I M Perfect lady

Solved a Problem

It was so weird to see empty shelves in the grocery store and fairly crowded isles.  

People stockpiling their cupboards for the unknown that is to come.

And, I will admit, I too added a few extra items, to fatten up our shelves. But mostly it was my weekly shopping trip.  

 

The over shopping was fueled by the run on toilet paper.  

 

We are all envisioning the empty shelves increasing, and it seems there are other items that are going the way of toilet paper.

 

I have not experienced this panic before.

Part of me wants to prepare,

and the other part wants to be the calm in the storm.

To be reasonable with the unknown.

 

We haven't lived through a pandemic, or even extreme shortages, and we haven't been asked to survive with minimal resources.

 

I have been listening to many different podcasts on the topic of the virus, and what we can expect and/or do.

 

The one I loved today was with Tim Ferris and Jack Kornfield "How to Find Peace Admist  COVID 19".

 

So, we are being asked to be less social, to spend more time alone and at home.  There are many things we can do during this time that will impact our lives in a positive way.

 

We can see it as being on retreat.  On doing things at a slower more relaxed pace.  Using this time as spare time.  Time to do things we typically have no time to do.  

We can meditate, write, do art, and enjoy time with ourselves and those we live with.  Taking a break from social commitments and life that often flows at speeds that make us breathless.  Use this as a relaxing resting time. We now have a real reason to be alone.

 

This may also be the time to practice letting go of control and focusing on the present moment and what we have, and how we are today.  

Acknowledging the fear; but not giving it too much attention. 

Rather focus on what this extra time and space is offering us.

 

What I mostly do not want to do is be part of the panic and rush, that is emptying out the shelves to hoard items at random.

 

This is asking each of us, do you want to be part of the panic or the calm in the storm?

What can we do that is reasonable, and even helpful.  Who can we help and how?

I would rather find alternative ways to replace toilet paper, than be that person who has cases – in case.

 

We need to think outside of the box, to explore and expand the way we see things. 
Most of us could live for weeks on what we have in our cupboards, me included. But, we may have to get inventive on what we eat and how much.

 

I am one of the few, who would love to be told to stay home for a few weeks.  There are projects upon projects I could work on and quilts and art and things I could explore.

We seem to panic when others panic, instead of going against the grain. 

Let's all try and tackle this virus with calm and reason.  And, to know there are many different ways in which we can move through this challenge.  We can either be part of the problem or part of the solution.

We can restrain the impulse to join the panic and lean towards reasonable.

 

This whole toilet paper deal feels like a visual example of what a panic thought does. It focuses on the wrong thing, and acts in ways that don't make sense, to the reality of what is truly going on.

The one panic thought, leads to another and it follows folks who are acting unreasonable.

Having an excess of toilet paper will not protect you from the virus.

 

Mostly, what we need to focus on, is what will protect us from panic.

Being in the present and maybe even believing we will be okay; that we will know what to do when the time comes.  Trying to guess or know what is unknowable, is where the anxiety lies.

Instead believe in you and your ability to adapt to what it will require of you.

Calm is knowing you will be okay, no matter what.  

Panic has never solved a problem.

 

(I had to look up panic "sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety, often causing wildly unthinking behavior." Hence the run on toilet paper.)

 

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Published by

bjukuri

Responses

  1. Ann Avatar
    Ann

    My sister just posted photos of Sam’s Club in Traverse City. She went to do her regular shopping: zero toilet paper, zero bread, and the meat case had about five pieces of meat. Pitiful. What are people thinking?
    Any thinking human being has to be a little concerned about the Covid-19 virus and it’s ramifications. The problem is, we are quite limited in what we can do to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Good ole soap and water…..–and washing your hands, who would think such an old fashioned, simple item as soap would be important? Are people buying soap? I am hearing stories of store clerks being yelled at because the store has no more hand sanitizer— even now, people want the modern solution. I am amazed that people are not hoarding soap.
    Situations like this bring out the best and the worst in people. I hope I can mingle with the “best people” and avoid the worst people and their actions as much as possible. This pandemic should remind us all to treat others as we would like to be treated. We are all along for the ride, now.

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  2. I M Perfect Avatar
    I M Perfect

    Yes, it is very crazy how it seems to be working. How the shelves are getting bare, and the things they are hoarding.
    We can’t know how this will all unfold, all we can control is our behavior.
    In every crisis, there are those who stand out – it just depends in what way.

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  3. Joanie Avatar
    Joanie

    The photos of those shelves bare at Traverse City Costco gave me a foreboding feeling of how panic instills selfish and protective behavior for one’s interest only. The shelves were bare of TP at our local Escanaba Aldi’s, Walmart, Meijer stores. I have to worry what else people would do to save themselves? This is an example of how people might react in a time of war….this is the type of panic that allowed Germany to convince the heads of state and political bodies to allow the Jews to be captured, their property plundered and to kill millions of innocent people. This is the type of panic that allows the dictators of the world to create panic and fear in order to control the masses…turn each other against their neighbors and listen to the Dictator who spews forth lies (fake news for real) and has enough greedy people behind him that stand to gain wealth and power via their propaganda. I am with Annie who wrote….why not the rush on plain ordinary soap? That would be so logical and so much less expensive and lasts a long time. When our leader (who no doubt has been tested multiple times) loudly proclaims he does to have to self-isolate to show his followers how powerful he is, creates mindless belief in his actions and words and allows others to think of only themselves. I am so with you Beth, try to do the best we can with this time to take care of tasks we otherwise put off, do some art, read and listen to music, go outdoors and get some fresh air. Focus on what is dear and near to your heart, those you love and friends you treasure. Act with calmness in the best manner you can and believe that isolation does not mean to cast aside all concern for others. Be safe and keep your mind on the whole picture, not toilet paper that won’t stop the virus.

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  4. I M Perfect Avatar
    I M Perfect

    The panic you write about is what I was feeling the tip of the iceberg as I shopped. Seeing the empty shelves shows such greed and selfishness. That fear is so unhealthy for all of us. And, it is easier to control people who are in fear; compared to people who are not.
    Fearful people believe things and do crazy things a rational mind would not do.
    It is shocking to see it in action.
    I have never underestimated the power of the confused mind.
    I too will do more of what I love in the spaces that have opened up.

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