Listen to this while reading: Rise Up (Yves LaRock)
Watch the butterflies dance
This morning, when I opened my eyes from my daily meditation, the sun rays were streaming in through the window. Specks of dust were shining, glittering and dancing in the sunlight like fairydust. Entranced, hypnotised, I watched and watched with a soft smile of wonder on my lips.
This afternoon, I went to an Mpesa (mobile money) agent at a petrol station. I wore a mask – I’m taking zero risks as I am sheltering at my parents house during this period of the coronavirus pandemic. The askari (guard) wore a mask too, as did a handful of the few people moving around – the lady with the beige hijab in the line behind me here, the random man in blue trousers crossing the street there. A song about love creakily squeezed out of an old radio and I felt it – that love – for all these people, nervous and afraid of the looming unknown ahead, trying their best to protect their loved ones and themselves. My heart softened and melted just a little. A quiet capital city, a confused population, a worried population – even more about putting food on the table than the virus itself.
This evening, I took a solo stroll to breathe some fresh air amidst the self-isolation that those of us privileged enough to are practicing. A big drop from the sky, and another. Huge drops pitter-pattered around me and I smiled, breathing in that sweet smell when rainwater hits dust. Petrichor. That cool sensation of cloud droplet on my skin, the freshly cleaned air a gift to my lungs. I looked up to the sky and remembered the saying
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
How relevant to this unprecedented situation in which nature has taken matters back into her hands by force.
Summary of the day: Sparkling fairydust. Love. Cool fresh cloud droplets.
That was last week.
The COVID situation today in the developing world….
There is ongoing police brutality here in Kenya as they enforce the 7pm-5am curfew. People who must go to work daily in order to feed their families are getting the brunt of the violence. Between having no food to eat and risking infection by going to work, the choice is obvious. Sure death vs possible death. There is no need for this violence – people would not be out unless they had to. The solution is to provide for the people who cannot afford to stay home. All rent should be temporarily suspended, and food and water provided to those who need it. Cash transfers are an option too. We are heading towards a total lockdown, but we are far from ready for it.
India’s lockdown started a week ago. 90% of the Indian workforce is informal. People streamed out of the capital to head back to their hometowns or villages as there is no work. Daily wage workers could not survive a lockdown. Trains and buses were crowded to the max (not ideal when we are meant to be keeping distance) and people wept as they missed spots on the transport heading out of Delhi.
Millions of people have been forced to walk, for days, towards their hometowns. With little to no food, with crying children, workers and families have walked until their shoes have worn out. Some have made it, others have died. Many are still walking. This is surreal.
Globally, we are inching towards a million infections, with over 43,000 deaths so far according to today’s statistics. Europe has shut down. The United States is in chaos. The entire world order has been turned on its head.
What can we do?
For one, play your part in social distancing. This is the only way to curb the spread.
If you are able to, take part in initiatives to aid the more vulnerable population – programs to distribute water, food, etc. Either in person (while keeping yourself protected) or by donating funds. Do what you can.
Practice self-care. Spend time nourishing your body through exercise, your mind through positive media consumption, and your soul through meditation or other spiritual practice. Take on some creative projects. Nurture the peace within you, to create a harmonious environment for those you are sharing your lockdown space with. Be present, appreciate every little blessing you have, hold onto that love. Be love. Be peace. Be love.
Release & Uplift
I will be holding an online event on Sunday 12th April, to share some powerful chanting of the Great Compassion Mantra, some detoxifying breathing techniques, OM chanting, 21 minutes of silent meditation, and a Metta meditation to shine out healing lightbeams to ourselves and the earth, and to tune into our insight and cosmic wisdom during this period of transition.
Please join via Instagram Live Video (@nomadgirltales) if you have good internet, or Facebook Live Audio (Child of the Earth – Sound Healing Ke) if you are using bundles!
Let’s stay strong, keep sharing the love, and Rise Up.
