If history ever presented us with the opportunity to do some serious personal inventory, it is surely now. In fact, you may find yourself with quite a bit more time on your hands sans the limitless distractions of the normal hustle and bustle of life and work. (That is…unless you have kids at home!!!)

Personally, I don’t think this is a space in time to “hunker down” as we anxiously await the return to business as usual. Sure, I miss hugs and coffee shops and frivolous errand running just as much as you. However, I believe we can learn some invaluable lessons from this time if we let it teach us what it wants. Also, I’m not so sure returning to “normal” is where we are headed…I think it’s somewhere much better. It will hopefully include more intention and less trance, more gratitude and less impatience, more “we” and less “I.”

The invitation we are being presented with is quite simple: to wake up. Isn’t that what any crisis does? Nudge…or jerk us awake?

Well, I’m pretty sure Miss Corona has our full attention.

Now what?

Helplessness is incredibly hard to stomach. I want to help and yet I don’t feel like my help makes a dent. Even in my best effort, there is so much out of my control. That is…if we are looking “out there.”

One of the most loving and powerful things you and I can do to help shift this global health and economic crisis is to tend to our own garden. By this I mean, nurture, grow, and prune our lives in a way that adds to a greater, more beautiful collective human consciousness. In essence, if you take good care of you, practicing that which you want to grow and cutting back that which you want to weed out, you’re making a huge difference.

Why does this matter when so many are losing their jobs, fighting to put food on the table, on the frontlines of hospitals, and suffering crippling anxiety about the future?

It matters because what we believe about our situation has the power to shift everything. If this sounds esoteric and intangible, it’s not. A belief is just a thought you keep thinking, over and over again. We can practice our thoughts just like we can practice piano. A practice helps us improve anything over time.

It’s dig deep time right now, friend. As tempting as it is to numb out right now with food, wine, Netflix—you name it, (no shame!!!) we must balance our response to this history-making invitation. The invitation is to respond, not react. Sure, we can have fun in the process, too. It’s more about honoring our future selves—the beings we’re becoming.

How do we do this? NOT by reacting extremely, taking on every hobby, self-help book, and at-home exercise regime on the market.

We do this by believing what we want to create more of in our life and community. Belief has the power to shape your perception and change your reality.

What will you believe about yourself and this time right now? What thoughts will propel those beliefs? Are they thoughts that tend to your soul’s garden? Do they promote hope and possibility? Don’t worry about all of them…

Just pick two—two thoughts that will directly impact and grow the beliefs you want to have for yourself and your life right now. Practice thinking those thoughts, over and over, especially when fear floods in. It’s okay if they feel weird. Your brain probably isn’t used to them.

Here are my two thoughts. You can use them for now if you’re needing some inspiration:

1) I am fully supported by God, or Higher Power.

2) I am totally in control of what I want to create in my life.

3) (BONUS) I choose to create more love towards myself and those who are in need.

On that note, sending you a massive virtual hug right now.

Love & Gratitude,

Katie

P.S. Join me and best-selling author Ally Fallon Wednesday at 2pm as we go live on IG and discuss the writing process, Enneagram 4’s, and self-care!