Masks and Kindness Cont'd

In mid-February I flew to LA for the Frieze art fair. The plane had changed and my seat reconfigured. Shortly after takeoff, the person in the row behind me started coughing, sneezing, and making all sorts of sounds in dealing with copious amounts of mucous. I wanted to scream, “Blow your nose for God’s sake!” For the entire flight I was in fear, anger, anxiety, and big time judgment, and this was before the COVID alerts! For all I know this person, who turned out to be a woman, had it. All I could do was move the small purifier around my neck closer to my face and envision myself in a protective bubble of white light. At that point I asked myself why it was incumbent on me, the non-sick one, to wear a mask. (Pre-COVID in Japan, the standard practice if you’re sick was to wear a mask.) Out of sheer kindness, I wish she had worn one. Obviously from now on when boarding a plane, I will be wearing a heavy-duty mask.

Make America great again with acts of kindness.

Masks And Kindness

A couple of days ago I was listening to a mayor in Texas, one of the states where the virus is spiking, and he was talking about the importance of wearing masks. He said even if someone doesn’t want to put a mask on, it’s a kind thing to do for others; therefore, wearing a mask is really an act of kindness. I love framing it that way!

Be Here Now

More often than not, when my thoughts become scattered, with non-sensible or well-balanced projections likely to take over, I pause and find myself gently repeating these 3 simple words. They provide a calming effect and Immediately fortify my present awareness and devotion to growth mindset. One way or another, my steadfast intent is to develop resilience, rise, and evolve through whatever.

Crazy

A dear relative has been struggling mentally, emotionally, and physically. Given COVID, shelter-in-place, and the collective insanities, it makes sense that any preexisting issues would be compressed and exaggerated. (This is certainly the case for me and a lot of other people too.) Stabilization is challenging, a work in progress, and a moment-by-moment choice. I cannot make this person I love so much choose this and well-being. I have no control nor do I know the full extent of his journey and karma. Naturally, I find myself in and out of anxiety, fear, optimism, letting go, and releasing how this unfolds.

Last night I quickly make this:

Free

Choosing to be free is a moment by moment practice. It usually involves recognizing my judgments, resentments, fear-based projections, letting go, and ultimately accepting what is. True to being human, I’ve had unlimited opportunities to become adept at this; yet, I still find the overall process difficult. That being said, I acknowledge and feel happy with a recent shift in my awareness as the prominent and prevalent questions in my psyche now are: do I want to be right or do I want to be free, and how can I rise and be free in this situation? For starters, it helps to:

Question To Ask

While on a phone call today, I looked out the window and saw a couple of people pruning a new tree the city required our association to plant. As branches were falling and forming a large pile on the sidewalk, I thought I must get off the phone and go talk to them. My fear was that, similar to the last pruners from the Street Tree Division under the Department of Public Works, the tree was going to be butchered mercilessly and look terrible. I understand the job is to maintain and cut away superfluous branches, and I know that some of the various crews do not know what they are doing.

Then I caught my fear and projection, paused, and asked myself the question, “Do you want to be right or do you want to be free? I chose to be free, let go of the outcome, and carry on with my conversation. Feelings of peace immediately followed.

Guilty Pleasure

A friend of mine who owns a spa was asked on a promotional video what her guilty pleasure is. Her response: “Guilt is a waste of time. Let it go. So not worth it. Not your best friend.”

This succinct answer, coupled with ebullience and emphasis from the wave of her hands, was impactful and helpful.

Flick It Away:

Father's Day

According to www.history.com, “The nation’s first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972 - 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States.” President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972 making it a permanent national holiday the 3rd Sunday in June.

Given the staunch patriarchy in our society, it’s surprising to me that Mother’s Day was made official and 58 years prior. Well, with equanimity, on this day I honor and thank my son’s father and my beloved father who passed away so unexpectedly in 1961. I feel eternally grateful to him for being my ally and loving me unconditionally and so blessed to know him even if it was for a very short time. Although I still miss him every day, I draw comfort in trusting that his etheric presence continues to guide me from beyond.

Yellow Buoyancy:

Word Of The Day

From Dictionary.com on June 18th, it was “risibility - the ability or disposition to laugh; humorous awareness of the ridiculous and absurd”. A good reminder indeed given the prevalent uncertainty and crazy governing practices from the far right and left authorities at the federal, state, and local levels. Is the flailing human in the oval office ridiculous and absurd? Yes! Is it ridiculous and absurd to continue strict shelter-in-place orders and foster destruction of businesses with a total of 3,057 confirmed cases of COVID and 47 deaths in SF? Yes! Is it ridiculous and absurd to impose a curfew and exempt the growing number of tents and people living on our streets and lumping them with essential workers? Yes, in my opinion and laughable! My goodness, I could go on with the ridiculous and absurd injustices.

(For the record, I feel utmost empathy for those who are homeless and dealing with mental illness and addictions. Year after year I vote for increased funding and pay increased taxes. However, the burgeoning tents are absurd given the $300+ million spent per year to deal with the conundrum. Obviously, a new tact is warranted like quickly building low-cost housing and medical facilities. Amongst the mayors including Gavin, there’s been plenty of time and opportunity.) Humorous awareness!

Birthday Greeting

A dear artist friend wrote, “May your special day offer deep introspective meaning for you. May you be joyful and at peace. And may your gathering wisdom guide your hands at the canvas.” This last part was especially touching and inspirational. So that’s what I’ve been doing all these years? Going through passage after passage “gathering wisdom”? Such a lovely way to frame the many travails, triumphs, sorrows and joys, in searching for and claiming my autonomy. Ahh, the power of language! With this phrasing, my awareness has been elevated, and I so look forward to being guided at the canvas.