We Are Not Isolated

In these times of social distancing, please remember, wherever you are, you are in the world. I am in the world. The world is all around us. We may be isolated from one another—perhaps from our friends, from our loved ones, from our co-workers, from our clients, from our service providers—and that’s not a small thing. Of course. We’re in unknown territory. It’s scary. Of course

AND…

We are here. The world is all around us, each of us. The world is more than human. Now is a good time to notice this. For those of us who are not dealing with immediate crises, these times of social distancing provide the opportunity to explore our inner worlds, and our presence in the world around us.

Please don’t reach compulsively for your devices. It is not only by “entertainment” that we can fill up our time. But by sitting - listening - looking - and coming to know the place where we are.

Notice yourself. And notice beyond yourself.

Notice colors — and sounds — odors — and feelings

Expand your senses

For your body
is
a giant sense organ

Clinging to our devices
Turning compulsively, again and again, to the internet—

This is a response to anxiety
But it is not a solution to anxiety.

Instead, express yourself

on paper
in song
by movement

Make something

with food
with yarn
with color

This is You — who are of the World — interacting with the World. And this type of expressive work does reduce anxiety.

It doesn’t need to be a masterpiece. It doesn’t need to be archived or posted. And truly, it doesn’t need to be shared with other humans in order for it to be a true, helpful, and valuable expression of you, in the world.

You are here.