Emotional, spiritual and compassionate preparation

[Neome]

I am grateful for the preppers board and the thoughtful sharing of information.

I am grateful for those sharing their worries which helps me to consider how I manage my own.

I am grateful for the challengers who remind me to critically examine my assumptions.

I want to take a moment to think of all those in Wuhan who are sick or anxious. To remember Dr Li Wenliang and all the healthcare workers there.

I want to send my compassionate thoughts to everyone directly affected by COVID19. Prayer and preparation mean such different things to different people. My imperfect faith understands prayer as holding people and situations in the light.

In every moment of human history there has been fear and suffering and, I believe, love, stewardship and courage.

I hope to make today as good as possible for my family and those around me and be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Best wishes to all.

[wrongsideofhistorymyarse]

And to you Neome.

[KundaliniRising]

I will share one of my favourite Buddhist prayer with you and all those that visit your thread Neome.

Namaste

A Buddhist prayer for Humanity

May I be a guard for those who need protection,
A guide for those on the path,
A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood.
May I be a lamp in the darkness,
A resting place for the weary,
A healing medicine for all who are sick
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles.
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings
May I bring sustenance and awakening,
Enduring like the earth and sky
Until all beings are freed from sorrow
And all are awakened.

• Shantideva
  
  performed by the Dalai Lama

[Neome]

That is really lovely KundaliniRising thank you.

Thank you too, wrongsideofhistorymyarse, It’s good to feel we are not alone.

[bellinisurge]

It is really important for believers, non-believers, don't-really-think-about-it-much ers to include their emotional wellbeing in their prep considerations.
I was despairing that we were turning into such a negative nasty place until I saw (and contributed to) knitting/sewing drives for Australian wildlife from all over the world.
I follow some YouTubers that most would consider red neck shit kickers (with good reason in some cases). And most of them have surprised me by expressing compassion and sympathy for people in Wuhan.

[wrongsideofhistorymyarse]

I'm an atheist but find this quote from Dame Julian of Norwich very comforting at difficult times.

“And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.”

[Neome]

These are really helpful thoughts.

Today I’m particularly keeping in mind Dr John Campbell who is facing and interpreting so much complex and unfortunate information for us.

I’m thinking about all the children and young people everywhere who may be worrying about this illness.

I’m sending out my good wishes to all the preppers facing and thinking through the need for self reliance.

This Quaker quote from George Fox (in 1647) came to mind “I saw also that there was an ocean of darkness and death, but an infinite ocean of light and love, which flowed over the ocean of darkness.”

[Neome]

Today I'm particularly thinking about the people in South Korea trying their best to contain the virus. Also in Italy, I hope all the children affected by the lock downs are with their families and having as happy a time as possible.

I'm so grateful for the immense research efforts in China and around the world to find treatments and a vaccine.

I hope everyone in positions of power can work together effectively, rationally and compassionately.

It is a good day to think about the right and responsible way to prepare practically and mentally.

[AdaFromYorkshire]

A group of children I was with yesterday were very worried. Adults need to remember that children may have worries but not want to talk about them. One child had heard that older people are more likely to die, was worried about his grandpa but did not want to talk to his mum about it. If you have children or work with them, please start a gentle conversation.

If my town goes into lockdown I will spend time finishing a big sewing project. It will be therapeutic as well as productive.

[Neome]

Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

Thinking of GoJetterGirl who lost her darling boy today.

Wishing you the best

[Neome]

Thank you AdaFromYorkshire Today I have been thinking about some beautiful illustrated books (not just for children) which I find particularly helpful. Your post encourages me to mention them here.

Lifetimes

Tear Soup

I’ve been thinking about how important it is to prepare for communicating with others who are in a different place from me. I need to be more aware of what people are ready to think about. It’s easiest with people who are no more than a step ahead or a step behind as it were.

Dr John Campbell is a great role model of compassion and kindness. He has confidence in his own analysis but is also restrained in how he communicates.

The following saying from a 16th century Quaker, Stephen Grellet, suddenly popped into my mind.

“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.“

[KundaliniRising]

I have been asking for guidance from Gautama the Buddha each day, so that i can sit between the breaths and be calm.

So i thought that i would share todays Dhammapada with you all.

The way is not in the sky.
The way is in the heart.

This means essentially, do not look upward, do not look outward, look instead inward. Because knowledge is there.

You all have the knowledge inside of you, you just need to observe it, sit with it and feel it.

Be calm, be ready.

[wheresmymojo]

I'm now feeling much calmer this week, I suppose because I've been anticipating the spread across Europe for some time.

I've done my very best to tell friends and family and most of them have taken things on board and have done some preparation themselves. I am hoping this also helps them feel a little calmer than many people in the country today who are just starting to realise how serious this could be.

Now that I'm prepared I will be spending less time following global news and numbers and more time enjoying pottering around at home.

My plans are to do daily yoga, crafting, reading and start to prepare the garden for spring.

[RedLentilYellowLentil]

This is a nice thread. Thank you for linking to it from the other preppers thread.

I'm not sure that I have much to add, but it did occur to me yesterday that crises and disasters have the potential to bring much that is good in their wake as well as all the bad stuff. We were kvetching on the other thread yesterday about people who are selling masks/gloves/hand sanitiser at massively inflated prices just because they can, and personally I deplore anyone who would see the coronavirus as a moneymaking opportunity to be exploited. But I can also see that there will be a lot of people who will really step up under these circumstances: people who share what they have, look out for their neighbours, mind pets/children/empty houses for friends who are poorly, and all sorts of other things we probably can't even imagine at the moment.

@Neome mentioned GoJetterGirl, who is so much in my thoughts this week. GoJetterGirl used to say that her life would be perfect if her DS didn't have cancer, but that if it weren't for her DS's cancer she wouldn't know it. If coronavirus hits us all hard, I think many of us will have a rapid introduction to what kind of person we really are, and to what and who is important in life.

[FelicityFebruary]

My thanks to the contributors here.

[KundaliniRising]

If coronavirus hits us all hard, I think many of us will have a rapid introduction to what kind of person we really are, and to what and who is important in life.

Absolutely

[Neome]

“The therapist’s first duty is to survive”

I’m not sure where I first heard this but it popped into my head today. I’m aware that Dr John Campbell and others working in the midst of the emerging realities of covid19 are feeling the stress. Is there anything, however small, that I can do to offer support?

Equally I need to consider whether I am recharging my own batteries. Re-reading Terry Pratchett is always good for me. Indoor gardening might be a good plan too, especially beans for bean sprouts and summer bedding.

Do you have an art or craft, musical or reading interest that really absorbs you and makes you forget time when you do it?

Amongst other things today I have been preparing some giant props for a kids birthday party. You never know when you might need a 4 metre long cardboard cutout of a giant squid.

[wheresmymojo]

I'm going to bed thinking of the citizens of Iran tonight.

I can't imagine what it must be like for them at the moment knowing that the virus is spreading among them and that the health system is overwhelmed.

Particularly thinking of all the frontline health workers in Iran who are continuing to treat people without access to all of the PPE and isolation units they need knowing what happened to the health care workers in China.

They must be incredibly brave and selfless but also very scared for themselves and their families.

[Neome]

Oh yes mojo what difficult times for them.

You are doing sterling work yourself.

I’m somehow reminded of stories where musicians played in difficult circumstances and lifted people up and away from the strains of war or disaster for a while. Others making art or gardens in the same circumstances.

I’m thinking, with gratitude, of all those working to lift and support the spirits of the healthcare workers, epidemiologists, researchers and educators who are seeing the most distressing and challenging side of this situation.

With love to all

[DefiniteArticle]

This thread is exactly what I needed, thanks Neome. Today I felt myself moving from fear to acceptance, and I want to try to be as calm and positive as I can be for the people around me.

Feeling compassion and solidarity with everyone being affected by this around the world. We are all in this together

[bilboraggins]

Feeling a bit overwhelmed today and twitchy about what supplies I have in and thought of this thread. I never responded at the time but liked seeing it was here. Thought by posting it might help others today even just seeing it.

I think I will go for a bath tonight when the kids are down and have some calm peaceful time without reading latest updates.

[Neome]

That’s a very supportive thought bilboraggins you reminded me about mindful breathing in moments of overwhelm.

Berkeley, University of California has this on their “Greater Good” Website

“ The most basic way to do mindful breathing is simply to focus your attention on your breath, the inhale and exhale. You can do this while standing, but ideally you’ll be sitting or even lying in a comfortable position. Your eyes may be open or closed, but you may find it easier to maintain your focus if you close your eyes. It can help to set aside a designated time for this exercise, but it can also help to practice it when you’re feeling particularly stressed or anxious. Experts believe a regular practice of mindful breathing can make it easier to do it in difficult situations.

Sometimes, especially when trying to calm yourself in a stressful moment, it might help to start by taking an exaggerated breath: a deep inhale through your nostrils (3 seconds), hold your breath (2 seconds), and a long exhale through your mouth (4 seconds). Otherwise, simply observe each breath without trying to adjust it; it may help to focus on the rise and fall of your chest or the sensation through your nostrils. As you do so, you may find that your mind wanders, distracted by thoughts or bodily sensations. That’s OK. Just notice that this is happening and gently bring your attention back to your breath.”

In the last couple of days I’ve been particularly thinking about people who have been busy with their lives and are just turning the telescope around from small problem far away to big problem nearby. It’s a really difficult adjustment, in my experience, and takes a while to find a new feeling of balance in changed circumstances.

At whatever stage of our thinking we are I hope we can practice compassionate listening - something I certainly need to do more often!

[tea] and 🌸🌺🌸🌺🌸

[bilboraggins]

Thank you @Neome reading your last post was like a balm for my soul!

Truly grateful

[Neome]

Thank you for inspiring it bilboraggins 🐾

[Neome]

I’m thinking about everyone who is adjusting their picture of their world and finding it worrying.

Some people are not very worried about the illness believing it is exaggerated and not a problem for most people but they realise there may be disruption to events that are important to them and are getting quite worried about economic effects.

Some people are very concerned about the risk to themselves and family members because of age or preexisting conditions. They may be worried about serious disruption to medical services or availability of essential medication. Some are worried about surviving financially.

Others are coping with self isolation, making difficult decisions about changing plans and considering home working or schooling arrangements.

People working to research and communicate are facing tipping points knowing the implications and knowing what can and can’t be done at this stage.

Whatever lies ahead I hope we will be as kind and considerate towards each other’s concerns as we can be, given our own situation.

I hope my actions protect me and my nearest and dearest and are supportive of others whatever the focus of their concern.

🌦 “above the clouds the sun is always shining”

[RhodaCamel]

Neome what a lovely thread, thank you for starting it. What a kind soul you have.
I think that uncertain times like this always bring out the best and worst of people and thankfully, for the best in most cases. I regularly think of all the front line people who have already given so much of their time (and sadly some their lives) to help treat people and help those recover and for those who will be helping sufferers in the future as this virus continues.
I also think of of the highly intelligent, dedicated people trying to find a vaccine for this awful disease but equally the poor animals who will unfortunately have to give up their lives for this cure/vaccine and to the brave people who will volunteer for the human trials. Life is so complex with many layers involved, it’s mind blowing at times how we all work like cogs in some massive unseen machine!