As I write this, the earth is on the cusp of a new day dawning; Day 7 of America's 15 day social distancing plan to stem the Coronavirus. As life slows to a crawl across this nation and many others, we find ourselves slowing to the pace of nature. The birds and insects sing up and down the sun and we finally take note of the beat of the earth. The light of the stars become part of the evening entertainment in the absence of theaters, and nature calls us to come out and be one with it. We are more aware, more sentient than we have ever been before. The heat of the sun on our skin or the gentle breeze moving through our hair forces us to take note of where we are. We slow to appreciate everything and everyone around us. Our minds turn to meditation and prayer to reframe this new existence and somehow live within it. We move inward spiritually and physically and it feels right. There is peace here. We allow ourselves the time to think the deep thoughts, the what ifs of our existence. And we are grateful. Grateful for those we love and the technology that allows us to connect in new and more personal ways. The other senses have taken over for touch. Eye contact and voice intonation are in charge now. We take time to reconnect those binds that may have frayed over the years. In an instant, we call or text those who cross our minds; the mentors, the co-workers, the cousins and distant relatives. That connection takes precedence over the mundane, the laundry, the dishes. Today, this day, becomes everyone's reality. Suddenly we are all mindful of this moment in time. As we confront this virus in the only way we know how, we separate ourselves physically but support each other generously in love and solidarity. Through it all, the outside world reminds us of how little we need to bloom and thrive - light, food, water, and our flock. May we find and hold dear the beauty with which this dilemma has graced us as we listen to the earth, join in its rhythm, and find peace in the beat of its heart.
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