My Dear Creative Friends,
I’ve been trying to write how I REALLY FEEL about this current C-Situation. But like someone who has lost their voice, I haven’t been able to get the words out.
The world has changed overnight. I walk to the beach and see people wearing face masks, avoiding each other. My local Costco has a one hour wait in line for toilet paper. And my business has been impacted in a way that I never could have planned for.
Many friends have lost their jobs. Freelancers lost clients. This is the 2008 crash all over again, only now there’s also the fear of getting sick. And our physical connection with other people is no longer available to soothe us.
If you know me at all, you know I’m generally optimistic. But I have to admit, I’ve felt myself getting depressed.
Last week I was like a flower that had wilted. My physical energy was so drained that it was hard to take a walk. My most exciting business plans for 2020 have been cancelled and the concern for everyone’s health has my spirit shaken.
But I had to pull myself together, because I have a lot of people that rely on me. I’m still coaching artists and they need me at my best, more than ever. And, I am never going to give up on my art business because it’s what I love.
So, I did some inner work to change my physical and mental energy. I got myself back into a space of calm and peace, which opened me up to new ideas and solutions for myself and everyone else.
And I have a message for you, because this is what I am here on earth to do – to help people find their potential and find their way.
If you’re feeling scared, worried, broken, know this: you can turn this around.
There are many things that you CAN control right now. And there absolutely are opportunities available to you, RIGHT NOW, that you can generate for yourself.
But, you cannot create or grow from a place of FEAR. You cannot find solutions from a place of WORRY.
The most important thing you can do right now is to GET YOUR MIND INTO A STATE OF CALM.
And from THERE, you can create. You can solve problems. You can find your answers.
I have so much more to say on this, and I’ll write again another day to go into all of the opportunities that we have right NOW.
But first, get calm. Here’s how I got my mind and body and spirit back into a good place:
- I deleted the Facebook ap off of my phone (this works wonders!)
- I stopped checking the news
- I am now getting outside every day, to get sunshine and fresh air
- I forbid the C-word from being spoken in my home (I never say the word, and you shouldn’t either)
- I started journaling every single morning (with my cup of coffee)
One last thing, and it’s the most important thing you can do today: ONLY CONSUME UPLIFTING, HELPFUL CONTENT.
Stop consuming “the sky is falling” negative content. People who complain or are fear mongering should be off your list of people to follow.
Find those who are finding a positive way to navigate what is happening in our world.
And if you don’t know anyone, please JOIN ME on Instagram – I’m doing Live Videos every morning and if you miss it live you can watch the replay. I’m keeping it positive and realistic and helpful.
QUESTION FOR YOU: How are you holding up? Please scroll down and leave me a comment, share your thoughts. I really want to hear from you.
Stay safe my friends, stay positive, stay peaceful.
Love, Maria xxoo
PS: I created a 14 day “Daily Writing Practice” that starts on Saturday. I’ll be doing it with you LIVE via Zoom and it’s very affordable (I’m only charging what it costs me to have tech support and software). You can sign up HERE.
I am fortunate to live in a place where I can get outside and walk. I’ll get up first thing in the morning now this is so important and start my day out with my meditation, prayer, and then walking. I have turned off most social media most of the time. A great time to connect with old friends and with family by phone or FaceTime. And if I have to live without toilet paper…. I will be finding some creative ways to get around it. Oh, and I’m reaching out….. I’ve never done anything on YouTube. But I have taught children are in the past. I know how many people are stuck at home with their kids and not knowing what to do with them. So… I wonder if they will enjoy my short little video art lessons. Fun for me to do, and just a little something to contribute to helping out someone in need. My go to for encouragement is Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston… SiriusXM channel 128. I’m glad TV in most places, and on YouTube. 24 hour encouragement. I teach online to young children in China. I have been with their families as they struggle, or overcome by fear, then stayed home, and stayed home, and stayed home. Now some of them are going back to school. Their nation has largely won the battle. And primarily what they did was stay home, where a mask when you go out, wash your hands. As simple as that… And guess what, most of them live in high-rises. The children don’t have it yard… Can’t walk out the apartment door. Let’s be thankful for everything we have.
Carol, thanks for sharing your thoughts and your story. So glad you’re able to get out into nature. Those of us who can are very lucky right now!
Hey Maria,
I continue to say this but it is so true, every time I see you in my Inbox, my day gets brighter. I read your email today, twice, and after a stressful day because of _________ I have a smile on my face and I am going to switch from yucky work to working on my business (okay after a bite of supper). Thanks Maria!
Karen, THANK YOU! For confirming for me that my emails matter. I appreciate you sharing and reaching out to me on this blog. Glad you’re smiling. Feels good doesn’t it?! 🙂
This is certainly a challenge! All exibition venues closed, shows canceled and no event paintings or student lessons on my calendar. This will change. After a 3 am freak out, I’m trying to figure out what will be on the other side of this situation.
Where, what and how will people be wanting my skills or fresh art in their lives? How can I best be in position to be top of mind?
Carol, your concerns are so valid and real. Thanks for sharing. So much has changed so quickly – but for us creatives, we can change quickly also. The answers will come to you – get yourself grounded, reach for peace and then solutions come to mind. I’ll be writing about that soon, so stay tuned. xxoo
Hi Maria!
I am fortunate to have started teaching digital art at a high school and they put me on a salary a month before this. So thank goodness I have a paycheck and am able to teach online. Learning new ways of doing things is keeping me busy. I also have a nice yard to spend time in, 2 dogs and my twin daughters are home from college this year. I’m already a creative hermit so I just keep doing art projects, playing guitar and enjoying my family. I wish all the best for you and yours 💜
Julie Oakes
Juile, you have the best possible situation! So happy for you. Please help spread the positive vibes to all of your students – the world needs it now. Thanks for being here xxoo
Such good advice on keeping sane and continuing to enjoy everyday through this craziness. The outdoors has been my sanity, especially with all the cherry blossoms in bloom in DC. It is so beautiful! I have some paintings on my website, if you are interested https://www.jodiferrier.com/portfolio#/littles/. I love the reminder of daily journaling and will try to follow your lead although need to stay away from Zoom as it is something that I have discovered really stresses me out. But I look forward to following you on Instagram! Thank you and stay well.
Jodi, your paintings are beautiful! They inspire joy just by looking at them. xxoo
Maria I did a similar list!
It feels soooo good to quit reading the news-I remain noticeably more upbeat.
And making sure I continue to log in my gratitude journal.
This too shall pass!
Sending much love
xxx
Thanks Helen!
Hi Maria,
Thanks for the words of wisdom! I have been pretty optimistic about this whole Covid outbreak…Gives me time to cuddle with my hubby and 2 kitties…We watch movies, cook different dishes and when I feel like connecting with people, I share things on my FB , like art, animals and funny stuff…
Please stay healthy and safe, that goes for your beautiful family as well!
Much love to you…
Tina, yes, more cuddling time with those we love! Thanks for sharing the positive vibes.
Maria: This letter reminds me of the first time I met you, a dark night and you were blogging about childhood. It’s so damn weird I have been doing a mural on the outside of my house mostly made up so far of giant redwoods, because I miss California so much. I was looking yesterday for inspiration on what to do once I get to the side of the house. I wanted to paint mother earth. After a long search that didn’t really pan out I suddenly ran across Drew’s paining to Mother Earth and I was just shocked. How I wish you and Drew and your son were here with me to paint !!!! I am on lockdown here in Austin Texas we can’t go anywhere except possibly a walk in the park but it’s too risky. I am still frozen inside over this new illness and change in LIFE. The only thing I can say is our planet is getting a chance to breath since people can’t drive their cars all the time. Anyway yes we have to go on. I have my mural to work on everyday when I feel like it and I have also been doing smaller canvas inside the house. I’m glad you reached out today- were all going through huge changes. Thanks for your writing and we will all keep in touch. Tell Drew I really loved his artwork on Mother Nature- if I can’t get out in it I will paint the outside of my house to look like I am there- it’s really magical. I can’t paste my pictures here OH WELL. Hang in there. XXOX Cecilia
Cecilia, wow, thanks so much for writing! It’s amazing the synchronicity between you and Drew and me…. And yes, I agree, “our planet is getting a chance to breath” – a much needed thing.
Hi Maria and fellow artisans.
My business has definitely been impacted by this outbreak.
I have a retail operation where I produce “wearable art” for my customers on Long Island. I have filled orders for customers throughout the country, but 95% of my income comes from locals.
As you well know, all non-essential retail operations have been shut down until further notice.
When we were first given the shut-down order, we were hoping maybe 2 weeks. So we’d be back in operation by April 2nd.
Now with the schools not opening until maybe April 30th, I’ll be out of commission for over a month. Which it’s financially devastating to say the least.
I have the ability to take orders via online or by phone, but my business thrives on retail foot-traffic.
If Maria will permit me to share my page, feel free to check it out.
http://www.eastcoastbrushworks.com
Stay healthy everyone.
Anthony
Anthony, what you’re going through is what most of us are going through. And we are all in this together! Everything is going to be okay – our first order of business is to stay healthy and keep our spirits high. If I were you, I would focus on finding new ways to reach customers. You have a product that people want – so find new ways to reach the buyers. This BIG CHANGE is forcing us all to find new ways to do things.
Hi Maria! It’s been a while….but, as one person earlier said-when I see that email from you, my day brightens up. I work an ‘essential’ job as a social worker and I LOVE my job. When I think about the ripple effect that this is having on the world, it is hard not to feel empathy for others. Just when I thought of the rings around that first rock and how they have expanded, I hear another ring forming when I listen to people. I am practicing being truly empathetic with others because that is all I can offer right now. I plan on taking that check and sending all my friends who are now out of work and sending them either the money or something they need. This is what I can do for others for now. I have been through so many changes, most positive-I changed my life around to the positive just by changing my thought patterns. As I have always said, you are an inspiration to me to always try harder, do better, “be there”-to take that risk. What also has been helping is guided meditations by a local Shaman-at first it was weekly in his meditation room surrounded by others-now it is in FB-but I am grateful that he is still conducting them. I have immersed myself in the positive mental attitude. I can be here for others, even if it is virtual through a computer, until we get back to life-maybe not as it was-but as it will be-whatever we decide to make it! Thank you, sweet Maria, for being there for us all!
Emily, so good to hear your update! I love what you wrote: “I changed my life around to the positive just by changing my thought patterns” – this is what we all can do to re-create the reality we want. Inspiring!
Maria,
hang in there, Maybe we will all begin to appreciate our families and friends more with this time we are going through. I have lists going for future projects and the wife has lists for me to keep me on track and the house afloat. We begain having 4:00 cocktails while sitting in our own front yards with the neighbors in theres . In a weird way It has really brought us together. Thanks for your emails and kick ass inspiration!! i look forward to them.
Stephen, yes, in a weird way, this thing is helping people form much stronger bonds and have great compassion. Sometimes hard times end up with beautiful blessings.
I loved receiving your email today! I’ve been wallowing in self-pity and feeling depressed too. Its been a really challenging month for me even before the shutdown. Even my gratitude practice that gets me through EVERYTHING isn’t helping. What does help – expressing the frustration in order to let it go, soaking in the sunshine, chatting with friends, excitement of new opportunities arising from this shift, seeing kindness from the community. I’m looking forward to your writing sessions to keep that positive mindset going!
Thanks for the happy words, Ana. So glad that my email helped you just a little. The biggest problem we all face is the negative energy of fear and worry that is circulating – it’s hard to protect ourselves from it. But that is what we must do. I hope to see you in my 14 Day Writing Practice!
Thank you Maria! You are a joy. Feeling as you were and know I need to kick myself in the butt and find my creative space in this new world of being. My art kids need me and I need to find it fast.
WOW‼️ LUV YR SUGGESTIONS ON HW 2 REMAIN CALM, & POSITIVE, UNDER GLOBAL DURESS, & SHUT DWN 🎯👍🏼👌🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😇🌻🙏🏼❣️ YR SUGGESTIONS CLDN’T HV COME @ A BTTR X. I WS REALLY FEELING DWN, A FEW DAYS AGO. EVERYTHING IS CHANGING, THE WORLD SEEMS 2 B N A PANIC, OUR SM TWN OF “10k” HS “0” TP, PPR TWLS, & LYSOL WIPES, & IS ABT 2 ENFORCE A “TRAVEL BAND” 2 HELP AS A HEALTH PREVENTIVE \ PRECAUTION, ALL RESTAURANTS R CLOSED, AS WLL AS MANY OTHER BUSINESSES, & THE LIST GOES ON. AGAIN, “TY” SO MUCH 4 YR HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS 2 REGAIN A POSITIVE MINDSET, STAY CALM, & STILL DO WHAT U LOVE (“CREATE ART”) 🎯🎨🎨🎨❣️ GOD BLESS YOU, & YR FAMILY ✨🔯🌈😇🌻🙏🏼❣️
I have been faced with life challenges before and I usually dive into my artwork to help relieve the stress. This is different. I’ve noticed a shift in my response to this situation. My creativity is not flowing at all. To help regrouped myself I am doing my daily yoga and thoroughly cleaning and organizing my studio space. I am thinking and journaling of new ways to create and experiment with my art style. Adversity can be the parent of invention. We will all get through this. But we will need to be creative in ways we may never have thought we were capable and find new ways of connection with each other.
It’s a good thing I was checking my e-mail today. Your letter is touching and uplifting. the only news that i read is the local paper on Sundays.
Face book is kinda nutty now a days. Fortunate for me I am not addicted to the bombarded information that the television feeds us every day. The “C” word is crazy out there. Wishing you and your family to be safe. As far as my artwork I practice every day. always keeping busy
Maria,
What a wonderful idea to journal with coffee. I consider myself lucky I live within a large property in a rural area. I love being outside with the clouds, trees and birds and spending
time sharing territory with my horse meditating and dancing with him at dusk. I have two affectionate cats and I paint, draw listen to music. I am enjoying how time has slowed down. I am not keen on FB however so avoid it. Covid-19 is having such a dramatic impact globally however I find myself becoming curious about other life forms and their visual structures. It is so wonderful to be able to connect via the internet in various ways with other like minded people. thank you Maria for offering connection.
Thank you Maria. I love your list of the things you’re doing. I’m able to do those easily right now. Taking Facebook app off of your phone and stopping the news are good ones. I believe you are an empath and cannot easily ignore your feelings about what’s happening to others.
I flew from NH to AZ in early March because my husband and I bought our “soon to be” retirement home in Tucson. He stayed in NH to finish his job while working from home. He’s got health issues, so I don’t want to fly back and risk my passing anything to him. I would like to stay well too. Who knows how long we’ll need to be separated. We were planning on selling our NH house, but probably put on hold.
I’m not complaining. I’m blessed that my husband and I both are both in safe environments in our respective homes. We talk on the phone every night. The weather is beautiful in Tucson and I’m walking 3 miles daily.
I’m hearing that this has been a time to catch up on things we wanted to do but hadn’t made time for. A time to get close to those we love.
You are resilient and resourceful Maria!. I love that you care so much. Pure love conquers fear.
Thanks for taking the time to share these beautiful thoughts.
Hugs (virtual) Lori
Hi Maria
Thank you for being real with us artists. We need a voice of reason and that is you. I was totally worried at first but quickly did a pivot. As you know, since we are friends, I’m a big believer in the Law of Attraction so I don’t dwell on the negative. I believe it’s my job during this time to create fun happy art, to as many people as I can reach through Instagram and FB. I offer Free Shipping, and put my small pieces of art on SALE. The point is to keep moving art and product. The feedback is incredible and I have mostly repeat clients.
All artists need to sell online and if you show in a gallery tell them to lower your price and offer free shipping or curbside pickup. They can text photos to clients etc. Whatever works, we are all in it together.
Thanks Maria we all love you
Hello!
Maria, I am very glad to read your words. We need a positive approach, because this is the only way we can make our situation better!
I think that it is absolutely normal to feel the fear BUT the fear shouldn’t dominate our lives. To think clearly and act in reasonable, we should first of all stay calm. So, how I am holding up:
1. I stay calm
2. I don’t think about things I miss and don’t have, but I APPRECIATE what I have.
3. I make the best use of that what I have (in my case: I use my time for a good routine of creating as much as possible, learning new language and reading).
4. I don’t think about the future, because it is impossible to predict what exactly is going to happen with the world. Normally in my life, I do a lot of planning, I look for opportunities, I think about the future… but on the other hand, it is very hard for me to focus on the present moment. So, last days are actually like a good meditation: I am focused on PRESENT. Present simple 🙂
Hello dear Maria and everyone. The sky is still blue! 🙂 The stars are still bright! 🙂 The flowers still bloom! 🙂 And our hearts still beat with the pulse of Mother Earth! Our creativity is much stronger than we know..its just beginning…Maybe like children who play wild – they build and then they take it all down to build again…Maybe we all collectively are entering the new phase of creative self-expression with a deeper meaning that we thought possible. What world we would really love to live in? What places we would like our children to play and learn and grow up? Time to dream big! We have precious time for that now and yes, keep feeling calm. I experience this time as a blessing, a gift to pause, to choose again and to be. Our collective is so connected, no physical distancing or isolation can break this bond. Love and Peace to you all <3
Wow Maria, what an amazing post! Your words moved me. I am going through those depressing feelings and as I try my best to find my way out of this crisis, your message came as a cool Spring breeze. Thank you! Exercise is key to keep my sanity, but I need to do it more and to eat healthier. Big hug from Salt Lake City to you and your family.
Glery
Generations before us have faced such horrific events that seem to blast out of nowhere and affect everyone. The earth really is ’round’ and we are ‘one.’
We will get through to the other side of this–as humans always have–and perhaps we will learn truths and insights that we will need in order to survive into the far future.
Thanks, Maria, for reaching out. Virtual hug.
Maria, thanks for reaching out to encourage everyone! It is incredible how changed everyone’s lives are in this moment in history. I believe that on the other side we will emerge stronger individuals and as a nation because we are being challenged in many ways. Change changes us. It’s crazy how, though separated physically, we are uniting to beat this thing! You mentioned that there are some things we CAN control, and that is a beautiful thing to learn, as it also is to learn that there are things we cannot control and so it only adds harm to yourself and others to worry about them. We do what we can to help, but we cannot live in fear! I pray for the sick and those who’ve lost loved ones, for the lonely and those in need. And I trust Jesus bring beauty from the ashes. Peace to you and your family, Maria!
I enjoyed your perspective and also loved the perspective of your readers. In times like this I find myself being grateful, empathetic, reminded of how short life is and marveling in the moments. Though I know many who have lost their jobs, friends with friend who have passed because of this epidemic, uncertainty of the future and worry for our love ones…..I tend to look for the silver lining. For me, I feel at peace and more connected than ever with the things that mean the most. In the early stages, I had given up Facebook for Lent(with 10ish days to go). We stopped watching the news because we found it couldn’t be trusted and it always fed off the negative. 4 weeks of working from home and 3 weeks of digital learning, with no work travel for my husband or I, no after school activities 4 days a week for our 3 kids, no weekend games has given us a gift of time we may never see again. We are connected as a family, playing cards, working in the yard, talking, laughing around the dinner table. We are connecting with our neighbors as we walk our dogs and enjoy the beautiful weather outside. We are having more video meetings with employees and clients, we are face timing with our extended families more than ever(loved seeing all of you a couple of nights ago). A paradigm shift is happening forcing us to think differently, connect differently, allowing us to create new ideas and we are using different solving methodology. We are getting our rest and realizing history is always repeating itself and it is all out of our control. I find myself letting go, living in the present and enjoying every moment. Thanks for giving me a positive platform to share my perspective.
I am fortunate I live in a place where I can walk outside all year long. Summer a bit hot, but can get out early. I started teaching online one week into the shut down. I teach art meditation groups online. Its a place to relax, get in touch with your spirit and create your intention with a group of like mined people from arond the world. And its all oline and free. I welcome all of you tojoin me by just sendng an email to receive a ZOOM link of next group class. Its fun and lasts 90 minutes. Lift your day and mine with mindful heart practice of creativity.