“I am realistic – I expect miracles.” ― Wayne Dyer

I always believe in finding the good in everything.  Normally that means finding some redeeming quality in an ex-boyfriend or some lessons in a failed relationship.

Now I am trying to find the good in Coronavirus. What is good about something that forces us to halt our routines, that inspire fear and panic, that kills people and let’s not forget what it will do to people’s finances and to the whole economy in general? 

Nothing, you may say.  But still we have to believe in a light at the end of the tunnel.  Even though it now seems like a never ending tunnel.  It all will get much worst before there is any relief in sight.

At times such as this I remember something I heard in a Kabbalah class.  The instructor said: “After every tragedy there is a miracle”.  He didn’t say after “some” tragedy, he said after “every” tragedy.  He added: “The bigger the tragedy, the bigger the miracle”.

I believe in that.  There are hidden miracles here too.  

“Miracles are like pimples, because once you start looking for them you find more than you ever dreamed you’d see.” ― Lemony Snicket, The Lump of Coal

Tragedies can be wake-up calls and force change.  This virus is forcing us to hit pause on our lives.  It is time for reflection and change, instead of fear and complaining.

It is time to have less arrogance and egoism and more humility and humanity.  Life is fragile.   To this virus we are all the same, all of flesh and bone, all vulnerable. We are not better than our Chinese or Italian friends.  We are united in fragility, fear and uncertainty.

We human beings don’t like changes.  If left to our own devices we would never change, so life is forcing us.  We are forced to stop and regroup.  

Is everything that we are doing out of sheer habit really necessary?  Do we need the latest gadget?  Do we need a brand new car?  Do we really need a 1K bag or pair of shoes?  Can we live with less?

“You are in prison. If you wish to get out of prison, the first thing you must do is realize that you are in prison. If you think you are free, you can’t escape.” ― G.I. Gurdjieff

Let’s tap into our inner strength.  We are fragile, but we don’t have to feel like victims.  We can tap into our inner strength for that extra support.  We are all stronger than we think. Even if you are not spiritual try to give it a chance.

I become stronger and empowered when:

• I smile and have a positive outlook. I believe that the future will be bright. This too shall pass.
• I pray and meditate (mostly pray).  I will, once again, give meditation a try.
• I am grateful.  I make a mental list of all I am grateful for, big and small.
• I help others.  I try to make someone else’s life or just a day better.
• I embrace fear.  I analyze and dissect the situation. I take small bites of it and make it my ally.  When fear is my friend it is no longer unknown and scary, it becomes a weapon.
• I am active.  I exercise, take a walk, I clean my apartment, I move my body. When I am doing, I am building strength.
• I believe in something bigger than myself.  The belief I have in God, a Superior Being, the Universe, that resides within myself empowers me.  I believe that no matter what I will be okay, we will be okay, because there is a God guiding and protecting us.

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Let’s reflect on our life and goals.  It is a good time to reflect on the direction our life is going.  Some questions I am asking myself: (and answers)

• Am I leading the life I want to lead? 
  • Not really.  Works is beyond stressful.  It is about time I take steps towards changing that.
• When this is over will I go back to being exactly the same person, doing the same thing day in and day out?
  • I hope not.  I hope to slow down and be less robotic. I want more meaning.
• Will I continue spending money on the same things?
  • I need to re-think my finances.  It is okay to spend money on things that will enrich my life.
• Will I spend time with the same people?
  • I plan on reaching out to some long lost faces.  I also plan on making new friends.  There are some people that I am happily leaving behind.
• Will I have more experiences and make more memories?
  • Absolutely!!! I am not sure what that is going to look like but I am going to make it happen.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” ― Rumi

Please remember the following:

• More gratitude, less complaining.  Perhaps we have been taking too many things for granted.  We take our health, our bodies, our family, friends, jobs, money, freedom, all for granted.  
• More caution, less fear.  Let’s be cautious.  Be prepared and follow the guidelines, but lets not let fear paralyze us.  Let’s act in a way that we help ourselves and others.
• Alone, not Lonely.  Even though we have to practice social distancing physically, it doesn’t mean that we cannot connect with others.  We can call, text, email, video call, etc.  No reason to feel alone and not reach out.  Try to think of the elderly or not so elderly people that you know that would love to hear your voice, or just any voice.
• Not in control but not out of control.  We are not in control of the situation but still we can control out actions and reactions.  We don’t have to act out of control.  We can still practice kindness towards others.
• Stock up, but don’t be greedy.  Let’s buy only what we need. Let’s be considerate of others. Can you share some of what you have? 

At the end of the day we still don’t know all that is going to happen.  This is a world crisis, not just NY, not just US.  I hope that there will be miracles flourishing all over the place. 

I read that people can now hear birds sing in Wuhan, and that canals in Venice are so clean that fishes can now be seen. I am not sure it is true, but I know that we humans are constantly altering and destroying all around us.  We pollute.  We pollute cities, streets, rivers, minds, our bodies.  It is a good time to pause, breath and do better.  We can do much better.

More kindness and grace! Be the miracle!

“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” ― Maya Angelou