Growing up my mom use to often use the words “njannies koepella”, mostly if we didn’t believe her about some important happenings in our lives such as the existence of Father Christmas for example. Her response to our suspicions usually went something like – “Ag man julle, of course he exists! “Njannies koepella”, do you really think your dad and I can afford these gifts? How else could they be here now if he didn’t bring it, hê?” For long my sister and I could be swayed/convinced by those two weird sounding words. As we grew older and our interactions with life grew more complex “njannies koepella” simply wasn’t enough anymore. We needed more to be convinced and comforted.
We have now entered day 5 of the 21-day lockdown and I’m sure for most people the reality is only now starting to sink in. Yip, it’s not a long weekend or the start of a holiday. We are really really in this weird, almost apocalyptic situation.
It seems as if the majority of people’s coping is to spend A LOT of time on-line, probably trying to get information about the lockdown etc. It also seems as if fake news abounds. No sooner have you read some “fact” or it’s debunked as fake. So, what should I do/think/behave/feel? This is normal behavior in abnormal circumstances. But what should we do? How do we cope? Should we cope?!
Gerda and I thought it may help if we post a few guidelines or tips so to speak as to how to try and approach these strange times we are in. We would like to suggest the following for the next 4-5 days –
– Try and keep a journal of some sorts about your thoughts, experiences etc
– Let’s do this in some structured way by focusing on specific themes
Theme 1: Stillness
The next four days let’s focus on stillness. Stillness means to be present, thoughtful, and reflective, it’s not about inactivity. Stillness may be described as the key to peace, clarity and happiness.
If you have ever concentrated deeply on a topic and suddenly came up with the answer, watched the ocean and felt its water sooth and caress you as you step into the waves and just marveled at that feeling of being alive then you have experienced stillness. Seneca, philosopher of the 1st century AD, believed that if people could find peace within themselves, they would still be able to think, work, and be well even if the world around them is at war.
How do we achieve this? Ryan Holiday in his book “Stillness Is The Key, Timeless Stoic and Buddhist Philosophy” give the following suggestions –
*Slowing things down and resisting our gut feelings can get us through the most difficult crises
Instead of rushing into a decision, try and stay reflective. Meditate on possible solutions/options, make time for peace and solitude (walk in the garden, watch a sunset, smell coffee brewing etc. and try and only focus on that sensation or moment).
*Be present and limit the inputs in your life
Attempt at staying focused, solely, on the present moment. Instead of taking a photo of a beautiful sunset simply appreciate it in the moment. This takes discipline! Use the “Do Not Disturb” function on your phone to block calls. Divert emails to subfolders. Unfriend toxic people who bring unnecessary drama to your life. Embrace a more philosophical, long-term perspective, rather than following the world’s events second by second. If we block out the endless inputs and noise of the world, we will find stillness.
*Journaling can help you reflect deeply on your life, and to think clearly
If you have ever read Anne Frank’s book you will realise how important journaling is, especially in difficult times. Anne discovered that writing can be a way to watch yourself as if you are a stranger, giving you a fresh perspective on your actions. How noble everyone would be, she once wrote, if at the end of the day they reviewed their behavior. Surely, we would all try to do better the following day.
*Bathing in beauty can help to calm and cleanse you
Anne Frank wrote that, even during misfortune, beauty remains. If you look for it, you can find happiness.
On February 23, 1944, Anne Frank climbed up to the attic space above the annex in which her family lived in hiding. She and Peter, a boy who lived with them and also Jewish, sat at her favorite spot on the floor. They looked through a small window at the world from which they were shut away. Looking at a bright blue sky, the chestnut tree below them, and birds diving trough the air, the two were entranced. Later, Anne would write in her diary, that as long as sunshine and cloudless skies existed, she couldn’t possibly be sad. Try and attune yourself to as many manifestations of beauty as possible, the crust on bread, particular colour of a pencil, your sleeping dog’s face etc. simply start to notice the beauty around you.
*Physical activity is important for stillness
Cultivating a hobby is very important. It helps release you from pressures at work or life and helps us find stillness in the moment. If Churchill could have bricklaying as a hobby the skies the limit!
*Embrace sleep in moderation
How marvelous to do nothing all day and then to rest is a well-known Spanish saying. Yes, it’s true that we have to take care of our physical needs by staying active and finding ways to enrich ourselves we can easily lose focus and place too much attention on physical activity. Balance is the key here. Accepting that you need to stop working and get some sleep is fundamentally a question of knowing your limits. Stop. Be present. Know your limits. Embrace moderation. Protect the gift that is your body
Give attention to your physical health, to your spirit and your mind, and you can cultivate stillness.
So slow things down. Calm things down. Quiet things down. Embrace stillness today.
We hope that this may help in some way. Please let us know how you experienced this 1st step of our lockdown on-line intervention support.
Our next three practical posts will deal with mindfulness, gratitude and how to cope post lockdown. We leave you with the words of Schalk Bezuidenhout – “Just because it’s a lockdown doesn’t mean you can’t open up”. It will be ok njannies koepella!