Last week I asked friends to share five of their best #lockdown experiences. I was looking for inspiration and also to understand what we have learnt or understood while being in isolation. To my surprise, the vast amount of the replies were focused on the day-to-day events: such as running in the morning, teaching kids, singing and colouring - the ordinary things. Yes, there were some online courses that caught my eye, and I was looking forward to trying them out; however, the #simple #things we take for granted, captured my heart. Reading the replies, I saw how important mundane situations such as connect to our neighbours, wave to each other or to sit with ourselves. Many simple, almost banal activities made such an impact on us during the lockdown. And then the cherry on the cake came last night at our weekly Tarot reading when the Ordinariness card appeared in my reading.
Also, my trainer asked me to #walk every day this week for an hour alone, before breakfast to notice how my body feels, how I am. The most ordinary thing in the world. Or maybe not?
The definition of #ordinariness states it as the quality of being commonplace, being average, and not outstanding. So not a good start. It's not something we want to be associate with. I know I resisted living an ordinary life for a long time. I love #extraordinary. I can't imagine the #world without it. But since the lockdown, those awe-inspiring concerts, #theatre plays, gatherings, #travelling, #exotic #food tasting, they were not available anymore. Some of us couldn't even meet with other people until recently. Suddenly all we had was ourselves and if we were lucky (or not ) other family members. Of course, zoom classes flourished, online activity went through the roof. They made us laugh, cry, connect, and escape. I am indeed eternally grateful for Zoom.
But still, we might remember this lockdown for the ordinary things we did. I know I will. I will cherish the simple things like sunbathing, reading books, talking on the phone for hours, having a glass of #wine around the #fire, #laughing with my daughter, #simple #food, being with our #puppy, watching #movies and #dancing in the #garden.
Everyone has had a different experience of the lockdown: some worked harder than before, some lost their jobs, others saved lives while some continued as before. However, we all needed to get a bit more comfortable with housework, family members, a simpler, more ordinary life. I think that is a good thing. But how can we enjoy washing dishes? I hear you ask. Well, that is not as simple as doing dishes :)
" The small things of life have to be transformed by your inner transformation. Then everything becomes sacred. Taking a bath, making love, eating food, going to sleep. " Osho
Inner transformation is a life long process. Know yourself. Do whatever it takes to reach deep and see reality for what it is. There is a myriad of ways to do that. But until I reach that point, I will try enjoying hoovering, make it playful and see how it goes.
If you want to be inspired here are some of the things that help me on my journey so far: reading Osho, Vippasana Meditation, playing Osho Zen Tarot Cards with my friends, people that annoyed the hell out of me, family and willingness to do the work.
Love, Nora