“How your life feels is more important that how it looks.” – Think Smarter
How is everyone feeling today, readers? I am taking another temperature check. You’ve been a little quiet out there. How’s the force within you? It is pulsating or is it a tad weak? Whatever it is, it’s okay. Do what feels best.
Silence may be as variously shaded as speech. – Edith Wharton
I really enjoyed the above news story reported by the BBC. It turns out the Sumida Aquarium in Tokyo needed help with some interaction with its Garden Eels. Garden Eels know quite a bit about isolating, as they rarely ever leave the burrows, in the sand, that they live in. Isolation is their regular way of life. The Eels that live in the Sumida Aquarium were forgetting what humans looked like and were shyly staying buried in their burrows instead of peeking out. Their keepers were worried about them and they were having trouble monitoring the little eels’ health. Their solution to this problem? They set up iPads with cameras and asked people to come “look” at their garden eels, to keep them used to human faces and to human interaction. Watch the video. It’s strangely calming.
So, my little garden eels, how are you doing really? What “takes” have you gotten from all of this isolation? Are you starting to poke your heads out a little bit more? Are you feeling scared and wanting to stay buried in the comforts of your own burrows? Whatever you are feeling, it’s all okay. And it’s all going to be okay.
Good morning!
May the 4th be with you too!
This morning my temp is at a restful 98.6. After a very busy week last week, I have arrived at a place of balance and calm. I will be participating in a yin yoga class via Zoom in half an hour, so the peaceful vibes will continue.
I braved Costco last Friday. I’ve made do with what I was able to get from the local markets for many weeks, and I finally decided that as the panic has died down a bit I would allow myself to go there. Not only did they have everything I needed, but what a great system they had in place for social distancing and keeping everyone safe. Despite the warehouse image, Costco is a class act, demonstrating respect for both their customers and associates. I’m glad I made the trip. And I was blessed that the son of one of my good friends was directly behind me in line, so I got to hear all about his aborted semester abroad in Iceland. Poor kid was only there for a month before life was canceled. But he will be allowed to return once school is in session again. Talking with him was a treat for me, and reaffirmed that I was exactly where I was supposed to be in the moment.
Just as I typed that last sentence I had a revelation: wherever we are right now is exactly where we are supposed to be. I guess I can say that with conviction because I work from home, so my business has not been upended like so many others, and I feel safe in my space. I’m not worried about paying rent or feeding my family. Actually, this is the first time in two decades that I can say those words and believe them. I’m certainly not immune to financial disaster, but right now I don’t feel it pressing down upon me, and I am SO GRATEFUL. I can focus on the needs of others instead of myself and that is an awesome feeling. I am always at my best when I am in service to others, so I’m giving myself permission to shine right now, with the intention of bringing hope and joy to someone who needs it. Kind of like you with your daily blog. Keep up the great work.
Thank you, Kelly! You sound great! You are in perfect health and spreading it to others! I’ll take the healthy germs! Thank you for the Costco report. I’ve been thinking about making that trip, too. We haven’t been there since right before our quarantine happened and I miss it. I think it is time to brave it and I appreciate you braving it, first. I hope you stay in this wonderful peace of mind and in health and in safety and in comfort.