Well its day 4 of the lockdown in the UK for the Coronovirus Crisis

I am living in a shared building with our own rooms and shared kitchens and thankfully so far nobody here has got the virus

I have been busy keeping my gratitude journal during this time noting three things every day that Im grateful for to counteract the often anxiety making news

Today I am grateful for the financial security not just for myself but for most people I know with the government paying sick pay and 80% of the wages for both the employed and the self employed. I am so grateful for having somewhere safe to live during this time with plenty to do, courses internet and art and even gardening. I live within walking distance of the sea so when I go for my permitted walk per day i can walk on the sea front within safe social distance of everyone else.

I am hoping that others are finding the crisis equally as comfortable and if your only issue is anxiety and fearing for the future I can help with that

A lot of this battle is not physical but is literally in our hearts and minds . Mindfulness helps with this to be fully present during this time is not putting anyone in danger but is ensuring that we can have the best life and best response to danger and adversity

There are also little tricks and activities which can be done not to pretend that there is no concern but to remain positive during even a lockdown.

One of which is try and nurture life – so much of our world is about buying and consuming which is essentially eating and taking constantly in a hungry basis – but some of what we do should also be about nurturing and giving life and joy to someone else, difficult when your on a social distance – you may do this in your work if your service based but it can be good to cultivate this life in your own sphere and environment as well.

One simple way to do this can be to plant some seeds – so while there is a focus on illness fear death dying and calamity in the media and on the news you can have a plant or two growing on your windowsill that you grew and cultivated and brought to life yourself

This plant or even tree can be symbolic of the light life and joy that you bring forth into your own life and into the world as opposed to just consuming and taking. The seeds you plant of harmony in the world as opposed to the turmoil.

In the UK M and S are even giving away free seeds with plenty of ideas on how to plant them and repot the plants and herbs https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/food-to-order/little-garden

There is also a wonderful meditation of hebrew chanting which is perfect to plant more love and joy into the world by Rabbi Shefa Gold

Or zarua laTzadik, u’l’yishray lev simcha

Plant the seeds of Joy and Light; Tend them carefully day and night,
In this soil so dark and deep, I plant the dreams that Love will reap

Planting Seeds of Joy and Light: Or zarua

The singing or chanting is a beautiful intention to sooth any worries and fears and to begin planting a good fruit to harvest later in the year both physically and spiritually once this lockdown and crisis is over.

Also beyond, simple things you can do is notice the beauty of the sky or the trees or the sunshine – share your bread with the birds, bake or cook something delicious and cultivate light joy beauty into present awareness to grow like seeds.