Hi Friends. How ya doin’?
I know it’s hard right now. We have to use all our skills to manage what is new and strange for us.
I want you to know that I’m here and I’ll stay available for virtual sessions during this challenging time. All sessions will be virtual until the CDC says it’s safe to meet in person again.
I’ll keep reaching out, but just a head’s up that my virtual office site is:
https://doxy.me/theopenheartspace
In the meantime, I want to invite clients to get in touch when you need a 7 word pick-me-up text. Reach out via text and tell me a sentence about what’s troubling you and I’ll send a haiku-like support statement. This isn’t for emergencies (for those call 774-HELP) but is just for a little extra support when you need it. You might get something back like:
Life can be hard. This will pass.
I know you’re getting inundated with Covid emails from everything from Papa John’s to the ACLU but I’ll add my two cents in with a few recommendations.
- Limit news exposure to a couple times a day (and not right before bed).
- Get outside every day.
- Recognize catastrophizing and interrupt your mind.
- Volunteer to help others.
- Practice gratitude (different from guilt-tripping yourself for being upset)
- Ingest fun, happy, sweet, supportive media.
- Learn something new.
- Be safe but interrupt obsessiveness (one 20 second hand-washing at a time).
- Calm your body (warm bath or shower, conscious breathing, silly cat videos, etc.)
- Remember–you do dangerous things every day (driving in a car) and don’t think twice. This is scary because it’s very different and new…not because it’s so much more dangerous than driving. Don’t fall into emotional reasoning–feeling afraid and then interpreting that as being in danger. If we take the correct precautions we are quite safe. It’s just all weird. We can handle this. Reach out for help if you need it.
- We all do so much and are so external all the time. This is an unwelcome opportunity to slow down. Work on being present–come back to your body and interrupt your mind’s tendency to go into the “What Ifs.” This is a spiritual practice. We will grow through this. You’re not alone.
Here’s a funny poem by Shel Silverstein about the What Ifs. (Don’t succumb to them!!!-
Whatif:Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!
And on a more serious note: here’s a Guided Meditation by Tara Brach:

Take good care. We’ll be okay.
—Rachel