I started the year joining in on a Deepak Chopra Abundance Mediation Challenge. Through this process, I became more attuned to what was contributing positively and negatively to the attainment of certain goals I had set for myself. It was a great experience overall, so much so, that I did it again immediately upon completion. I have been holding these ideas close to my heart as I have navigated the last few months of my life. Thinking abundantly about building my business, being a mother, a wife, and trying to find time for self-care.
Fast forward to today, March 21, 2020. We are in “safer at home” mode. Coronavirus is driving world-wide fear, panic, and isolation. A very stark comparison to the abundance I had previously been feeling. This is scarcity, at its finest. People are hoarding groceries and toilet paper. People are hiding, looking at each other like they could literally kill them if they got too close.
I temporarily closed my business and found myself reeling in this dichotomy. My heart didn’t want to go back to the scarce place I often found myself before my meditation challenge. Abundance was feeling so good! It was working! But the news was on repeat and my brain was listening and getting more and more worried and then just plain scared. Would I get the virus? Would I survive it? Would my family get it? Would they survive? Would my business close permanently? Would all of my blood sweat and tears be wasted? Would the world implode? Would we cease to exist? And on and on and on…
The days have all been a little different since Covid-19 came into our lives. Some days, I have felt hopeless, angry, sad, and scared. But the past few days I’ve been able to tap back into that abundant mentality and even hold onto it a little. Not allowing myself to entertain scarce thinking, And again, it’s working! I have actually felt moments of excitement! I know this sounds weird. To be clear, I am in no way excited about people dying or suffering. I feel very deeply for those who are losing loved ones, or are unable to receive the care they need, or are unable to pay their bills or provide food for their family. And those on the front-line are absolute heroes who will undoubtedly suffer the trauma of this nightmare long after it has passed.
But I am excited that we are witnessing a turning point. There cannot be flow without ebb, gains without setbacks. This balancing act is the very premise of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). We are learning, from this terrible moment in time, how to better prepare for such waves of illness. We are learning that we need to prioritize proper hygiene practices, time with family, and making healthy choices. We know, more than ever, that we need to minimize stress, bolster our immune systems, and encourage our neighbors to do the same.
So yes, I am feeling excited and optimistic and committed to manifesting a world where we don’t have to live in fear of a virus or each other. And in the coming weeks, I am going to be exploring some of the themes around what we are witnessing and not only the impact, but the action we can take to improve our own health and the health of our greater communities.
I will, of course, be looking through the lens of TCM, as I believe now more that ever in its ability to heal our communities. But I will also be offering up a myriad of other ideas and modalities worth exploring as we seek optimal health, balance, and ABUNDANCE!!
Iris Martin is a Licensed Acupuncturist in Pasadena, California specializing in pain management and fertility. She loves sharing her passion for natural approaches to health and wellness through her online articles and at her clinic at 501 S. Arroyo Parkway. Call 408-780-0443 to book an appointment.