My friends and in nature.

Give them a phone call of support. Leave flowers or food at their door. Send a note of encouragement. Wave hello while wearing a mask. Light a candle and say a prayer for peace or mantra for myself and all creatures and humans on mother EARTH.

Looking at the Milky Way and stars in the night sky. Beauty of trees and the ocean. Nature and anyone who has talent to play music, sing and paint . The miracle of a vaccine to fight diseases. The sunrise and sunset. Kindness of humans in challenging times. Holding a newborn baby.

Taking three deep breaths and staying calm and keep persevering through this pandemic. Remembering to be grateful for clean water, food and shelter and the beautiful nature that surrounds my home. A sweet puppy and a loving mate. Helping in anyway I can for others.

I would write a thank you letter to my Italian immigrant grandmothers who loved us all so much. Coming here with nothing in their pockets and so young. They surrounded the family with homemade food every Sunday. Through all the challenges of starting over in a new country opening a restaurant where I still have a menu where the raviolis were 25 cents. They made a home for all their children and family filled with love, support and worked from dawn to dusk.

A cup of morning coffee
My puppy Cody happily greeting me
A walk with my mask on and other walkers waving hello with their masks on.
Looking at the sunset at the end of the day
Seeing all the new flowers blooming from the rain
Facetime with the grandkids
Waking up above ground

I can lighten my load by sitting outside and looking at the beautiful sky and breathe three deep breaths and let all the worry go.

When I can surrender to just the moment and live in that, it really helps. I can stay much calmer.

My ritual before I go to sleep at night is to light a candle and say a prayer or metta for one person that I know needs it. I include myself sometimes to remember to be compassionate to myself too when I need it. Or when someone I love has died I light a candle at night to remember them and let them know we are still connected. This ritual comforts me and gives me peace.

When my husband puts his loving arms around me and says” we will make it through this together”. Even if I don’t know we will make it through this pandemic without getting sick no matter how careful we are. It is so comforting to me when he does this. It gives me courage to go through the day.

My brother who died of an overdose came to me in a dream and asked for forgiveness as he didn’t mean to die. He asked me to tell my mother and father who grieved so deeply. I told them and even though I am not sure they believed it. I think it did have an impact of some comfort. The dream felt real.

I learned to be patient. I cannot stand to have any disharmony with this family member. I always try to talk it out on the spot and find a solution or way forward to understand each other. Yet this family member feels better to not talk about it for at least a month. I have had to learn to respect that space and it always gets fixed but I do not like the long wait. Yet it has taught me patience and differences in personalities need to be honored.

Exploring nature, listening and helping where I can.

Very wise words Carol .

The quote “What would love have me do today?” is still the one that guides me to take steps whenever an opportunity shows itself. When I was young I thought I could save the world. That was just youthful ego and innocence. Now with some age and wisdom I know every little bit of help for others, nature and the planet is what I can do. Small steps but they do help I hope.

Looking forward to a vaccine and future with my grandkids. My new puppy, hiking, my spiritual practice, my husband , writing and books. Oh and especially working to save the environment and wildlife on planet Mother Earth. Been planting native plants a lot and trees.

I do my best to follow the Dalai Lama’s advice ” My religion is kindness”.

Keep hope alive by being grateful for what I do have. Learn even more patience waiting for a vaccine. Taking in nature every day and remembering all who are working so hard for all of us to stay healthy and with food and protection.

To see what is beneficial and carries hope in anyway that we can take it in our heart and mind. A monarch flitting by, smile from a grandchild, food on the table, basic and small things at this time of turmoil and unknowns with the pandemic.