Finding Calm

 Anxious times. Lots of things to upset our balance, equilibrium. Peace, too. Jangled nerves, jarring news, fear of the unknown.

2020 has been a year. Unpleasant surprises. It started innocently. Like most New Year’s we welcomed the new year and hoped for wonderful things. However, soon the weather turned nasty, and then a friend became ill. How ill we didn’t know, but it was in and out of emergency rooms and hospitals. Finally, it was a fall, broken hip, hospitalization, surgery, and failing. Death came in March. Alone and isolated because that was the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Well, COVID quarantining was a surprise. Life changing really. None of us had ever experienced anything like it, and so all-encompassing. Everyone heeded the warnings. The streets were empty. So too the stores and restaurants. We clamored to order groceries and household supplies on-line and arrange their delivery. Suddenly we were not going to church or to the many meetings and gatherings common to everyday life.

Zoom became a household word. Organizing the house became a duty followed every day – until it wasn’t. Now I really don’t care about the dust or smeared window!

Binge TV watching became a thing. Healthcare news conferences carried our interest for several weeks; then not. Cooking tips loomed once again as they had 40 years ago! Books and journals were rebirthed as life-interests.

Elections. Campaigns. Nasty social media taunts. Ugly American life right here in our midst. Racial unrests, police shootings, then rioting. Travel absent. Family gatherings unattended. Face masks everywhere. Even plastic bags to protect hands at the gas pump from viral contagion.

Everywhere were reminders of what was wrong, not right. Anxiety faded in and out. Until it was a constant companion.

What to do? Here are some tips:

1.     Think of past travels to quiet places; canyons; campgrounds, mountain vistas

2.    Think of calm lakes and sylvan spaces; birdsong present, breezes pushing wild grasses gently

3.    In bed before falling to sleep, think on your toes and travel slowly up your body. Feel each part and be grateful for it; even its aches and pain tics.

4.    Ponder a sleeping pet on your lap, or snuggled next to you in bed; feel their slow rhythmic breathing in utter secure relaxation.

5.    Count your blessings. Remind yourself of what is good in your life. Push the negative away from time to time

6.    Turn off the news, or at least limit its presence in your routines. Keep informed but make it brief

Feel better now? Practice doing this. Keep the peace coming. And, if it works for you, pray for that peace.

September 24, 2020