While LOVE, kindness, and compassion are needed more now than ever, offering it via hugs has been put on hold. At first, it was a hard decision I did not want to make as I know how powerful hugs are to people, especially those feeling alone and isolated. And yet, it was really an easy decision to make to keep people safer, and we’ll come up with new ways to share LOVE, kindness, and compassion in the meantime.
To be a helper in our current climate of COVID-19, World Hugs Weekend 2020 is being moved to October 2nd and 4th. CLICK HERE to register as we would LOVE to have you join us in LOVING up the world then. Our twice-monthly hugs in Chicago will be on an event-by-event decision as to when we can get out there and offer air hugs, a smile, a kind word, and eventually physical hugs once again.
Uncertainty is the breeding ground for fear. It also tends to be the breeding ground of helpers, kindness, LOVE, and compassion.
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” – Fred Rogers
“Look for the helpers when in need and be a helper when you can.” – Carol CC Miller
As my idol, Fred Rogers, says… look for the helpers. Actually, his mother said it, but he dedicated his life to showcasing kindness, and I do what I can to carry on his powerful work.
So, as we move through this time of uncertainty, I encourage you to:
BREATHE – when we are in a state of anxiousness, we often constrict our breathing, so take some conscious, slow and deep breaths right at this moment. Fill your body with the oxygen your heart and brain need to allow clearer decisions to come forth.
Feel your feels. Fear is part of being human. Think of it as the little girl, boy, they, in you that is simply begging to be heard and LOVED. That’s what fear is doing. Pretending it doesn’t exist will push it aside for it to return later. Feel it, be gentle with it, thank it as it’s reminding you that you are focusing on what you don’t want in your life rather than what you DO want. Feel it. Be gentle with it. Release it and start focusing on a better feeling thought.
Pay attention to the scientific and health provider experts, such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local experts within your community. They are sharing best practices. Heed them to help lessen the impact of COVID-19. Listen to factual expertise rather than sensationalized headlines from the media.
HUG yourself. When you feel isolated, alone, or afraid, take a pause and wrap your arms around you. Give yourself a big squeeze and think about things you appreciate about yourself.
Focus on who you want to be through this. Do you want to show up from a space of LOVE, kindness, and compassion? Or do you want to show up as blame, shame, and complain? Listen, fear is a natural response to something you’ve not been through, AND you get to choose how to channel it. It’s okay to feel afraid, but channel it into helpful action rather than a fearful reaction.
Be a helper where you can. One of the ways is to stay home, as the experts are asking. Another way is to volunteer, donate, etc., to place you can be of assistance. Offer to get groceries for those at high risk. Check-in on those at high risk and let them know you are thinking about them—Check in with your LOVED ones. Ask for help, too, if you need support.
Mostly, I want to remind you how very worthy you are of having peace of mind and heart. Yes, we’re in a challenging time, and if we each do our part, we’ll lessen the impact. It’s time to pull together, be the person you strive to be, and create the world you yearn to live in.
We’ve got this. Perhaps not arm in arm right now, but energetically we are connected and care of each other.
Until next time, sending you so much LOVE wrapped up in the biggest virtual ((HUG)) can be transmitted via the airways.
Big hugs and much LOVE,
Coach Carol
Affirmation:
I am healthy, happy, and LOVED.
Words to LOVE by:
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm; as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
– Audrey Hepburn
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm; as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
– Dalai Lama
Sounds for your soul:
