The Coronavirus or #COVID19 is highly contagious, spreading death, disease, and fear all over the world. For all of us in some way, it has caused outright panic with grocery stores running out of toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and food stables. There have been widespread cancellations, economic setbacks, extensive handwashing, and handwringing. No movies, no concerts, and no parties.
Social distancing is the new normal. Right now, we are all in our corners, waiting to see how things “shake out.” Fear is trying to rule, but we are all looking for positive, peaceful ways to cope and to connect. Prayer, meditation, and the emergence of spring have helped.
I am following the example of Grace, the tabby cat, I inherited from CCL. She is content to do her morning meditation in my back yard. She also joins me when I am seated on the living room sofa – “her spot.”
My church holds daily prayer calls, many religious institutions and fitness centers have moved to online support, and Zoom “happy hours” are being held on a regular basis.
In my Brookland, Northeast Washington, DC neighborhood, we are, as in most of the nation and the world, practicing “social distancing,” but folks on my block join in a daily “Dance Party” party. One neighbor uses his Bluetooth speaker on his porch to blast music while and we all dance either on our porches or up and down the sidewalk of our street. Today he played several songs from “Frozen” for the children and some Disco jams for the adults.
There is also the wonderful DJ D-Nice, who holds a daily jam on Instagram (@dnice). The party has a strong celebrity presence, including Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Oprah, J-Lo, Lionel Richie, Quincy Jones, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Demi Lovato, actor Donny Wahlberg, and Chuck D.
Music is a universal healer.
Grace the cat gets her groove on with DJ D-Nice too!
