BREATHE EASY - IT IS ONLY A PANDEMIC

As I sit here pondering this newly adopted life in Florence Italy, one of my teacher's comments from the past echo in my ear: "Great expectations are a pain in the ass! They cause suffering." Isn't that the truth! I got over my delusional expectations last week while having a temper tantrum on my newly renovated wood floor. We are a few weeks ahead of you here in Italy so this post is from your Coronavirus future. Surrender is key! So is a disciplined daily routine with lots of movement and meditation. 

There is so much information out there. Who to trust? I notice I have many wise and mindful Facebook friends. Like myself, many of us have turned into investigative journalists, nobel prize winning authors and super bloggers. I am starting to believe that being an author or poet might be a next logical profession for many of us when this is all said and done. Maybe the lack of fresh air in my apartment is causing low grade brain clots. Not sure. I'll stick my head out the window for 5 minutes this afternoon before I return to my daily fix of global updates.

I ponder... What if the internet or Facebook did not exist? What would this life altering pandemic event look like? 

This Italian life surely isn't going as "planned". And yet there are many positive outcomes. My heart of compassion is more active and open than ever before. 

Being here during these times clearly demonstrates that caring for others is a key component to living in abundance. I am appreciating the Italian spirit of family, togetherness and composure under pressure. I am grateful to be here now. It was fascinating to see that the Canadian government sent an S.O.S. message on my cell phone calling me home. How did they know where I was? Who would not want to be home now? But this is what I call home now. I also have a Greek passport so I am a legal European citizen. This is where I chose to unravel, rest and study unconditional love! Now more than ever we need more LOVE! 

Does anybody have a road map for all of this? This new coronavirus world is being written in real time by all of us.

We have all had something taken away from us in the last few weeks. Plans have been altered, dreams have been crushed, money has been lost, loved ones are being kept at a distance. 

BREATHE - BE ALERT - BE SAFE

This is a time of chaos but more importantly transformation. We are all being called to live in a new way. A more conscious way. A more caring and sensitive way. To live with less than before. We need to pay attention to what is dying. 

I have witnessed teachers offering online courses to keep people connected. This is a generous and effective way to keep practicing. Thank You! 

But what about practicing spaciousness? What about resetting? Spending time alone? Studying who we are inside? Who are we without other people? Are we replacing our busy lives with a new kind of busy-ness or collective loneliness? 

Time to see the source of self.

Time to learn 

To Grow

Where the ride stops

We do not know! 

What if we finally learn something profound as a species as a result of this event? What if this is what it takes to finally live in harmony with nature and other countries? We have become separate from nature, from each other, from generously sharing resources, from organic creativity, from grace.

My intuition is that magic awaits us on the other side of this virus pandemic.

4 ways to stay sane: 

1. Don't take anything personally. This is impersonal. 

2. Don't be a victim. Be a victor! Or better yet be a hero! 

3. Be gentle, kind and compassionate with yourself (and others).

4. Practice Forgiveness. Why hold on to the past? Letting go of past hurts will strengthen your immunity.

So what do I know as a teacher and coach? Well I do know that I will not be teaching any workshops "in person" anytime soon.

Never Forget. It's all unknown. I don't know. Maybe some things are known like peanut butter chocolate gelato. How I miss thee!

The spiritual warrior thrives in the unknown and dies in the known. Meditate on this for awhile. 

As a movement teacher, I see movement everywhere...so we seem to have pressed the pause button on CHAOS. Your level of mindfulness inner and outer will determine if the dance is joyful, insightful or nightmarish. The amount of LOVE in your heart will determine the rhythm of that dance and your ability to surrender will keep you in the FLOW. 

EXHALE - GO EASY - EVERYTHING WILL BE OK

...eventually.

All your friends, family and lovers;

past, present and future are a mere thought away. 

The distance is not as far as you imagine it to be. 

Many blessings,

May all beings be well, happy and safe.