A Virtual Hug During the COVID Era

We are a quarter of the way through a year where the pace of change in the world has exceeded anything most of us have ever experienced.   I don’t know about you but I have been finding the emotional peaks and valleys a bit disorientating at times. The news cycle continues chugging along, bringing with it emotionally laden stories of a world fiercely battling an invisible killer.  At the same time we’ve seen amazing displays of humanity, kindness and selflessness.  

We are distanced physically, each navigating our own smaller world of learning to cook ourselves three meals a day, to transform our living rooms into offices and classrooms, to cohabitate with little personal space and time to ourselves, host virtual game nights and to generally stay afloat through a period of great upheaval.  

I once listened to a podcast where Boston-based psychiatrist, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, was making the case that stress hormones actually help us in that they “give us the energy to cope with extreme situations.” He said the problem comes when we are unable to use this energy to take action.  This is exactly the dilemma we are faced with right now. So many of us desperately want to help but there isn’t all that much that can be done while still adhering to CDC guidelines intended to slow the spread of COVID.  

That being said, the sun continues to rise everyday and the world keeps turning.  If you’re reading this, it means you have survived 100% the challenges you have faced in life and in the COVID era.  And we are so glad you are here. The most important thing you can do right now is to take care of yourself.... physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. That act alone is a gift to yourself and the world.  

We tend to think of uncertainty in a negative light.  While it does pose many challenges; if the future is uncertain, it also means there is space for us to exert our influence. This is an argument that author Rebecca Solnit has spent a good deal of her career articulating.  Her comments on the current state of the world have helped me to reframe this crisis and the role I wish to play in it. 
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“These are not things we would choose, but suddenly they're with us. And within them there are real possibilities to connect in different ways. There is a way that the old stabilities break up and that can be terrifying when you see systemic failure, government failure, institutional failure, inadequate medical supplies and protective gear in these cases, the financial emergency so many are facing.
But there's also the possibility of radical change because many of these things — financial desperation and inequality and, you know, callous and selfish government — were already with us. And now we're looking at them in a kind of stark new light. And there is a real possibility of change. Disasters shake things loose. And the things that we regarded as fixed and unchangeable can suddenly be changed. It's been fascinating seeing people in power suddenly say, ‘Well, actually, we can put all these homeless people up in hotels. Actually, we can change unemployment insurance and sick leave. Actually, we can find $3 trillion to throw at a problem.’
You know, this sense that suddenly everything can be profoundly different because something terrible has happened does remind us that everything can be profoundly different, maybe even not just because something terrible has happened. The powerful are often scrambling to restore a status quo that worked very well for them. The less powerful are often saying, ‘Wow, everything has changed. We're not ready to change it all back.’”

​All this goes to say that the road ahead of us is long.  And while we are limited in what we can do right this minute, there will be much for us to do in the future. So the best thing we can do right now is follow the guidelines intended to slow the spread of COVID and take care of ourselves so that we have the strength and energy to influence how we rebuild from this tragedy. This is our job right now and although it may not feel like much its importance cannot be understated. 


Here are a few things that have been helping me during this time….. ​

• Tuesday and Thursday morning yoga with BAG staff and volunteers

This has honestly helped me even more than I thought possible.  I feel the weight of having so many people I care about so deeply in Mass, a state that is so badly hit by COVID.  I may not have actual family here in Mass but the BAG family of volunteers, farmers, and agency staff I have developed means so much to me. Being able to see and check in with some of you before an hour of yoga together makes a world of difference to my mood and outlook.  And listening to Tess's soothing voice as she guides us through breath-work doesn't hurt either! I hope you will consider joining us.  We would love to see you. More info here.

• Reading books that help me to reframe the problem

Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster- Rebecca Solnit
Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities- Rebecca Solnit  
Braiding Sweetgrass- Robin Wall Kimmerer
We are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For- Alice Walker 
Sacred Economics- Charles Eisenstein 

Comment other book suggestions below! We'd love to hear what you all are reading to stay sane and hopeful.

• Starting seeds and tending plants 

There is something inherently grounding about having your hands in the dirt.  Not that I need to tell you that, as a gleaner you already know what I'm talking about there. But this year I decided to start a bunch of seeds with the intention of giving many of them away as seedlings.  It's a beautiful gift while also very practical.  You could also take the "grow-a-row" approach if you are in the luxurious position of having garden space and grow some extra veggies with the intention of donating them.  In fact, if you're interested we have a bunch of extra seed potatoes on hand and would be happy to pass them on to you to plant in your own garden. Get in touch with me ASAP! 

I want you to know that we are working on crafting policies and procedures that will allow us to continue our gleaning activities safely this summer.  So *fingers crossed* that will also be an option of a tangible activity you can partake in in a few months time.  I also want you to know that while we are busy responding to the current crisis, we think of you all so often! Please reach out and let us know if you need anything, we will find a way. 

Sending all our love & virtual hugs.  See you soon.

Charlotte 

P.s. don't forget to comment book recommendations and other wellness tips below so we can all benefit from each others wisdom.