Remaking Our World: Coronavirus, Hope, and Future Society
*Written by Cristina Deptula of Authors, Large and Small.
Coronavirus has radically shifted our lives and schedules. Now that we’re three months in to shelter in place in many metro areas, people are beginning to speculate on how society might reshape itself after we survive this pandemic.
A few of the authors we represent, as literary publicists with Authors, Large and Small, have written pieces inspired by the psychological experience of quarantine. Our final author, James Mueller, shares his personal healing practices that may help in this time of collective grief.
James Mueller, a father of three children, grew up on a dairy farm in the beautiful countryside of Upstate New York in the heart of the Mohawk Valley. After graduating from Cornell University, he attended seminary, obtaining a master's degree with high honors with an emphasis in pastoral care. With his son's condition challenged by the harsh winters in Chicago, the family moved to Delray Beach, Florida, where Jim established his consulting firm in 2005, providing governance, organizational development, and philanthropy counsel to organizations throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
He's the author of the memoir Lyrics of a Broken Heart, available here.
The loss of a loved one leaves a gaping hole in our psyche and emotions. The one we loved has suddenly become untangled from our lives, leaving us to wonder how to respond, how to feel. “When I was troubled, I used to push against you and find a solid place in the shifting sands of my world. I push now and no one pushes back. I’ve lost sense of my boundaries, of who I am, of my place in the world.”
In our isolation, as many of us are alone “sheltering in place,” our fears and anxieties can become magnified. They pulsate in our bodies; they throb in our minds. Our sense of self falters, our faith wanes. We wonder if it will ever end—or if we will ever recover. If we will ever again know who we are. Our thoughts can become dark as our anxieties rage… and our bodies can ache from the constant sadness we feel.
For those who have lost a dear loved one in this time of great uncertainty, we must first recognize that we are especially vulnerable to this downward spiral. Not only has our inner life been shattered, our outer life has become unhinged by something beyond our control. As we struggle to understand who we are in a world without our loved one we are also confronted by the doubts and anxieties of a world we had never imagined.
When I lost my son, I noticed there were times when I would stop breathing, lost in thought, lost in the loss. It literally took my breath away.
Breathing is the connection between our spirit and our bodies. Breathing animates our life. Without our breath, our heart is useless because it cannot circulate this spirit of life to the cells that form each and every organ. Breathing in is inspiration, breathing out is expiration. Every moment we need to take in a new breath of fresh air.
Few realize the importance of being able to control how we breathe. Think about the extraordinary power we hold in that simple act. How we breathe affects our minds, our emotions, our bodies, and our health. In these troubling times—especially for those of us who have lost a loved one, mindful breathing can pull us out of the doldrums, offer us peace, and even lift our spirits.
In any moment, in whatever frame of mind you are in, you can give yourself the gift of mindful breathing. Take a moment right now. Place your non-dominant hand over your navel and your dominant hand over your heart. Now, take a breath by just letting your stomach relax into a paunch. Feel your non-dominant hand move gently out through a count of five. Hold it for a moment and then gently release your breath for another count of five as your stomach gently moves inward. Do not force. Allow. Your body wants to breathe. While you are doing this, pay subtle attention to your dominant hand to ensure that your chest does not expand or contract; only your stomach. In just a few moments your mood will improve, your mind will find peace.
This is a basic breathing exercise and there are many others that you can learn to manage your mind, emotions, and physical health. There are breathing exercises for sleep, for meditation, for inspiration, even for alternate states of mind. Managing your breathing is the simplest and most powerful tool you have to help you feel better. If you are feeling particularly stressed, practice this exercise as often as needed. There are absolutely no harmful effects.
Coronavirus has radically shifted our lives and schedules. Now that we’re three months in to shelter in place in many metro areas, people are beginning to speculate on how society might reshape itself after we survive this pandemic.
A few of the authors we represent, as literary publicists with Authors, Large and Small, have written pieces inspired by the psychological experience of quarantine. Our final author, James Mueller, shares his personal healing practices that may help in this time of collective grief.
James Mueller, a father of three children, grew up on a dairy farm in the beautiful countryside of Upstate New York in the heart of the Mohawk Valley. After graduating from Cornell University, he attended seminary, obtaining a master's degree with high honors with an emphasis in pastoral care. With his son's condition challenged by the harsh winters in Chicago, the family moved to Delray Beach, Florida, where Jim established his consulting firm in 2005, providing governance, organizational development, and philanthropy counsel to organizations throughout the United States and the Caribbean.
He's the author of the memoir Lyrics of a Broken Heart, available here.
The loss of a loved one leaves a gaping hole in our psyche and emotions. The one we loved has suddenly become untangled from our lives, leaving us to wonder how to respond, how to feel. “When I was troubled, I used to push against you and find a solid place in the shifting sands of my world. I push now and no one pushes back. I’ve lost sense of my boundaries, of who I am, of my place in the world.”
In our isolation, as many of us are alone “sheltering in place,” our fears and anxieties can become magnified. They pulsate in our bodies; they throb in our minds. Our sense of self falters, our faith wanes. We wonder if it will ever end—or if we will ever recover. If we will ever again know who we are. Our thoughts can become dark as our anxieties rage… and our bodies can ache from the constant sadness we feel.
For those who have lost a dear loved one in this time of great uncertainty, we must first recognize that we are especially vulnerable to this downward spiral. Not only has our inner life been shattered, our outer life has become unhinged by something beyond our control. As we struggle to understand who we are in a world without our loved one we are also confronted by the doubts and anxieties of a world we had never imagined.
When I lost my son, I noticed there were times when I would stop breathing, lost in thought, lost in the loss. It literally took my breath away.
Breathing is the connection between our spirit and our bodies. Breathing animates our life. Without our breath, our heart is useless because it cannot circulate this spirit of life to the cells that form each and every organ. Breathing in is inspiration, breathing out is expiration. Every moment we need to take in a new breath of fresh air.
Few realize the importance of being able to control how we breathe. Think about the extraordinary power we hold in that simple act. How we breathe affects our minds, our emotions, our bodies, and our health. In these troubling times—especially for those of us who have lost a loved one, mindful breathing can pull us out of the doldrums, offer us peace, and even lift our spirits.
In any moment, in whatever frame of mind you are in, you can give yourself the gift of mindful breathing. Take a moment right now. Place your non-dominant hand over your navel and your dominant hand over your heart. Now, take a breath by just letting your stomach relax into a paunch. Feel your non-dominant hand move gently out through a count of five. Hold it for a moment and then gently release your breath for another count of five as your stomach gently moves inward. Do not force. Allow. Your body wants to breathe. While you are doing this, pay subtle attention to your dominant hand to ensure that your chest does not expand or contract; only your stomach. In just a few moments your mood will improve, your mind will find peace.
This is a basic breathing exercise and there are many others that you can learn to manage your mind, emotions, and physical health. There are breathing exercises for sleep, for meditation, for inspiration, even for alternate states of mind. Managing your breathing is the simplest and most powerful tool you have to help you feel better. If you are feeling particularly stressed, practice this exercise as often as needed. There are absolutely no harmful effects.
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