Today did not feel like a day we could blog about typical topics we will cover, not with what is happening around us. Like many, we have good days and then tough days with everything that is going on in the world right now. Having had our lives already turned upside down due to the corona virus, there are so many heightened feelings already. Now we face yet another tragic senseless death at the hands of racism and those who foster it. So many emotions are stirred up, even ones you may not recognize in the moment, and having an outlet for a healthy dialogue is crucial. We encourage each of you to talk with someone about what is happening. Engage on some level, depending on your own comfort, as some of us still don't feel comfortable leaving our homes. We have a disabled child with medical needs, so we are still wary about engaging in social activities, but we can still talk about what is happening with our children, family, friends, etc. This is a time when we all need to have a voice and our kids need to hear that voice rising up.
We also need to remember to take care of ourselves and each other. Everyone is processing this differently, and stress can take a toll on our health and wellness on a very deep level. This a crucial time for practicing mindfulness. But what is mindfulness? There are many ways to define this, but our favorite is:
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn
We would like to stress the "non-judgmentally," as we cannot elicit change if we are not really listening to and hearing each other. It is a simple concept, but so vital to our well-being and growth. Please be kind and gentle to yourself and others, and maybe reach out to others to see how they are traversing this. Someone you know may need an outlet and support, but not be able to ask for it. Our thoughts are with all of you!
