Growing in Place
"What I’ve noticed in the last 52 days of “Sheltering in Place” is this:
Our sheltering in place can also be an excellent opportunity for our “Growing in Place”.
For the first time in the last 10 years since I have been living in my current HOME, I noticed and observed my large Lace Bark Elm put forth its leaves this spring. I watched the transformation of the barren branches bud and the tiny leaves appear and grow into their full size. I have observed it every single day since it is right out my front window where I have been sitting at my computer from day to day, 52 days so far. I’ve also noticed the busy birds who are building their nests, flying into my windows at times, and making bird messes on my front porch. I watch with anticipation and eagerness as I monitor the mother dove sitting on her two eggs in her nest she built in the corner of my second-story window looking out my staircase.
There was more to notice as I sheltered in place as I watched the Crepe Myrtles leafing out, the Bermuda grass turning green, and the neighbors taking walks with their spouses, dogs, or their children. I’ve noticed the neighbor children riding their bikes through my circle drive and seeing the smiles on their faces as they race to see who can get there first, wherever there may be.
No school, they are also sheltering in place, at home with their caregivers. All the while sitting at my desk in front of my computer, completing my work while being “At HOME” I have taken the brief moments and noticed those happenings, just noticing all of those things I have missed noticing before this year, and it has made an impact on me. Observing the changing of the seasons, from winter to spring, created feelings of gratefulness for the new life spring brings. Hopefulness abounds in spring. In the midst of Sheltering in Place, I have noticed there is still beauty and consistency in the middle of uncertainty.
In the midst of the visible physical changes of spring I have noticed in the last 52 days, I have also noticed myself experiencing invisible internal changes as well.
I’ve noticed that not only was I physically “Sheltering in Place”, but I was mentally “Growing in Place”.
I was able to notice more of my thoughts, my feelings, and my body sensations.
I was growing in an awareness of what was happening within me.
I was becoming more at home within myself. I felt a sense of rest, peace, and connection to me.
I noticed that I was more aware of breathing more deeply, taking in the beauty of spring, and feeling joy.
I also allowed myself to notice my deep sadness about the physical disconnectedness from my grandchildren, my children, my coworkers, my friends, and my church friends. A sadness for the loss of life that the world was experiencing.
I noticed anger about not being able to do my job, in the manner in which I had previously been doing my job.
And of course, fear, I noticed some fear about the uncertainty of what life will look like tomorrow, I noticed it in my body, in my chest, my arms, my core self. Tightness in my neck and shoulder muscles was evident when I paid attention.
I imagine you have been feeling some of those same emotions too. When did you feel those emotions were you paying attention? Were you At Home? Home within yourself I mean. It takes practice to become mindful of our thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. If you were aware of your emotions, were you compassionate to yourself when you felt all of those emotions, or did your critical self show up and fuss at you for feeling angry, sad, or afraid, or for not taking advantage of your time at home? Were you complaining to yourself about not eating healthy, not exercising enough, or not doing enough to help those impacted by the COVID -19 virus?
Many of us have lost our jobs due to the virus and it was not due to our negligence, but clearly due to the “Sheltering in Place” that our country has been mandated to observe. This loss is significant for each of us financially and emotionally. How has this crisis impacted you? Has it been difficult for you to be at home within yourself, to connect with yourself, and really love and nurture yourself? For many of us, if we experienced living in a dysfunctional family unit in childhood, present times of stress can automatically arouse the same fears we experienced in childhood. If these last 52 days have been a difficult time for you, you are not alone. Let’s stop for a moment and ask ourselves how can we experience “Growing in Place” in the middle of this difficult time and not re-experience the fears of our childhood.
I would like to end this blog with some suggestions for helping each of us GROW IN PLACE and get in touch with and feel at home with ourselves.
Take Time to: “Notice what you are feeling each morning, check in with yourself, and take your emotional temperature.” Accept with non-judgmentalism whatever those feelings are.
Take Time to: “Stop and pause and identify what things you currently have to be grateful for at this time.” Even if it is “I am alive.” Be grateful, we are glad you are alive.
Take Time to: “Notice what your body is telling you when you feel your emotions.” i.e. I need to feel safe, I need to feel loved, I need to slow down my breathing, I need to affirm myself, I need to eat…” AND Do something about whatever you need, ACT upon your needs.
Take Time to: “Reach out and connect, even if is by phone or a virtual meeting, and talk about your concerns.” Make that connection.
Take Time to: “Practice being at home with yourself, accepting of yourself, and connecting with yourself and your higher power.”
Become mindfully aware, each day, looking inside of yourself, to see what you are thinking, what you are feeling, and how you want to behave. It takes practice to be present, for yourself, and for others. “Growing in Place”
Challenging times can be times of finding our greatest resources and strengths, it has been for me, it can be for you too.
Just notice….