Covid is turning into a stressful story right? It is impacting all of us in some way - financially or emotionally, even if we haven't physically been effected by it.

A pathogen which is new, prognostically uncertain and transmittable is fear evoking. For this reason, above the usual flu it has become a very personal virus. We all fear that we might lose a loved one, if they acquire it (or ourselves).

Snap lockdowns and mandatory health directives are fear evoking. We can no longer take for granted that our plans will be realized. None of us likes uncertainity. It means not feeling we are in control of our lives. When this impacts on our financial situation this is compounded.

Conflicting views in the media about vaccinations and questions about neccesary measures to get life back to normal are fear evoking. I'm not far from the heart of the apparent anti-vax capital and so emotions are heightened between the pro and anti lobby's and sadly there is a lot of fear fueled aggression between the two, each carrying their own fear of the others' opinions and choices.

All of these things have been stressing me, but mostly it stresses me to see so much fear, for fear is the antithesis of love. I had a realisation this weekend that I've brought into it and it's time to gather up my strongest intention to say ENOUGH! I've come out of my heart centred being and developed some bad habits of mind. In fact I've become aware that I have been really letting the habit of mind reign. I've been drawn into trying to think my way through these things and as a consequence have been feeling very anxious. Fortunately I have had the realization that this is not serving me and I've returned to the commitment of my being in my heart.

So I invite your also to come back into your heart with the same commitment and focus:

• Meditation with a focus on Relaxation - have a little listen to my relaxing meditation on YouTube. Take the time to familiarise yourself with your deep centred being, that is always there amidst the tension of the body and chaos of mind and emotion. In the meditation I refer to it as the light of love in the heart or the spacious heart....(Spacious being, embodied presence). Float these terms around and remember those that prompt that connection with your centered being.

• Have firm determination to ignore the mind and spend time resting in the spacious heart. This doesn't mean you don't think and make decisions about what you do, but it means being willing to put it down and rest the mind for some good periods of time. The mind carries better decisions by resting in the heart (alot!) - try it out and see.

• Limit viewing of news and social media – turn the TV/ radio/ computer off as much as possible. We are what we eat... mental impressions as well. Media repeats the same thing every hour, you don't need to constantly watching, you don't need hrly updates. probably you only need updates when it is relevant to your activity.

• Not talking about Covid.Ditto.. Talk about the things you want the world to have more of.. the things your have and are grateful for. For instance,

• Exercise and get into nature – if you can't leave home, get your hands in dirty in your garden (thanks Mary) or,

• Play a musical instrument or listen to music (again thanks Mary)

These are the best things we can do for our physical (nervous, immune and musculoskeletal system) and mental well being. You will feel empowered by these actions and you will have the spaciousness to make the right decisions for yourself and your community. ....rather than fighting of toilet paper at Woolies.