BEING IN LOCKDOWN or 'ISOLATION'

Hello dear friends,  

This is a “strange” time we’re in.  Being in Isolation I find daylight hours seem slow and tedious, whereas as the afternoon unfolds, I find my day is rushing by. When I speak to some of my neighbours by phone or Messenger , they say the same thing!  Just what is going on, I ask?

This morning I opened the curtains to find the sky grey with heavy clouds.   Two hours later the sky is blue, and the sun is shining.   For those readers overseas, we’re in the second month of Autumn (my friends in the USA call it “Fall”).  While the weather here is cooling considerably, one thing I am missing is being able to walk around nearby streets and to see the ever-changing gardens.  I miss seeing the leaves of the deciduous trees turning into their beautiful colours. 

The Lockdown and Emotions

A number of my friends are telling me they’ve been going through all sorts of emotional ups and downs.  The worry associated with “not knowing” (what this virus is, where it came from, how long we will need to fight it, will it “die” of its own accord, or hide away?), together with not being able to see our families or to join in small groups with our girl-friends, yet trying to cope with the feelings of having no control on almost any part of our daily life, is taking its toll.  

Yet, as another friend from New Zealand wrote in her blog today, “This crisis WILL pass.  We WILL be back to normal, whatever our normal was or will be.   Life may be on hold for many but it still has the potential to be full of dreams and plans.”   She then included a most beautiful Youtube video of her land which has incredible uplifting words.   Visit her blog at:  thelockdowndiary.blogspot.com

Asking for Help

This is a time when our friends - whether close-by or further afield, need us, as we need them.   Too often we hold back and not ask for help, whether it be physical or merely just to “listen” to us when we feel out-of-sorts or “down in the dumps”.   We hold back because we don’t want to worry them, or take up their time.  Yet, I‘ve often found that when I do let my “pride” down a notch or two and actually ask a friend to “listen”, then they are ready, willing and able to put their life on hold, just to hold my hand (figuratively) and walk me through my times of anxiety or stress.    I like to think that I respond in like manner when they call on me. 

This is where, even though the “social-distancing” and “isolation” is restricting us in so many ways, we have opportunities to reach out and seek a friendly word of encouragement through means of emails, telephone calls and face-time.   We don’t need to remain silent, to keep things to ourselves, to wonder how other people are coping.   For when we are aware that we may feel disadvantaged because we can’t meet up with our girl-friends for coffee or get together in groups for lunch, then we become aware that they in turn most likely feel the same way.  

Loving each other

I heard the Joni Mitchell song the other night, “I’ve looked at love from both sides now.” While this is a regretful-love-song, it is more to the point a song about the two sides of love.   We can easily say we love our family, friends and neighbours, but to actually prove that in words, deeds, and caring, we rise above just being someone who says things but never does things,  In so doing, we can then become even more the person we’ve always hoped we would become.

But love doesn’t only have two sides. It is multi faceted. Love is just a four letter word, and yet it is incredibly difficult to define.  There are so many layers.  So many meanings.  So many translations.  Yet love is what makes the world go round.  It’s not being powerful, or being multi-rich, it’s being aware of another person’s needs whether they be physical or emotional and being ready to respond to those needs in whatever way we can. 

We also need to “thank” each other for countless things.   Teena the other morning reminded me about this when she told me she makes a point of saying “thank you” to all the people stocking the shelves in the supermarket where she shops. When you think about it, there are thousands of people who are still working in order for this country to continue moving forward.  To most of us they are the people in the background and we seldom give them a thought.   Why not make a short list of people you can think of, to whom you can say “thank you”.  For doing what they do, whether they are on the frontline (in their selfless examples) or in the background.     

Keep safe , everyone.   God bless you all, without exceptions.

Fondest regards

🌹 🌹 🌹

CARING about one another. CARING for one another.

Hello Dear Friends

For those of us of a “certain age” (don’t ask me what that means, because as far as I’m concerned any and every age is a “certain” age!! Lol), we’ve enjoyed many decades that became enriched following the Second World War, by way of better housing, more choices as far as food and clothing are concerned;  better transport, in fact being able to buy our own car, better and faster access to going to the Dr, the supply of medications, the ability to travel extensively, being able to regularly go to a restaurant for a special meal, the opportunity of education whether it be by attending mature-age university or by learning on the job, the technological age that permitted us to have our very own personal computer and then electronic devices, and the list goes on.

Yet now in 2020, with each day, in fact almost hour by hour, we find more things to upset us;  to cause us inconvenience; to make us anxious and stressed.   We learn there are more things to confront.   

For nothing has prepared us for this dreadful Covid 19 and its horrendous journey throughout the world and for those who say it’s not serious are denying reality.   The government here (Victoria, Australia) is bringing  in even more stringent measures in its endeavour to control the rapid spread of this virus through social physical interaction; casinos, hotels, sporting events, gyms, coffee shops, restaurants, concerts, art galleries, theatres, cinemas, churches are closed. Warnings of social distancing have been rejected by thousands of people, who take the attitude its not serious and therefore doesn’t affect them.  The common laws of good manners and common sense have been foolishly scorned.    Hundreds of thousands of jobshave already been lost, as well as small businesses going to the wall.  Not to mention large businesses.  

Unfortunately it affects us all.  And it's important that we, as intelligent, sensible human beings, take into account that each one of us is as important as the other.  Caring and sharing has become a symbol of “charity” (good-will and kindness) to its highest level of meaning amongst many people in our communities.  Young people are volunteering in droves to deliver food parcels  where homelessness and poverty prevent people from buying essential foods. Each day brings “positive” stories of individuals who have decided to make a stand, and to do things for other people, without thought of recompense.  

I made a conscious decision more than a week ago to semi-self-isolate.   For someone who has always enjoyed my own space, and not needing other people to provide my “entertainment”, it has been quite enlightening to me to realise what semi-self-isolation actually means.  Especially for those who “need” face-to-face interaction with other people.  I cannot comprehend their feelings of loss.  Yet,  I thank God for my one small room which I call my sanctuary - my “Serendipity Sanctuary”! 

So, finding my options were (1) watching TV, which I haven’t done for quite some time with the exception of the evening news each day; (2) reading and I’ve begun to read some of my old favourite authors again;  (3) and apart from vacuuming my room, tidying up and dusting, doing a little bit of simple cooking, it has become clear  I have the opportunity of seeking other means of keeping myself occupied in meaningful and worthwhile endeavours.  I am lost for things to do!   Although I have found I’m increasing my contact with friends, some whom I’ve not spoken with for years,  by telephone, and now by “ messenger” via my iPhone    The sound of another human voice and a voice we know, brings so much pleasure and costs nothing.  Oh yes, I’m playing music far more often that I’ve done over the past few years.   There’s no doubt that music soothes the soul.   

I am most fortunate in having my computer.   I can sit and write.  I can sit and learn.   I can sit and think.  And boy, do I think a lot?   (As most of you know!!)    I’ve decided that “semi-self-isolation” is in fact “solitude”.   Solitude is not loneliness.  It is more a “place of calm and peace”, whereby our well-being can become:

(a) refreshed

(b) reinvigorated

(c) revitalised

(d) renewed

(e) revived, and

(f)  restored. 

With that achieved, we are well armed to provide helpfulness through kind and loving words and encouragement; a listening ear to those who are going through problems that beset them;  and a heart that is open to those who need a friend. 

Women of all ages, since the beginning of time as we know it, have been resilient, adapting to the changing world around us.  Going without - in order that families and neighbours were fed;  in order that children were clothed and educated; in order that elders were cared for;  in order that others were thought of and looked after.  

Women have had to fight for the privilege of education (and I’m not only speaking of the 20th century, but earlier.)   Women had to fight draconian working conditions in mills and workshops as the industrial age came along, not to mention the backbreaking work in the coal and tin mines,  Women had to fight for acceptance to become doctors and teachers, and then typists and secretaries.  Women have had to fight discrimination throughout all facets of every-day life.  Women have had to face hardship, poverty, domestic abuse, and sadly many still do. 

But all in all, as life-style things improved for women, we began to take things for granted in so many ways.    This situation that now confronts us is a “wake-up” call, that things are not as they seem or as we recall just months ago.  We can’t assume that life will continue in that way, after this virus has passed away.  We have to grapple with a new reality and a fight against an unseen and remorseless foe. 

Yet women are born fighters!   And while we are facing and coping with this Covid 19,  if we look beyond our own needs, and share with others their needs, we will all be victors!    And our men need us too.  To provide the strength and toughness of spirit that we can provide them as they also battle with the insecurity and uncertainty presently confronting us.   

Because  women have always had the ability to look beyond what is NOW.  For “now” soon becomes “then.”   

Take care my friends and express love to one another in simple ways.   God bless you all - without exceptions.  We need each other more now than history can recall.   

Fondest regards

Rosemary

🌹🌹🌹