Would you like to just “cope” with the lockdown or would you prefer to thrive during lockdown?

Could this adversity become an unexpected opportunity?

I have found that re-framing this situation as an opportunity to deepen my compassion, kindness and self-care has been a way to keep a positive attitude whilst others may be struggling to come to terms with the confinement.

In every adversity, there is always a gift of growth. When we look for (and find) the gift of growth, the challenge transforms into an opportunity to learn more about ourselves, to learn more about others and to find a deeper level of peace, joy and love within ourselves.

Could we actually even find a new level of freedom through our physical confinement?

Could we find more spaciousness within ourselves, even as we lack physical space?

Could we find deeper connections even when we are physically and socially distanced?

I believe so.

I think it comes down to the questions we ask of ourselves. If you ask a question, your mind is hardwired to seek out an answer. So if you ask negative questions it finds negative answers…

If you ask “how am I going to get through this hardship?”

“How am I going to cope without…….?”

“When will this end so that I can fill my days again with lots of things to keep me busy?!”

“Why are so many people having to suffer?”

You are going to feel a sense of lack, loss and yes, even grief. Which if you have hidden trauma of loss or grief… well yes .. you’re going to bring all that back up too. You may not understand why you feel such grief over the lack of a small everyday item during lockdown, but that everyday item is just a trigger stemming from a previous much deeper loss/sadness/grief which was never processed.  The loss of the everyday item is pointing to something deeper for you to heal. But, this might be too painful to deal with by yourself in the middle of lockdown, so although I always believe “now” is always a good time to start healing, you may not know where to start… So let me offer a simple place to start; by asking yourself more positive questions. 

When you ask positive questions, you may be surprised to find beautiful answers.

You could ask, “How can I grow and deepen my appreciation of life through this experience?”

“How can I experience deeper appreciation of all that I do have rather than what I don’t have?”

“Where is my joy? If it’s inside of me then can I am can be joyful no matter where I am or what I’m doing?”

“What can I do to alleviate my own suffering? Others suffering right now?”

You mind will become your friend not your enemy if you feed it positive questions, because it will find you positive answers.

You can change everyday experiences into something extraordinary!

Take a simple bubble bath, I was lying amongst the warm soothing bubbles when I noticed how much the bubbles sparkled! They looked like tiny diamonds and I said gleefully to myself, “Look at me! I’m so rich, I bathe in diamonds!” and how I laughed! Now, even a simple bath is transformed into a place of joy and abundance!

What have you been doing to grow yourself and bring joy to yourself  and others through this experience? Share them here… lets inspire each other!