Return to Normal?

So, it seems the world or at least our part of the world is returning to what it calls a "New Normal".  So many people are thrilled to be able to go out in the world without restrictions, to be able to toss the masks to the side and feel free.  The restrictions are all being lifted just in time to enjoy the hazy days of summer.  The times for fun gatherings with friends and family at cookouts, celebrations as the Class of 2021 get to celebrate actual graduation ceremonies; happy brides and grooms anticipating weddings, all of this is wonderful news.

For so many though it's happy news that comes with an underlying sense of fear.  People are still anxious.  People have become accustomed to the way of life of the past year and are living in a place of fear to step out into an unrestricted society, so it is for the rest of us to offer them patience and compassion as they take whatever time they need to get used to it or not.  If they choose to wear a mask forever and continue to practice social distancing, that is their freedom and right to do so.

For so many others, myself included, it has made them rethink what exactly they are willing to return to.  So may people are rethinking what they are willing to once again call normal.  Many are opting out of the rat race life.  The chaos of the never ending to-do list.  Always on-the-go and never taken time to enjoy life.  Working so hard to have the big house and nice car and fancy clothes and toys for the kids, but not having time to enjoy the backyard or drive in the car other than to and from work and most importantly spend time playing and hanging out with the children.

I completely enjoyed the throw back to the easier pace of life.  The way it was before being busy became a badge of honor.  The time I spent last summer and fall in my yard reconnecting with nature and those closest to me will be a time I will be grateful for.  That for me will be the gift I will take from the mess that was 2020.  

This new normal comes with choices.  So if it gives me the slightest feeling of overwhelm or feeling too busy to enjoy my own life and down time; then that's going to be a "No" for me.

Every person has to create their own way in this life.  I believe if you make space to just enjoy your life at a pace that FEELS right for you, everything else really does fall into place; and then there is no need to run around feeling super busy because things get done and there just IS time for what you want to do.  The Universe responds to our vibration, so if we are at peace and relaxed then that is what will be presented to us.  If we are running around overwhelmed and frantic; then the Universe will continue to give us things to be overwhelmed and frantic about.

 

Sending you all much Love as you navigate your normal

Melanie

Books

Here are some books I've enjoyed.  I am an avid reader, so I could go on pages and pages.  I'm sure I will add more at some point 

The Alchemist  - Paulo Coelho

The Celestine Prophecy - James Redfield

The Sophia Code - Kaia Ra

The Surrender Experiment - Michael A Singer 

The Universe Has Your Back - Gabrielle Bernstein

Miracles Now - Gabrielle Bernstein

Girl Stop Apologizing - Rachel Hollis

Becoming Supernatural - Dr. Joe Dispenza

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself - Dr. Joe Dispenza

Your Psychic Pathway - Sonia Choquette

(Pretty Much anything Sonia Choquette)

The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts - Gary Chapmam

Know your value - Mika Brzezinski

Untamed - Glennon Doyle

The Four Agreements - don Miguel Ruiz

Women Who Run With Wolves - Clarissa Pinkola Estes

It's Not Your Money - Tosha Silver

Mary Magdalene Revealed - Meggan Watterson

Ask and It Is Given - Esther Hicks & Jerry Hicks

The Dark Side of the Light Chasers - Debbie Ford

The 5 Second Rule - Mel Robbins

Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes

The Gifts of Imperfection - Brene' Brown

The Power of Vulnerability -  Brene' Brown

(All books Brene' Brown)

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life - Dr. Wayne Dyer

(All things/Books Dr. Dyer.  I credit him with so much in my life)

Codependent No More - Melody Beattie

Presence over Hope

It has been over two months since we started a Social Distancing lock down in my part of the world.  Just now our Governor has announced phase 1 to begin opening businesses again.  I have spent so much time helping some around me to not go down the Rabbit Hole, that I found myself beginning to struggle with everything that was going on. 

Like so many others across the Country we have family members that were due to graduate. Class of 2020. I held out hope that it would all be over by Graduation time.  I see my niece who worked so hard throughout her high school career, got accepted to an amazing college be denied prom, senior activities and that dream of walking across the stage. I hate that I can't make it better for her.

I have friends that have lost loved ones to this horrible virus and have been denied proper goodbyes to their family member and we can't be there in person to support them. 

I have watched other friends and family members suffer complete burnout as they are front line health heroes and there is absolutely nothing I can do for them.

When I was numbing my brain with bad TV and internet scrolling while poking my head in the Rabbit Hole, I stumbled on a video posted by Nadia Bolz-Weber  In the video she talks about how she is also struggling and how she found looking forward to things may have been causing her to feel more anxious as news came of more cancellations. She talks about an interview she watched of a former POW who was asked how he got through it.  He said that the Optimists were the ones that had the hardest time.  They would say by Thanksgiving we will be free or by Christmas and each date came and went. They died from broken hearts.  He knew they would get out of there, but he didn't know when.  He just knew he had to focus on the moment in front of him.

Seeing this video helped to bring me back to present.  I had allowed myself to focus on everything and everyone else around me that it brought me out of the present moment.  I then turned my optimism up to Full Throttle to try and keep everyone else from diving head first down the Rabbit Hole that I didn't realize what I was actually doing to myself.

Hope and Optimism are wonderful to have; however they can be a double edged sword at times.  When we constantly focus on being hopeful or optimistic, then we miss out on the present.  Pandemic aside, we constantly compare our present state to that of the hopeful future. If we are already anxious, focusing on future events will only add to that and we miss out on some amazing things that are going on right in front of us.

We need to consciously ground ourselves in the now. Focusing on mindfulness and gratitude in daily life will help us become happier.  (ooh that cup of coffee! I kid, but it can be as simple as that)  In the times we are in right now, it is the little things we can focus on to find gratitude and happiness.

I'm grateful for the extra time I got to spend in my yard enjoying Gaia. I'm grateful that this time has forced me to slow down and truly appreciate those around me.

We are going to get through this.  We will resume to some type of Normal.  Know that you will persevere. Focus on today. What is new in your world today? Enjoy smiling eyes. Take time to breathe deep.  Accept help from others.  Reach out to your friends and family and offer help to them, especially your strong friend.  Your strong friend may not even know they need it.  As a strong friend I can tell you that sometimes all I need is a "Hey, how are you doing?" To make it all better. 💜

Namaste

Melanie

Uncharted Waters

As I write this, we are now several weeks into suggested self quarantine /social distancing.  In our State it has been suggested all non essential businesses close until May 4th, which will be approximately 7 weeks by that point.  I sit here and realize if I'm feeling all kinds of ways right now, I'm sure I can't be the only one.

We are in uncharted waters.  We have never in our time had to deal with a situation as dire as this.  Our officials are working out the kinks, our first responders and medical professionals, the heroes in this Pandemic have exhausted all of their safety equipment and soon personnel as they too are getting ill.  

Those of us at home are trying to figure out life with our new norm.  People working from home are trying to learn video conferencing while homeschooling children.  We are inundated with what used to be our outside life being made available online, for some causing sensory overload.

What most of us need to be doing right now is taking time to just be.  Take time to grieve. Some are grieving loss of loved ones, some are grieving loss of the way things were.  This pandemic has forever changed life as we knew it.  We do not know what life will bring at the end of this situation.  It is perfectly ok to take some time to grieve that and just be.  There is no need to rush to fill up every moment of at home life.  If you don't allow yourself to go through the emotions, fear and/ or anxiety that you may be feeling, you can weaken your immune system; this is the last thing you need to do at this time.  

Practice extreme self care right now.  If you need to sleep, then sleep.  If you need to go out for a walk, then go. (Just practice social distancing if you see people 6 ft distance) If you need to FaceTime or zoom/ skype a loved one, then do that.  Do a digital detox.  Do whatever you need to do for you right now or do nothing...  Just don't feel you need to fill the time just because.

For people who are sensitive to energies, rest may be called for.  You may need to cocoon at this time.  I myself had 4 days where all I did was sleep.  My body needed that time to cocoon and workout all the new energy on the planet and within me.  I allowed myself to take that time.  Normally I would push through and "get things done".  This time I knew that for whatever the reason, I needed to listen to my body.

I may be an eternal optimist or it may be internal knowing/ spidey senses, but I believe we will come out better than we were before.  I believe there is a silver lining.  Mother Gaia has been given the opportunity to heal herself as the planet is forced to quarantine and stop pollution.  I believe the world is going to have digital overload and long for the times when they can talk to people and it will once again boost human relationships.  I believe as the fear fades as people heal, that kindness will win out.  I believe with all my heart the planet is ready to embrace the elevation and expansion that has been in the works for years.

So do what you need to do for you right now.  There is no right or wrong way.  The only way is what helps you be honest with yourself. Honor your feelings and all the rest will fall into place.

Practice kindness to others when you have the chance. 

Stay safe tribe.

Namaste'

Melanie