I’m feeling all of you right now….. all the mamas and papas.
Feeling everyone who is struggling to keep juggling all their ‘balls’ up in the air.
Even though the world has stopped, Life continues.
Before ‘Rona, these “balls” were known as CEO of your own business, Mother, night shift manager at a fast-food chain, security officer at the local hospital/bank/post office, Father, caretaker to your elderly parents, chef, full-time shuttle driver to your kids’ after school activities, assisting with homework, Spouse, housekeeper, gardener, handyman.... <endless list>
Maybe you were already struggling with the balls were juggling before all of this began.
And then the Universe the added more into the mix: balls known as full time educator, 24/7 care of your children, all-our-meals-are-at-home what’s-for-dinner chef, everyone at the house together all the time, both parents trying to work from home....
Maybe you lost your income due to the closures. Maybe you’re not sure how you’ll continue to pay the bills, keep the roof over your head, food in your bellies, lights on, health insurance paid for, necessary medications refilled....
Maybe your work has actually picked up and you are now busier than ever at the same time your responsibilities at home have changed.
Maybe you are a single parent and provider.
Maybe you have a partner that cannot help you bear this new load.
Maybe you have a supportive partnership and its still too much for you to bear.
Maybe you employ 50 people and you don’t know how you’re going to continue to pay them or the rent of your establishment.
Maybe you are a police officer/EMT/firefighter/banker/nurse/RT/OT/PT/physician/EVS or one of the other many roles that are called to continue to go into work during all of this. Your kids are now at home 24/7 but your employment depends on your ability to continue to show up to work.
Maybe you are the parent/spouse/sibling/daughter of someone with a compromised immune system and you live in fear of losing them to this virus.
Maybe your loved one was already really sick, fighting for their life before all this began.
Maybe you’ve lost someone you hold dear to you in the last two weeks and you haven’t been given the opportunity to grieve and be supported by community in a way you would have before all this began.
It is overwhelming. I know. I see you.
Take a breath.
Take another, really slow and deep.
This next part is important:
Know is okay to crumble under the weight of it all.
It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling.
Take another breath.
Know that you are capable of weathering all storms. ALL STORMS.
This will pass. I repeat, THIS WILL PASS. Everything here is impermanent.
You will rise through the ashes of this fire a stronger, more authentic version of yourself.
The fire only destroys that which needs to change.
Whenever you are doubting your capacity, I want you to reach out to me.
I see the brilliant, indestructible Being that you are.
I am here to remind you of your greatness.
While we are all isolated in our separate households, remember we are all in this together.
My point in writing all of this out is while our experiences are unique to us, there is a common thread arising: all of our lives are being impacted by this event. Every single soul here on the planet has been impacted by this experience.
Remind yourself of all the things in this moment that you have to be grateful for. Reach out to your dearest friend and remind them of their greatness. We rise together. No one is alone in this. We are here to support and encourage each other. You’ve got me. And, I’ve got you.