Weekly Reflections
What Would I Keep?
By Kirsten Murphy - Teacher, Glowmundo Teacher Coach
As this pandemic continues, plans for the summer are canceled or changed, schools are discussing whether or not to re-open in the fall, different mandates and safety rules are everywhere and nothing seems certain anymore.
Until there is a vaccine or cure, like it or not, this virus is part of our lives and things could be this way for a while. Before I let these thoughts deliver me into depression, I instead try to change my mindset: What good has come out of this time at home, out of this world-changing event we are now experiencing? This is what I choose to focus on as the cancellations and uncertainty pile up around me and at times there seems to be no end in sight.
The following is a list of things I want to keep as we move out of this pandemic and into a new level of consciousness, of being in the world with a greater appreciation than we had before. As we emerge once again, blinking in the sunlight to a new time where we no longer have to be afraid, what will you take with you? What did you learn? What will you keep?
This list is one I have been meditating on for a few weeks now. I encourage you to read it, let it inspire you, and then challenge yourself by asking: “What would I want to keep once this is all over?” And it will be. As my grandmother always said, “this too shall pass”.
But after it does, this is what I would keep:
I would keep slower mornings with tea, a long walk with the dog, and a meditation or yoga practice.
I would keep the new sense of community and solidarity I have built with my neighbors: they are the faces of my every day and we enjoy each other so much from driveways, over backyard fences and along our neighborhood sidewalks.
I would keep the sense of connection I have over Zoom or FaceTime with our friends and family all over the world. We have made it a priority to connect so much more these past 10 weeks and it has really helped to deepen the sense that we are truly “all in this together”.
I would keep the slower pace of a less packed, over-scheduled life. I have truly enjoyed not running from place to place, from thing to thing and from event to event. True stillness and peace can be found right in my backyard. I feel this even as I sit out here and write this, listening to the birds and my neighbor’s children laughing.
I would keep simple forms of entertainment that are free and that we can do right at home: playing board or card games, doing a puzzle, watching a funny movie in front of the fire, coloring, reading a good book.
I would keep taking the time to be still and listen each day: to the birds, to my neighbors going about their home lives, to the wind in the trees, to the rain on the roof during a thunderstorm.
I would keep the habits of baking and cooking that we have done so much more of. Trying to find healthy and seasonal things to make together and then baking something rich, sweet, and yummy that fills the whole house with those wonderful homemade smells.
I would keep naps. Naps are important.
I would keep journaling. Writing each day during this after my morning yoga and meditation practice has helped me navigate the ups and downs of all of my feelings throughout this time. As life moves forward once again, there will continue to be those waves and journaling helps me sort them out in a healthy way.
Finally, I would keep a strong sense of appreciation that I have developed for the things that I deeply miss during this time: listening and dancing to live music, laughing with friends at a restaurant, hopping in the car for a long road trip anywhere we want to go, hugging, hugging and more hugging, and smiles on faces without masks. I vow to never take these things for granted again.
Now it’s your turn. What would you keep?