It’s a question of balance,
It’s a balancing act
How do you know?
Are you in balance?
Or Out of balance?
Life is a precarious thing
Maybe we all just need a little rotation

Well, it’s the last Monday of March 2020 and as we make our way through this new and interesting world experience of Covid-19, almost everything has changed. How are you doing?

I won’t list all the changes, because there is plenty said out there about that. What I want to talk about is things that haven’t.

We have always had connection, and busyness, places to go and things to do. There has always been art and music and conversation and nature. However these two sentences have become reversed in importance in our lives. Now art and music are the things we turn to to fill our space and we are either creating them, or enjoying them using our devices to stream movies, virtual tours in galleries and museums, virtual concerts, TV, and more. Conversation is now more intimate, either with those we are isolating in our homes with or virtually on Zoom, Face time or Skype. Nature experiences are limited to our home gardens (if we are lucky enough to have them), our neighborhood walks, or maybe a drive somewhere with some time out away from civilization. Our pace of living has slowed down, we are getting organized, developing meditation practices or just snuggling with children, fur babies, or partners. There is no escape so we work out differences and become more tolerant of those we live with hopefully.

We really don’t know what our future is going to be, we are in uncharted territory, as they say. I find myself waking up in the night a little panicky because of the uncertainty. And what I keep coming back to at these times, that lets me relax and rest, is paying attention to the moment. Which is, I am healthy, and safe, and with people I love. I have art, and music, children playing, and all my friends who are at the other end of the internet connection. No matter how far apart we are, we are all in this together.

Change is hard, and that is the bottom line, and we are in a major change experience that will change us all forever. I cannot live in fear because that is not living. I choose to not fight this reset, but to use it to rebalance what is important in my life. As my poem says, maybe we all just needed a little rotation.

Making art is one of the things that has brought me sanity and joy for more times then I can count during my life. Allow yourself some creative time, whether it is drawing, painting, sculpting, making music, cooking, gardening or however you choose to create. And also don’t forget the artists around you, for they are the first responders in helping you maintain a sense of sanity and balance. Even adding a small piece of art to your collection at this time that can remind you of life, or joy, or peace, will not only help you to stay sane, but it will also support the creator in this difficult economy.

We will get through this and we can choose to make our lives and our world a better place if we work together and take care of each other. Have a good week and:

Be Well, and Have a Happy Day!

Cheryl

The above artwork is a graphite and colored pencil drawing by Cheryl McDonald and is available as a print at Saatchiart.com