How are we doing, folks? (COVID-19 & what's ahead)
Wow. What a week…month…year it has been. Yes? I hardly know where to start.
I certainly hope you are well as you read this and that you are hunkered down at home as much as you possibly can be. A special shout out to all the healthcare workers, grocery and pharmacy employees, janitorial and cleaning staffs, public service and utility employees, and other essential workers who are keeping things going right now.
To the rest of us: Let’s continue to stay home for them as they continue to go to work for us. Physical distancing <=> Social solidarity.
Obviously plans––personal and professional––have changed (and continue to change) in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. This unprecedented situation has overcome our already-broken systems and pushed us as individuals to places we’ve never been before. And I’m seeing bits of both the best and worst of humanity in response. Underneath the chaos and on the other side of survival mode (whenever we can get there) I do think there is a real and much needed opportunity to reevaluate the cultural norms and values that many of us have taken for granted before all of this. Hopefully our eyes are being opened to what is most important and to what sort of social safety net we must create as a country to protect us from this sort of threat––as it surely will not be a one-time anomaly. There will be a time to dive fully into those conversations, but that time is not now.
It’s time for triage.
It’s time for grief.
It’s time for adjustment––allowing ourselves and others as much space as possible to do that gradually and imperfectly.
What can I offer you?
Just a few thoughts, updates, and resources…
Coloring Pages
If you’re stuck at home and need a stress-relieving activity to pass the time, I’ve made these Enneagram coloring pages for us! Just click here to download and print the FREE 17-page PDF. If you color, feel free to share your sheets online with the hashtag #EnneaColoring. I can’t wait to see them!
Event plans
All of my Enneagram events in March and April have been postponed, and I am working on rescheduling those or moving them to a digital platform. I’ll continue to keep you updated via my website, social media channels, and email list.
These aren’t just business decisions for me. I think continuing our work with the Enneagram, as able, can equip us to manage ourselves and our relationships during this time of acute stress. As I’m able, I want to continue creating opportunities for us to connect and learn together.
March Enneagram Meet Up
One thing I know for sure:
The monthly Enneagram Meet Up scheduled for Thursday March 26th will happen online via Zoom! This month we'll check in about how everyone is doing re: the COVID-19 outbreak and talk about some things we can do to manage ourselves in these challenging circumstances.
Our time together will be a bit shorter than usual, 30-40 minutes, so make sure to jump in on time if you can. As always, come with your thoughts and questions! Can't wait to "be" together soon. Click to RSVP and get the meeting link.
Resources
I’m not going to pretend to know what you need right now. I hope you’re first and foremost listening to public health officials and the guidelines they put forth. However, if you’re like me, you may be looking for additional information and support at this time.
As of today, here are a few of the conversations, podcasts, or videos I’ve found most helpful. I hope they can be valuable for you as well.
Ask Science Mike
“COVID-19: What do we know and what we can do?”
Science Mike (Mike McHargue) shares 3 steps people can take to help reduce the impact of this growing pandemic, as well as what we know about the disease from a scientific perspective.
Enneagram Mapmakers Podcast
“COVID-19: Thoughts on Solidarity and Self-Care in Uncertain Times”
In this episode, Chris guides us through the Enneagram as a tool of contemplation and mindfulness. He offers hope-filled type specific advice for staying grounded in the midst of these confusing and concerning days. Together with his wife Phileena, they end with a solidarity player, an alternative liturgy in a time of uncertainty.
Unlocking Us with Brene Brown Podcast
“Brene on FFT’s”
“In this episode I talk about my strategy for staying in tough first times versus tapping out and shutting down. When we get to the point that we only do things that we’re already good at doing, we stop growing. And truly living.” —Brene Brown
Another Name for Everything Podcast
“Finding Presence in the Midst of a Pandemic”
In light of the crisis facing our world with the pandemic, COVID-19, Fr. Richard Rohr and his team take a break from airing Season 3 of the podcast to reflect on the reality around us.
The Rachel Maddow Show
Podcast, TV, or Online
I can’t recommend Rachel’s show highly enough as a place to get up-to-date, accurate information that is clearly presented in context, with the experts, and from a source that cares. Rachel’s work pre-media career was in public health activism during the AIDS epidemic, so in addition to her experience as a journalist and Rhode’s scholar with a doctorate in Political Science, she’s uniquely positioned to understand and report on this pandemic.
I hope any or all of the above might offer you something helpful in this moment. Stay in touch, folks. Let me know what kind of conversations you want or need to be having. I’d love to be a part of them.
Take care,
Sarah