“Distance today will allow us to embrace tomorrow.”

“Distance today will allow us to embrace tomorrow.”

This was the subject line of an email I received from a wonderful ex-pat women’s group, Costa Women, I belong to here in Spain. It really struck a chord with me. I think this is how we all need to look at this time of social distancing in most places or lockdown as we are here in Spain. This isn’t a time to be selfish and think ‘well, I’m young, or I’m healthy, or even if I get it I’ll be okay.’ It is the risk of spreading it to people with compromised immune systems or elderly people. So, how about making this your mantra: “Distance today will allow us to embrace tomorrow.”

As we all walk through this unprecedented time alone but together remember to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health. It is great to stay informed via the news and social media but it is equally important to turn it off and take a break. I have had to do this several times and have found that it makes a huge difference.

I also got out a book that I love and has come in handy over the past 30 plus years. ‘14,000 Things to be Happy About’ by Barbara Ann Kipfer. As you can see it is well-loved. Today’s date 3/17 and here is page 317 to show you what it is like.

If you don’t have the book…why not start making your own list of things that make you happy.

I will leave you with this wonderful quote.

“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”

– Kitty O’Meara