In early February I got a call from a woman living in New York who was registered in my August 23-28 workshop in Switzerland. Carol, who was one of the first to register, nervously said, “Aviva I see you have a waiting list for the Swiss workshop. I’m worried about this virus from China and would like to cancel. Can I get a refund?” I was stunned. There were only a few cases reported outside China at that time. I collected my self and said, “Carol, even if the virus spreads, it will be over by the end of August.” I had the very first irritated inkling that this virus could be an inconvenience in my life. Little did I know.
A few weeks ago when I went to register for a conference on Consciousness in Tucson I was shocked to discover it was canceled. Surreal. All that preparation and planning, gone in a puff. I have been preparing for months to do a workshop in the International Expressive Arts Association conference in Phoenix, March 25-28. I am shocked when it is canceled. Yesterday there was a sign on the library door. “Closed due to Covid-19 virus till further notice.” I am in a bad dream. Truly Surreal.
As a child I had a recurring dream that a tidal wave I saw in the distance was moving slowly towards me. There was no place I could hide or run. No escape. I was doomed. I would awake in a panic.
In the beginning of the Covid-19 news I felt complacent about my good health. What is all the fuss? This is just a bad flu. I never even get a flu shot and have not had the flu for at least 15 years. Anyway our great health system in US will “nip it in the bud”.
My tendency is toward optimism. I have good instincts and awareness. I have traveled to some of the wildest uncivilized places on earth and indulged in my share of risky behavior and gratefully managed to reach 80 in excellent health. And yet…. I began to wonder. This particular spec of genetic material within a protein shell, called Covid-19 virus is especially contagious and lethal to people my age. There is no plan. “Each man (woman) for them self.” Up to now I have been happy living alone in an isolated town but now a sense of fear and loneliness was creeping in that is more lethal than the virus.
A few days ago I was listening on NPR to the first really definitive action plan offered by president, medical and business leaders to protect people from the Pandemic. I felt my self exhale for the first time in weeks. Listening with the rest of the world to the co-operation between experts establishing a unified plan brought tears of relief to my eyes. There was help and I was not alone. Even if the plan is not perfect, even if the plan is an illusion, even if the plan ends up failing me personally, there is an effort; dependable and responsible people have actually been working day and night on a protection plan. But why are there tears of relief?
I begin to realize that my, (our) experiences with safety and support from our family in childhood effect the way we experience a disorganized, dysfunctional Government response to Pandemic threat. Childhood is a time when we do not have control and are completely dependent on the adults around us for protection and guidance during inevitable life challenges. For me, the early lack of direction and support from Government and medical officials triggered the childhood experiences of lack of support, lack of safety, helplessness and loneliness with my dysfunctional fearful family. I feel a positive shift in my mood with this realization and sense that I am not alone.
We are living through unprecedented times. Therefore we have unprecedented opportunities in both attitude change and lifestyle change.. As an adult with all my life experience I realize that although I can not directly control the forces of nature, I can cultivate a sense of inner peace.Cultivating inner peace in a raging storm of uncertainty and fear is indeed a challenging process, but I believe that this cultivation and practice is well worth the effort and ironically can have a positive effect on both external events, the forces of nature, and our health. Please remember dear friends, We Are Nature. There is no separation. And Painting is a great way to connect with nature, the Source and matrix of all life. This is your opportunity.
What to do:
Stay home if you possibly can. Make your home cozy and comfortable. Drink room temperature water, eat healthy food. Get exercise and good sleep. Take a walk in fresh air. Be quiet. Journal. Meditate. Read a good book. Work on that project that you have been putting off. If you are with family, have fun with them. And of course pickup a paint brush and paint from the Source! See below for instructions and support for painting home.
What I would miss most in the next few weeks ( or months) is leading workshops. Facilitating the healing creative process with you invigorates me, nourishes me, gives me purpose and supports my financial needs. The question arises: How can I offer this healing experience for people at a time when they most need it and at a time when travel and being together in person is imprudent? Well you know the saying, “Necessity is the Mother of invention.” I had the inspiration to offer a workshop online where you paint in your own home and we meet as a group with your “painting in process” at pre-arranged times for a weekend in an “online forum” such as Zoom. It is not the same as being together in person, but we can make it intimate and safe. And it would be more economical. I think we could do it for $265 for the weekend. (Save $100 and no travel) And technically it is pretty easy. You only need a computer. Please tell me what you think of this idea?
Love and blessings,
Aviva
