It’s not just COVID-19.

It’s everything on top of it.

It’s the deaths in the family, the tragedies in shootings, the loss of life when helicopters crash and the missing of those we cannot see.

Nova Scotia, my dear province, lost 22 people in our countries largest mass shooting.

In less than 24 hours, 22 people lost their life. An unthinkable thing. A tragic thing. A no explanation but despair thing. And we are here with our tear-stained cheeks wondering how and where do we go from here? What more will happen? How will we move from this?

It got me thinking as my heart was heavy, burdened with the death, the loss, the deep well of emotion when life is unsteady and unreal.

What do we do?

Make moves for peace.

How?

First, we listen, and we feel.

Feel the agony, the weight and the unsettledness.

Then, as the day moves, we move too. We make moves for peace.

Quiet, steady, one at a time, moves for peace.

For me, this meant:

Calling out toxic behaviour that surrounded our home.
Filling my ears with music that uplifts.
Watching media that welcomes peace such as Mr.Rodgers Neighbourhood
Almost daily chats with those who create order in my spirit.
Quiet activities, like walks, journaling, yoga & reading.
Praying.
Reading the Psalms.

What are your moves for peace?

Never in our generations have we been so restricted.

Not since the World Wars have we been encouraged to stay home, confined in our movements and asked to put the needs of others before our own. This just points out the privilege that we have been born into and daily have.

As the weeks progress, people are losing their jobs either temporarily or entirely, missing out on surrounding a loved one as they die, postponing weddings and funerals, losing the opportunity to have a doula supported birth, experiencing loneliness in a new way…

This is real.

Nothing I could ever say or suggest could minimize the weight that we have to journey. So rather than minimize, here are a few prompts of things one can do to hopefully aid in peace, groundedness and a bit of enjoyment.

Keep a Schedule

Whatever you do, don't slip into a non-scheduled life. (unless it’s the weekend) For me, it's a mix of time slots I upkeep for my work & a running list of daily activities that I do before the day is out. (daily chores, workouts, lessons with the preschooler)

Identify Professional Projects

Kick-starting new professional goals and projects That you can work on at home can be motivating and something to boost confidence.

Identify Personal Projects

Taking on my daughter's pre-school activities, enjoying the Home Edit mini-challenge, Spring cleaning, and preparing for her 5th birthday are ways to keep me occupied.

Get Relational

Relationships require an intentional back and forth. It takes work. Being able to identify those who are invested in the back and forth and creating a routine or natural rhythm of communication during this time of social isolation can do wonders for your heart. Currently, this means 'face-timing' with a good friend every Monday night when we would have been on my couch and watching a show. Now we do it separately while still experiencing it together. 'Facetiming' grandparents, always telling my aunt when I finish a book, staying close with my cousin while we grieve our grandfather and journey this uncertain time across the country from each other.

Move Your Body

In Nova Scotia, we have been told not to leave our communities and seek out nature, but are allowed to walk in our own neighbourhood, to limit the community spread of COVID-19. Thankfully, this means my daily walking routine is not limited and getting out for fresh air, distancing myself from neighbours that also walk that route has been an excellent time for me to separate from the emotions. Youtube and the broader internet is full of free and subscription-based workout videos of every kind. Personally, I adore Popsugar & Yoga With Adrienne.

Prepare food with Intention

Every meal matters. Turn on music, set the table, light candles, prepare with creativity. Eating alone or with those in your house in an atmosphere brings so much joy.

Document

Some do this by taking photos on their phones for Instagram, others by video and others by journaling. However you document your thoughts and experiences; do it. It's a form of therapy.