The unexpected push from COVID-19
March 23, 2020
Warm greetings,
Although the organic seeding for this website has taken place over the last four years, COVID-19 pushed us into action. When Michigan schools were closed, I was contacted by a rightfully scared student who struggles with Cystic Fibrosis. We chose to meet on a trail and walk. Listening to her raspy conversation, I felt my own heartache with concern over her health. Would we, our community, our state, our country, step up with compassion for our most vulnerable? Could we offer support while protecting our most vulnerable? What can I do from my corner in the woods along Lake Michigan? Working with my husband, Ron we launched with our first Mindful activity: Life of a Branch. Then we added our neighbor, Jack to the team for his film production expertise. He’s back home because his university closed due to COVID-19. It’s exciting to have such knowledgeable support.
For the first day, I was “Woo-Hoo! We are REALLY going to make this happen!” Then the next morning came with a dark cloud. Am I enough? Do I really have anything to share? The mean girl inside, as my friend Noelle called it, was very busy yelling at me, “What have you done?! You are not qualified for this!” I noticed that Brene’ Brown offered a new podcast called Unlocking Us, so I strapped on my running shoes excited to distract myself. And no kidding, the topic was managing first times, or as she called it FFT (#@$&#?% First Time). Pretty sure she was speaking to me. I found myself laughing in recognition, and ever so grateful for a way to manage FFTs.
Normalize - most first times feel really rough and scary
Perspective - remind myself that I have learned through hard times in the past, & I will learn through this.
Expectations - Give myself a reality check. To think I will have everything done at once is not realistic.
I highly recommend this podcast, and we will be called them Terrible First Times, as she recommends for kids.
Peace & love,
Kelley