Arlene Geres 
Coronavirus Madness
I put my foot right through the TV!
In my imagination, that is! My husband follows the news closely, and right now, there is a crazy obsession with the coronavirus. The need to sell news means that everything that comes along is reported at great urgency. It would appear from the way that they talk that this worse than Godzilla coming to devour the entire world! “I don’t want to hear it anymore!” I screamed at the TV. Leave us in peace to get sick and die if that is the divine plan, but until then, I am determined to live my life fully and joyfully.
However, this does not mean refusing to take sensible precautions.
We returned to Canada three weeks early, rather than taking a chance on my husband, who already has respiratory issues ending up in a Mexican hospital, and being denied returning to Canada while sick. I have a bad cough, so I am staying home, rather than risk spreading this nasty cough, or even worse yet, having people shun me because they think I am Typhoid Mary! I cancelled a big event that I have been planning for the last 6 months, I am coughing into the inside of my elbow, and washing my hands every 5 seconds. I wish I could say that I have been able to control the urge to not touch my face, but that’s like saying “don’t breathe.” The more I think about it, the itchier my face seems to get!
Other than that, I am determined to practice living, loving and laughing under all circumstances.
I believe that, as A Course in Miracles says, we always have a choice whether to live in fear or love. Our culture teaches us to live in fear, the bogeyman is always out to get us. Today, it is the coronavirus, tomorrow, the Martians may land! I reject this way of thinking by engaging in sound spiritual practices: I start my day by reading spiritually uplifting material. I then meditate on the message of the day, and pray to share love and laughter wherever I go.
Being spiritually protected, I set out into the world to spread God’s joy, peace and love wherever I can.
I usually take a run or walk the dog, and look for opportunities to greet people, or make an encouraging comment. This one practice alone has made a huge difference for many years, as previous to doing this, I felt isolated and alone. Now, I choose to see all people as connected to me spiritually, and have enjoyed some of the most wonderful conversations with complete strangers. I always leave these encounters feeling richly blessed.
Finally, I practice gratitude.
My life has not been easy, I have suffered many losses, but I recognize how very fortunate I am. I am in touch with my feelings, and have learned how to embrace the hard ones. In doing this, they move through me, and the joy returns. Grieving is like washing out a dirty glass. By taking the time to scrub it clean, I am then free to fill it with clean fresh water, and drink freely. I am extremely grateful for my husband, our lives both here in Canada and Mexico, our little dog, and wonderful friends whom we love, and feel very loved by.
How do you practice living, loving and laughing?
Write a comment in the space below. I would love to hear your thoughts.
