What I learned from Covid

For two years my family escaped Covid. Then my daughter finally caught it at Easter and after that, we all fell like dominoes, one after another.

The physical symptoms weren’t too bad, and I was grateful I had been doing a seasonal detox the week before to cleanse and revitalise my system.

But what I found most surprising - and challenging - was how Covid destroyed my zest for life.

As someone who is usually brimming with ideas and loves to serve others through my creations, it was a shock to find myself so unmotivated and disinterested in life.

I honestly couldn’t see the point in what I was doing and I felt like giving it all up. Everything I’d been building for the past ten years with my healing business - I was ready to throw it all away.

So I allowed myself time to go within and reflect. I cancelled classes and sessions and I trusted that if I went quiet for a while, people would still be there when I emerged.

I asked myself one big question: What is it that makes life worth living for me?

It didn’t take long for me to come up with five elements that felt significant to me - maybe you can relate to these, or have others you can add that feel meaningful for you.

CREATIVITY: I’m a creator - we all are. Creation energy is the lifeforce that flows in our veins, and if we aren’t creating, we’re stagnating. Creativity doesn’t have to mean art or music, it can be business projects, cooking, gardening or simply any action that brings our energy into another form. I'm at my happiest when I’m writing, singing, creating a new program or meditation, or collaborating on a project with a friend. It’s such fun to create and it brings a sense of deep satisfaction and fulfilment that makes life worth living.

CONTRIBUTION: Serving others and knowing I’m making a difference is also really important to me. I believe we all need to feel that we are of value to others and the world. Acts of service and contribution might be making soup for a sick neighbour (a heartfelt thank you to my neighbours who shopped and cooked for us while we were unwell), fundraising or volunteering, offering coaching, healing or humanitarian work - or simply sharing a smile or a kind word with a fellow human. When I get too caught up in my own worries, I find that serving someone else can really shift me back into a sense of purpose and meaning in my life.

3. CONNECTION: Without a deep sense of connection to self, to nature and to tribe, life can feel lonely and difficult. Being connected to my own body and spirit is vital to keep me well in all aspects of my being and living in alignment with my deepest desires and aspirations. I love moments of solitude to connect with myself and my own inner wisdom, but I also relish connections with others - and with the vibrant world of nature - to nourish my soul and uplift my spirit. I’m blessed to have many wonderful people in my life all around the globe, as well as the vibrant beauty and energy of the natural world to hold me in the web of life. Taking time each day to connect to myself, to others and to nature keeps me grounded and inspired in this earthly existence.

4. CHALLENGE: While it’s important to me to orient towards ease in my life and not make things unnecessarily difficult or complicated, it’s also true that without challenges, life can seem stale and boring. Challenges help us to find deeper resources and growth edges within us, and once we’ve scaled one peak, we’ll probably want a new mountain to climb. I have a deep desire to discover more about myself and the world, and I know that rising to new challenges is a great way to become more of who I am and make the most of the adventure of life. Even if it’s scary at times!

5. CONTENTMENT: Much as I love the energy of creating, contributing, connecting with others and meeting new challenges, I also know I need to complement that with a sense of deep presence and contentment, being completely at peace with life exactly as it is. Contentment for me is that feeling of deep peace and inner happiness, where I feel supported by life and everything feels deeply sacred. I know I can find that contentment even in the bustle of activity and challenge, if I simply take a moment to breathe and come back to the present moment. Contentment is a choice as well as an experience - I can be deeply content with life as it is, while also honouring my creative inspirations and desires for new experiences.

Life pulses and so do we. Just as we constantly breathe in and breathe out, we also need to honour the pulsation of our own lifeforce between being active creators and contributors in the world and also resting in the stillness of being.

My experience with Covid allowed me to go more deeply within and connect with what really matters to me in my life.

It made me reflect on what keeps me showing up each day for myself, my family and my business.

I also recognised that it’s my responsibility to bring all of those elements into my life so that I can continually thrive as the most authentic expression of me.

I’m happy to report that my inspiration and creative urges have re-emerged after that quiet time of healing and reflection, and I feel excited again about all that is possible in life.

I hope that you too are excited about your life and know what makes you get out of bed each morning, ready for another day.

When we get really clear on that, no pesky virus or anything else can stop us from living to the full the magnificent adventure of our lives.

If you’d like to share your insights with me or discover more about how I can help you to thrive in your life, please get in touch.