our self-care needs. Only our own hearts and minds contain what is needed to comfort us, to nourish the heart of who we are, the heart of who we want to be and to become.

Only our own hearts and minds contain what is needed to comfort us.

Following I have divided prompts into cateories: Soul feeding activities/pursuits, emotional needs, physical needs, mental needs. You can use these to explore, clarify and fulfill your self-care needs in each area.

Some of the same things are true as they always have been:

Eat healthy

Get adequate sleep

Find a routine that works for you

Get outside if you can

Get exercise

Communicate with others.

But let me add to the list:

Don’t watch too much news- especially right before sleep

Make some of your phone calls face/video calls if you can

Give yourself permission to NOT be in constant contact with others if it is wearing you down.

Nurture yourself

Take time for soul nurturing pursuits

Identify what activities/pursuits truely feed your soul

Make time for these pursuits in your day to day life

Feed your creativity and creative expression

Listen to and make music, art, etc.

Share it with others

Notice what you need emotionally

Name it

Honor it

Express/share it

Get Support

Notice what you need physically

What foods

What movements

What comforts might bring you into your body/senses

Honor your body’s needs

Notice what brings you comfort mentally

How can you turn OFF those spinning thoughts or

Turn ON your brain from a media trance?

Get engaged with something- a conversation, a guided meditation, a creative endeavor, breathwork, learning something.

Our experiences, our personal expansion, enhances the world, our growth, grows the world.

As we learn from and help ourselves, mind, body and soul, we gain capacity to help others.

Our experiences, our personal expansion, enhances the world, our growth, grows the world. These ripples matter. Let this moment, these words, be a drop. Let the ripple inspire changes that are good. Motion that expands outward.

Everything can be opportunity. Even this. Nurture yourself, grow, become the more that you want to be. Anything is still possible. Get up, engage, choose hope.