It was my fourth trip to the grocery store in the past ten days.
Even in that long time, the scene was mostly the same. Fruits and veggies were pretty well stocked.
But, canned goods were basically empty. Same with the pasta aisle. Fresh meat cases completely bare. Bread was hit or miss. Toilet paper shelves had tumbleweeds on them once again…ten days later. Ten days!?!
It’s enough to make me anxious. People walking around the store, shopping with masks and gloves, looks of mistrust.
Where did everything go? Why is there nothing left?
Early on in this coronavirus crisis, I listened to a podcast by Lewis Howes. I was still going in to my job at that point, so it was only a week ago (but wow it seems like so much has happened in that week). I was listening to “8 Ways to be Calm and Prepared During a Crisis.” It was number 8 that stood out to me the most: Keep giving. Howes talks about how important it is to stay in an abundant mindset, even when (maybe especially when) things are scarce.
But it’s not just an abundance of things he is talking about. He talks about time, energy, effort, love for people we know and even people we don’t. He told a story about an exchange with a stranger in an elevator. Instead of ignoring the person at this awkward time, he made the effort to talk to them and share just a word or two of general encouragement. We are all in this mess together (even if we have to stay physically separated from most).
I took his advice this week. Every morning as I was out riding my bike or running, I made it a point to say a clear “good morning” to everyone I passed. I looked them in the eye. Many were surprised, but most responded. During the day, I reached out to colleagues just to check in and say hello. I tried to text my gym friends, since many of us have stopped going and I want to encourage them to stay active and connected. I had longer talks with both of my brothers than I have had in months. I wrote letters and started creating artwork to send to people I can’t see or who might need a lift.
Abundance happens to be a common theme in the book I am reading right now, too: “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero. More on that later, but continuing to work on my inner dialogue about what my purpose is and what is available to me is a big challenge. I do think I happen to be reading this book right now for a reason. I have never had an abundance mindset, which is reflected in my home, my income, how much I eat, how much I spend, and all kinds of other ways. I have always been worried I will run out of things. But, as I have been working on for years, I am rewriting my story toward a more magnificent ending. This is one doozy of a chapter for me, and for many of us.
How about you? How can you come from a place of abundance when we are faced with possibly having less, earning less, even trusting less and connecting less? What do you have to give abundantly? We all have something, even many things. Who can you lift today? Share your story in the comments.
2 Chicks and a blog 