“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
These pandemic times are rife with stress and uncertainty. But where there is dark, there is also light.
Lately, the power of the human spirit has been seen on a global scale. In the spirit of sharing Some Good News, here is a short and sweet curation of recent efforts – demonstrating public safety, well-being, love and connection.
Adapting Mindfully
From paper heart window displays to small business owners helping their neighbours shop for provisions, acts of kindness and compassion are being felt deeply, in every community.
While local restaurants, retailers and public gathering places have been forced to temporarily close their physical doors, many businesses have adapted and embraced their online spaces. Grocery stores and food suppliers are expressing a strong commitment to community well-being, and small businesses are connecting with customers in the most heart-centred way.
Many of our favourite businesses are offering contactless doorstep delivery and curbside pickup. Radical pivots are being made, such as breweries distilling hand sanitizer and textile companies retooling to make face masks. Soap businesses are gifting soap bars to their local community service groups. Juice companies are donating nutritious beverages and food items to healthcare workers and food banks.
The effect is rippling every day.
Sourcing Farm-fresh Nourishment
While we’re all keeping our social distance and learning new definitions of “essential services,” farmers’ markets are also adapting. Local markets are moving to an online ordering system to keep farms and their communities thriving.
Organic, locally-grown produce can also be accessed through Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions – aka, those awesome assorted weekly harvest boxes, where experiential veggies abound (like kohlrabi). However you’re ‘supporting local’ these days, just know it’s going a very long way.
Honouring our Healthcare Heroes
Around the world, people are uniting in sound to support our frontline healthcare workers. #ClapBecauseWeCare starts around 7 PM each night (coinciding with nearby hospital shift changes). The positive reverberation of cheering, pot-banging and applause can be heard far and wide. This spirit-raising, connective practice offers healing, hope and gratitude.
Some neighbourhoods have become a canvas for artistic murals of real-life superheroes and modern-day celebrities.
Another beautiful example of spreading well-being: Saje Wellness is donating $5 from every purchase of a Wellness Heroes Kit to charities supporting frontline workers.
Connecting to a Shared Frequency
These days, Zoom calls are the name of the WFH game (and cocktail hour). Many yoga and fitness studios are also turning to a virtual connection.
When you’re feeling the effects of social isolation, try tuning in to a live stream yoga session or virtual sound meditation via Instagram. Local Facebook groups also are shifting their focus to offer grocery/pharmacy trips for elderly or at-risk neighbours.
What We Can Do (and Keep Doing) to Support Our Communities
- Buy now, use later (we’re not referring to panic-buying toilet paper): purchase a gift certificate to a local brick-and-mortar business, for future use (whatever amount is most budget-friendly).
- Gift an online 1-month subscription service for a friend (again, mindful of our budgets and benevolent spirits).
- Ask a neighbour if they need anything on your next grocery trip.
- Keep connected to loved ones by reaching out every day.
- Stay home, tend to our gardens, meditate and practice our most grounding self-care rituals.
- Remember the impermanence of things, and how this ‘new normal’ is a temporary measure to protect the health of our communities.
This is but a small glimpse into how we’re all adapting and taking each day as it comes. Our global landscape continues to shift every day with drastic, life-altering impacts.
Now – perhaps more than ever – we’re experiencing a transformative shift that connects us all on the deepest levels.
If you’ve been inspired by a local community or business initiative, we’d love to hear about it. Share and #spreadlove with us @tujawellness (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).
