You Have a Choice

“Always choose love over fear.”
 - A.D. Posey

"This too shall pass."
​ - Persian Adage

At my behest, Peter has been out over the last several days, stocking up our food supplies and paper goods, and yes, toilet paper! To be fair, we were also preparing for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner with a few, close friends and family. To supply us, he has patiently and not so patiently waited in long lines in store after store, amidst others doing the same thing because DeSoto and the Kansas City area has caught the virus, the virus of fear.

There is a glut of information on the internet for how to protect ourselves from the Corona virus, but how do we protect ourselves from the hidden one, the one that is arguably the more contagious and devastating infection – fear?

​At the heart of the journey of spiritual and personal development is a choice. Each of us must decide if we want to live with love or live with fear. When we decide that we have had enough of living in fear and choose love, then we turn to gathering the tools that will aid us on our journey from fear into love.

The journey we are on individually at this time is no different, we have the same choice. Each of us must decide, “Do I choose love or fear?”

If you decide to choose to respond with love rather than fear here are some ideas to support you.

- It does make sense to prepare, to supply yourself with what you will need for the next several weeks. This does not mean overbuying. It means buying what you would normally use over the next little while. It makes sense to do this because then you can let go of worrying about it. Once stocked you can let go of concern about having what you need, knowing that you do.

- The antidote to isolation and separation is connection and community. Reach out. Get involved in positively focused on-line groups, prayer circles and classes. Choose ones that uplift and give you a feeling of connection. Get on the phone and connect with those you love.

- Place your attention on the good stuff that is happening and make that your focus. Look around you, there is so much good going on, people reaching out, businesses supporting their employees, communities helping. People and businesses coming together to support each other. Here are just a few examples -

We joined Nextdoor Neighbor, a local website for community connection and information. On it I found some uplifting messages.

“If anyone is unable to get out of their house and needs food, water, supplies, etc., please let me or another neighbor know ♥️ Even if we are all being distanced from one another, don't feel alone and know you're part of a community and we are here to help!!” And in response – “We would also love to help if anyone around needs anything. We are somewhat new to the area and haven't met many neighbors yet, but please reach out and we can try to do what we can. :)”

On the town of DeSoto, KS website was this supportive message. - “Understanding that some residents may face financial difficulties arising from COVID-19 related closings, De Soto is suspending disconnections and late payment fees until further notice. This applies to all City water, sewer, and refuse accounts.”

Local stores like REI Coop are offering support to their employees like this - “We have modified our paid time off policies to ensure that our employees—including hourly retail employees—who miss work due to illness or to care for sick family members do not suffer loss of income or other benefits.” A number of big stores are implementing similar policies.

-Get out into nature. Go out to the woods and less frequented natural areas. Plan to go with a friend if possible. Get out into your yard and your garden. Listen to the caroling songs of the birds celebrating spring’s arrival. Feel the wind caress your cheeks. Watch the sky as fluffy, white clouds form intriguing shapes. Smell the fresh scent of daffodils popping their yellow and white heads out of the ground. It is a beautiful Spring, allow yourself to enjoy and appreciate it.

- Remember to laugh. Laughter is a great immune booster, physically and energetically. Humor lifts us at a time when it is badly needed. So, for your chuckling pleasure here’s…

“QUARANTINE DIARY: Day 1 – I have stocked up on enough non-perishable food and supplies to last me for months, maybe years, so that I can remain in isolation for as long as it takes to see out this pandemic."
"Day 1, 45 minutes later – I am in the supermarket because I wanted a Twix bar.”

I'm not sure what's so funny about this one, it looks like every day to me. Maybe you can figure it out. 😉

​We can serve the world at this time. Together let’s keep the light shining, my dear friends.  

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash