I’m sure I’m not the only one struggling with the ramifications of all the ways the pandemic has turned my life upside down – and I’m one of the lucky ones. I’m healthy, I’m riding this out from the comfort of my own home, and even though I can’t see my friends in real life right now, I have a wonderful support system to help me through this tough time.
Despite all of these blessings, I still feel like the rug was pulled out from under me when everything shut down in March, with no end in sight. Yes, things are starting to reopen, but we won’t be returning to anything resembling what life was like before the pandemic for a very long time.
I don’t handle change well at the best of times, and I know I’m not alone in this, either. Even though my own life has shown me that things always change for the better, even when it doesn’t seem like it when I’m in the middle of upheaval, I still find it hard to keep the faith during times like these.
The full Rumi quote reads
Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come.
I think I’m going to have to pin this up somewhere where I can see it throughout the day, as a reminder that unless I learn to lean into this changed world and accept that a return to the exact way my old life has been likely won’t be possible, or at least not for a very long time, I’m going to feel anxious and sad and depressed.
It’s important to acknowledge negative emotions, and sometimes, having a meltdown can actually offer some benefits. It’s a release of pent up emotion, and you may feel clearer and lighter afterwards, But it’s also important to not lose hope, even when things seem at their most hopeless.
For me, the way to bring myself out of my darker moments is to focus on all the things I’m grateful for. And of course, spending time with Allegra is always guaranteed to make me feel better. Even just watching her sleep in a sun puddle restores my faith that right now, life is good. And that gives me hope that if things can be good in this present moment, they will get better, one moment at a time.
I so always enjoy your Sunday quotes. I am also one that doesn’t take to change well. Thankfully, this time I have had my backyard garden to help keep me busy and provide some fulfillment.
Life is spinning an spinning and all we can do is try to steady ourselves with positive, loving and caring thoughts that reverberate through out the world. Prayer is a great help and gives our minds,
hearts, spirits and bodies an ease that a power much larger than anything or anyone will take care of us. And yoga is a great relaxation of the body and mind and gives us peace. And last but not least we must not neglect at least 8 hours of sleep; I’m the one who needs that reminder. Take care everyone and thanks to everyone who has braved all of the front lines of all this spinning.
I looked Rumi up after you posted his quote. I just got the notice about Chair Yoga Zoom class tomorrow from our instructor, Heather Till. She included another quote from Rumi. This is the one she posted.
Your hand opens and closes and opens and closes.
If it were always a fist or always stretched open,
you would be paralyzed.
Your deepest presence is in every small contracting and expanding,
the two as beautifully balanced and coordinated
as bird wings.
-RUMI
Gayle
Beautiful, thank you for sharing, Gayle.
i just printed the picture of the cat with the quote by Rumi to hang up where I will see it often. That is very helpful. I too don’t handle change well, and probably not even as well as I used to before I retired 4 years ago as I used to have people I cared about around me every work day. Now, and even more so with the virus, I am alone a lot. I was thinking of the things I have to be grateful for the other day while driving to a store, and my 6 cats are at the top of my list of course. They are the center of my universe and I can’t begin to say how much I love them. I’m grateful too for my friends. I don’t have a lot of friends but those I have are very special to me. I actually don’t want or need many. I am grateful for my house with no mortgage any longer and my car with no payments and I’m grateful that I’m healthy. I basically have everything I need. I miss my Curves friends who I saw three times a week and I have no idea when that will start up again but I know it will at some point. I’m surrounded at home by my books that I love and i have a beautiful natural looking backyard I enjoy. Thank you for your beautiful and uplifting post, Ingrid, today and always. They are the first thing I read each morning.
Thank you for sharing your gratitude list, Nancy. We will get through this!
Thank you Ingrid. I love the quote & the wisdom that comes with it. I have learned with your guidance to live more fully in the moment. A precious gift. Those moments become precious memories. Give Allegra a kiss from our little Squirt
Thank you for being part of our community, Steph. I’m so glad my posts are helpful, especially now.
That is a beautiful quote and so appropriate for these times. I have a favorite quote about change: “No one but a baby likes a change!” Stay strong, stay safe and healthy.
That’s a great quote!
I really like that quote, and what you wrote about it. Thank you:) The changes due to the pandemic make it even more difficult to adapt to normal change. When I watch our cats soaking up a sunbeam it looks like they are in a kind of meditative calm. I think I will try that.
Thankyou for today’s lovely picture and quote in such challenging times xxx keep safe
I have a hard time with change too and this has been very hard on me. I haven’t ever been a very sociable person so I don’t have a lot of friends that I did things with, but I liked going out to eat and shopping. not being able to do those things has been hard. And now with all the violence going on, It’s even harder to feel safe doing things.
My husband and I are the “lucky” ones as what we do are considered essential. He works for a company that makes valves and pipe fittings used in medical research , oil and gas lines, etc. while I work as a cashier in a drugstore/grocery store so we aren’t isolated as you are.
There are things we have to do before we can work like have our temperature taken, wearing masks, and so on so we see firsthand all the changes that have happened.
Yes, in Ohio and other states, things are opening but there are so many changes with social distancing, I don’t go out after work is over.
Once I’m done for my day, I don’t want to wear a hot mask or gloves so I stay in.
I feel blessed as I do have a husband and 5 cats to keep me company while I feel so bad for the people who are alone who used to be able to visit with friends and family and now can’t.
Thank you to you and your husband for being on the frontlines of this pandemic, Sue.