Come as you are.

A plant isn't aware that it's growing. It just does what it can to survive each day. It makes the most of the circumstances it's given, and little by little it stretches towards the sun. It takes time and effort and resources, but ultimately it's a product of its environment. And then one morning, the sun rises to shine light on flowers. They didn't come on their own. Flowers blossom through nourishment, because the plant is designed to flourish.

"Our actions are largely determined by the times in which we exist."

This was a quote I heard today by a spiritual influencer. A man by the name Jaggi Vasudev, otherwise known as Sadhguru. He has a beard that dangles below his rib cage, he wears a turban, and he smiles often. I'm a firm believer that everyone has something to offer you. I will attach a link at the end of this post to the talk that I listened to earlier. I encourage you to be present and open minded if you choose to watch it. Whatever your religion, background, or bias; I hope that you hear his message. Be like COVID-19....don't discriminate!

I'm sure you heard there is a pandemic making its way around the globe. We are bystanders of this historical event. All we can do is respect it by responsible action.

What does that mean?

Well according to Sadhguru, it's defined as making a conscious response rather than reacting with compulsive behavior. It's the ability that separates us from a monkey.

We are connected as a species. We entrust each other to live harmoniously. So...Can you be trusted in the way you're responding to this international crisis? Are you respecting those that share the planet with you? Do you value the wellness of your family? What about your neighbors? These are difficult questions with a simple answer.

We can all do better. We can all offer more. We can all be grateful for the small joys in life that are still abundant to us.

I'm so thankful for the comedians that are creating content that spread smiles and laughter. I'm more grateful for the doctors, nurses, paramedics, UPS/Fedex/USPS drivers, police officers, and all of the people that are taking risks to assist the masses. But I will say that at times cabin fever gets the best of me. I lose sight of what's important. I get frustrated with the family that I'm fortunate enough to have in these times of adversity.

Let's dive into this, shall we?

Why is it so hard to spend an extended amount of time with the people we love?

It's because, unlike COVID-19, we discriminate. We have concrete identities and expectations about every person around us, especially ourselves. The moment we let those go, things become easier. If this time has taught us anything it is that no matter how solid the ground feels, you could be standing on a tectonic plate that shifts on a dime.

So what can we do?

The internet is flooded with people taking this time to achieve major goals. They're training for a marathon, doing 500 pushups a day, writing a book, brainstorming for a business that will change their lives. These are all positive aspirations to absorb, right?

If you fit into this category of incredible creativity and productivity, I applaud you my friend. Please spread it my way. But the rest of us are just trying to get through each day, one step at a time.

Patience is a virtue that slips my grasp at times. If there is anything that my experience in quarantine has taught me, it's that we all expand differently. We grow at different paces, in different directions, and are nourished by different resources.

Drop the identities and judgements of yourself and those that surround you. We can't help anyone until we understand how and where they function best.

The planet in which we reside is 4.5 BILLION years old. One of the best things Sadhguru said in his talk was that we are insignificant beings, here for a short time on this earth. The least we can do is make our existence pleasant to those around us.

Be kind, be thoughtful, and have the courage to evolve your identity.

It can be physical, mental, relational, or even skillful. Maybe it's as simple as stretching, making your bed, learning to cook plant based meals, or giving an unprecedented compliment. You'll know when it's right. Just make it a change that's authentic to your best self.

Be present. Accept where you are now. Love it even. As Nirvana put it, come as you are. Only then can you take the small steps to being 10% better in whichever direction you choose. But I would advise you to stretch towards the sunlight, it's what we were made to do.

I'm sending my love to everyone in these difficult times.

Stay mindful, stay strong, stay brave, and stay sane.

~Soph xo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mulpnEIQcxc