And the people stayed home. 
And read books, and listened, and rested, 
and exercised, and made art, and played games, 
and grew gardens full of fresh food, 
and learned new ways of being, and were still. 
And listened more deeply. 

Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. 
Some met their shadows. 
And the people began to think differently.
And the people healed. 

And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, 
dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, 
the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, 
and the people joined together again, 
they grieved their losses, 
and made new choices, 
and dreamed new images, 
and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, 
as they had been healed.

The poem was written last month – in March 2020 – by a woman named Kitty O'Meara, a former teacher and chaplain from Wisconsin, in trying to process the worsening news surrounding the catastrophic spread of the coronavirus. The internet falsely attributed it to Kathleen O'Mara from the 1919 Pandemic. But like so many things that get passed around our digital, warp speed highways, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.

Suggestions from Manzano Del Sol (lovingly shared by Mandy Pino)

Most likely you're NOT drinking enough water!!
HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE

After 3 hours of being sedentary – Stand Up!
& Three-Peat (Do each of the following 3 times)

Stand Up & Take Deep Breaths
Feet shoulder-width apart
Knees bent as you stand up...
INHALE and bring your arms overhead
EXHALE while returning to normal stance

Gentle Shoulder Pushes–Take Deep Breaths
Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent
Left hand goes under Right arm pit
INHALE & gently push to the Left
EXHALE & back to normal stance
Right hand under Left arm pit
INHALE & gently push to the Right
EXHALE & back to normal stance

Roll Your Shoulders & Take Deep Breaths
Feet shoulder-width apart
Knees bent as you stand up
INHALE & roll back your shoulders
EXHALE while returning to normal stance

Swing Arms By Your Sides (5-10 minutes)
From a normal, relaxed standing position,
push your arms backward and let them
SWING FREELY (don't lift upwards)
This has been proven to relieve breathing difficulties and is a GREAT
"loosener-upper"
(A quote from Tai Chi for Seniors)

Remember...we all need laughter!
And last, but not least...some much-needed Comic Relief
Click HERE and make sure you hit full screen
and have your speakers on!