Elephant’s Continually-updating Coronavirus Diary. ~ Waylon

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When I was younger and not fully connected to myself or the Universe, I used to think that everything happened to me.

I always wondered why I was the one with the bad luck, or why some things never really worked out for me. I was the victim. That is, it wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I began a journey inward.

In 2010 I heard a calling in my heart that there was more to life and living than what I was experiencing. I had recently started my yoga teacher training and as the saying goes, “The teacher appears when the student is ready.” On the first day of my training, I knew in my heart, in my bones, that I was meant to be there and my heart exhaled.

Throughout the course of the next 10 months, I deepened my knowledge of not only myself, but also the Universe. Through my training journey, I was invited to see a glimpse of the vastness that is the world within and around. As the years have passed since that first day of training, I have come into a deeper knowing of who I am, and the world both around me and beyond me.

In this discovery, I have come to understand that not only do things not happen to us, but they happen for us.

Sure, there are circumstances where we question the motives of the Universe, God, Source—whatever you call it. And in those moments it is not always clear why things are happening the way they do; sometimes it is baffling. It seems there could not possibly be a reason for our suffering. But in time, the answer usually presents itself.

The Universe put us here for a reason. Each and every one of us. And the Universe would never turn its back on us, nor would it give us more than we can handle.

This pandemic is an example of when we put our trust in the Universe to the test.

Here are three things that we can do instead of thinking this is all happening to us:

1. Remember that this will end.

Why is this happening? What does it mean? When will all of this end? What does life look like after this? Honestly, these are just a few questions I have heard many times over the past six weeks or so. And the most frustrating thing is that no one has the answers.

This uncertainty is one of those things that leave us angry, sad, and upset at the Universe. We emit negative energy and emotions and may even throw a few F-bombs around while we’re at it. That’s fine. Feel it.

But at the end of the day, we need to remember that it will end. It might not be next week, next month, or even a year from now, but it will end. Keeping sight of the light at the end of the tunnel will keep that spark alive and is what will keep you getting up every morning.

2. Strengthen your practice to strengthen your faith.

If you don’t have a daily practice of honoring yourself or something higher then now’s the time to do it.

Fall to your knees, unroll your mat, go for a hike in nature. Whatever you need to do to get closer to Source, do it. Now.

I’m not trying to be pushy here, but I am passionate about this. It wasn’t until I started a daily practice that I started to feel a deep connection and knowing in my body that I was being guided and taken care of. In moments of darkness, frustration, anger, or uncertainty (and there have been many) I knew in my heart that it was all going to be okay in the end. I believed that, and that is how I have lived these past many years.

Give it a try, for a few weeks at least. And if you do it, I want to know how you made out.

3. Listen to Mr. Rogers’ mother.

Raise your hand if you are familiar with watching Mr. Rogers as a kid.

When he was a child and was scared by things happening in the world around him, Mr. Rogers’ mother would tell him, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” What a wise woman.

If you look close enough, you’ll always find helpers. Always.

The helpers are the ones supporting us when we can not support ourselves. Comforting us when we need comfort. Helping us when we are in need. These helpers are the Universe in body form. It is the Universe showing us it is there for us when we need it to be. The helpers are the ones shining the light of hope in the darkness so that we might find our way. And sometimes we are others’ helpers.

Whether the Universe shows up as helpers, in written form such as this article, or nature coming to life as it is now, the Universe is everywhere we look. We just need to allow our blinders to fall away so we can allow the light in.

My offering to you is that you might find comfort in my words, and allow yourself to try what I have suggested above.

We are strong. We are united. And we are never alone.

~

Relephant: