May we be changed

Over the past week, I've been collecting pictures from social media that have...struck me. Wanted to save them all somewhere, and share them out as well. So here you go :-)

Let's start with our medical staff, a huge thank you to each and every one of you.

And then, moving on to the power of what can all do, individually:

Being sure to mind our minds:

And also be mindful of only taking what we need...

We should look to our leaders for love and support:

And, we can be thankful for unintended consequences. We are healing the Earth!

My gut is telling me it's going to take awhile to move beyond this, but we will, and we will then rejoice in getting back to our daily rituals. But, may we be changed. May we take greater care of the Earth, and vote for leaders who will prioritize climate change. May we slow down. May we be more compassionate. May we be more forgiving and may we follow our instincts of love more often that not.

Check out my former years slicing here. Find me on Instagram here. And twitter, here.

Imagine

When this all ends, imagine:
The hugs!
The smiles!
The joyful reunions at actual (and not virtual) happy hours!
We'll shake hands without a second thought. And,
if we cough into the air, or sneeze on accident, it won't be so bad. And
the beaches will be open again, and
I won't have to store groceries on my counter for lack of space.
I'll travel to see my family, no questions asked, no worries to be had.
That my dating life will resume, in all it's splendor. (ha!)
I'll dance in class and do yoga in a room heated to 105 degrees.
No one in my life will be worried about this. No one will lose sleep over this.
I'll see my students every day again, and
look in their eyes, and
tell them face-to-face that they matter.
I'll see my colleagues again, and
our complaints about the daily grind will subside, because
we'll feel so lucky to be back.
Back to routine, and
the smiles, and
the hugs.

Check out my former years slicing here. Find me on Instagram here. And twitter, here.

The cough heard around the world

For Lent, I gave up meat, so I've been on a heavy salad rotation. Every week, I get enough produce and prep 5 salads at a time, and then have them for lunch each day. Yesterday I had my last one, and knew I had to run out to the grocery store, but thought best to wait until first thing in the morning. I was hoping for less people and more inventory.

My grocery store in on the north side of Chicago; we are land locked. The parking, where I usually park, is upstairs. Then, I get some extra steps in and take the huge staircase down to the main floor, which is where everything is.

As I was walking down the stairs, I was struck by how empty it is. Typically, on that upstairs level, there are a few people sitting at cafe tables and chairs - the grocery store workers, sometimes people who are learning about how to work for Instacart, sometimes just guests of the store. But today? Today all the chairs were stacked and tables, too, and there was plastic over them as not to be used.

Making my way down the stairs, in the barren desert that is Mariano's, I coughed. And I forgot all social cues, because I didn't even cough into my elbow.

At the bottom of the stairs, on a register right there, the woman turned around, with her hand covering a tissue that was covering her mouth, and just looked at me like, "Have you lost your damn mind?" Uggghhh. Unlike the schools, grocery stores won't close, and she has to be there to serve others. I felt terrible.

I was embarrassed, but even more so, feeling responsible for not doing my part to protect those in my community, sending germs out of my mouth and into the empty air all around me. 

In many ways I feel that I have been pretty responsible during these times. I have stayed home, except for the grocery store. I've been diligent about hand washing before and after coming in and out of my house. I have been connecting with my students on flip grid, and modeling calm, rather than panic, during these uncertain times. I've made a schedule for myself and have been exercising to keep my mental and emotional health strong, so I can be a model of that for others.

But that cough. That cough was a reminder again that we can always do more. You guys - it's not about us individually. It's not about me and my needs, but doing the things we can to protect those around us.

Hope everyone is staying home, unless a run out is absolutely necessary. Sending wishes of peace of mind, and good health your way, today, and every day.

Check out my former years slicing here. Find me on Instagram here. And twitter, here.

Today I learned...

1. Do the things you least want to do first thing. For me, that's exercise. Today I woke up and did yoga first thing, and it made all the difference.

2. If it's sunny and relatively nice out, get outside. Went for a long walk under the sun with a friend and it's something great to look forward to!

3. Avocado toast pairs well with red wine. (For dinner) : P

4. Get good sleep, always, but seems even more important now. Total darkness, on consistent sleep/wake schedule, and don't brag that, "I function well on three hours of sleep" since you'll be on teh verge of being unwell with that going on. Dr. Tanda Cook, the Naturopathic doctor I was listening to said that sleep is the one thing that can help all the other areas of health concerns improve. And it's free!

5. People are so good. This lovely friend who I know only briefly through my Arbonne tribe texted me, just to check in on me and it just really made me appreciate the goodness in people. (Thank you, Yamiek!) Then I forwarded that love on to a few other people to let them know I was thinking about them.

Check out my former years slicing here. Find me on Instagram here. And twitter, here.

I'll be the judge

If you were one of those 100s of people on a beach in Florida today,
I'm judging you.

If you are in quarantine at your house and posting funny cat videos
I'm judging you

If you are repeatedly out "running errands" 
I'm judging you.

If you are working out on facetime with me
I'm judging you

If you are hand-shaking people or standing too close
I'm judging you.

If you create a schedule for yourself so you can set more purpose to your day
I'm judging you
(katie, I'm making myself one!)

If you are complaining that you can't go to the gym/restaurant/library
I'm judging you

If you're binging a show on Netflix or reading a great book at home
I'm judging you

If you are checking in on Facebook from your flight to spring break
I'm judging you 

If you are some of my movement people (dancers, yogis) and you're posting workouts online
I'm judging you

If you think what's going on / is coming is a bunch of malarky
I'm judging you

If you're postponing things you want to do and making sacrifices to protect those at risk
I'm judging you 💗

Check out my former years slicing here. Find me on Instagram here. And twitter, here.