Fare Well

We are all feeling fear and anxiety. It's a response to uncertainty, to a threat to our well being and the well being of our loved ones. For so many it's a time of economic uncertainty and for everyone it's a profound change in routine without having had any way to prepare for the situation.

While life is unpredictable and things are impermanent, this is uncertainty and impermanence on steroids yet also a wonderful opportunity for us to feel our resilience, strength, courage, gratitude and practice kindness and love in unprecedented ways.

But while we may not have experienced a situation exactly like this before, the majority of us have lived through traumatic events and times of uncertainty. We are a resilient lot and have a powerful drive to thrive.

How do we fare well during these times?

The diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome in December of 2006 was my wake up call when I faced an uncertain future with my health and my career. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair and that if I had any hope of stabilizing the symptoms where they were that I needed to leave my almost 20 year career as a VA social worker.

I got still and asked for Divine Guidance as I believe the global community is doing as we face this current public health crisis.

What flowed out of me was a poem called, "Running the Race." At the time I sat in a leg brace, used a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility contemplating a rather grim future. At the time did I have any idea that the poem foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run? Absolutely not! I had never run a day in my life....

I was connected to Source and allowing the Divine to flow through me.

When I wrote poetry I literally felt no pain. I felt happy and whole casting away the pain from my past of paralytic polio and severe trauma at the hands of family members and creating a vision for a fantastic future very different than the one the doctors predicted for me.

Last week, I started writing poetry again!

I find that it eases the anxiety that washes over me at times and have been blessed to receive feedback from readers that it resonates with them.

During those times of uncertainty while I was blessed to find an earth angel of a physical therapist with Allison Lamarre-Poole at Spaulding Rehab (who now has a private practice, Koru Physical Therapy in Maine), I also discovered the power of meditation and was led to many wonderful healing resources.

After a serious knee injury in December of 2014, I was led to an expanding repertoire of healing resources that are holding me in very good stead during these uncertain times.

I highly recommend Kelly Noonan Gores' webinar that features physicians and new thought leaders. It's free and can be viewed by following this link. There is a 25 minute meditation at the end of the webinar to help to bring us to a place of calm and steadiness as we navigate uncharted turbulent waters.

During these times, my hope and prayer is that we all find a way to fare well.

Fare Well

When we complain in despair
life seems so unfair
you can fare well
saying farewell to victimhood and fear
to sit and savor whine
intoxicates mind
dwelling in dark
places.

Look to the light
remember
miraculous moments
coming back from the
edge
helpers seen and
unseen
to see you through.

A grateful heart
beats with gladness
pulsing river of life
carries away waste
from the past
no more time to waste
life is magnificent
bidding you to fare well
embracing Love!

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
With love
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

My books are available on Amazon

Between Stimulus and Response....

The other night before meditation, I was experiencing a high level of anxiety. As I worked to clear away the fears and doubts that were tugging at my solar plexus causing me to feel a clutch and my throat tighten, I realized that I needed to pause, take a deep breath, open my heart, focus on the blessings in my life and feel connected to Source. I recalled all the wonderful inspirational quotes I have posted through the years and the miracles of healing I have experienced in my own life. I realized that the anxiety did not come from my fear of the virus but having absorbed all the fear that's happening around me and in the media. I became keenly aware of the trauma that had gotten triggered within me and then...I chose to smile.



I came to the realization that I needed to focus on the good that is happening right now and to stop reading articles in depth that only served to raise my anxiety and fears. I also realized that I needed to find ways that I could be of service while practicing social but not emotional distancing.

These two articles popped up in my news stream.

This article, 10 Positive Updates on the COVID-19 From Around the World was posted by Alison LaMarre Poole. Alison was my physical therapist after I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome in January of 2007. She held the faith for me that I would and could heal and that I was NOT destined to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair! Without her love, compassion, incredible skill as a Physical Therapist, there would have been no adventures for this runnergirl!

My dear friend and Race Director Extraordinaire, Paul Collyer, posted this article saying, "We will be up and running again very soon....stay cool peeps!" "Israeli Virologist urges world leaders to calm public, slams ‘unnecessary panic’".

Both articles were delivered by Love from the Source of all to remind me of the good news that is happening in the world and that above all, fear doesn't serve anyone. Of note is that science has proven over and over again that fear inhibits the immune system. I watched a free webinar last evening: COVID-19: Navigating Anxiety, Fear and "Social Distancing." that was convened by WellSet and featured Kelly Noonan Gores, the Director of Heal Documentary.

I will continue to infuse myself with good news, and beliefs that resonate with my beliefs during this time of chaos and confusion where we have little control over our circumstances but ALWAYS have the choice to choose our thoughts and beliefs.

Yesterday I wrote this poem:

Calm
Calm down calm up whatever way you choose
when choosing calm and steadiness you can never lose.
In the midst of chaos be steadfast faithful true
stay connected to the Source of all always sees us through.
When everything gets shaken loose fear rattles in our core
remember how we've made it through all that went before.
With angels now surrounding you can feel them play a part
be still and count your blessings with gratitude fill your heart.
These times may not be easy yet we can find a sense of ease
compassion loving kindness finding others ways to please.
Take a sacred pause a breath remove from all the fray.
dispelling darkness fear and doubt let hope now light the way.



Anita Moorjani, a luminary from Heal, posted this today on Facebook:


My friend Ricky Powell shared this calendar for 30 Action Steps we can take to help us keep calm and cope:


Once I untethered myself from the vortex of fear and connected to Source these wonderful posts flowed to me.

I am training myself to become skillful at focusing on what serves me best right now and taking that sacred pause between stimulus and response. Won't you join me?

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
With love
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

My books are available on Amazon

Serenity with the Swans

Ruth Anne's recovery from PANDAS is a long and winding road that requires love, patience, grace, grit and determination. Last week was quite challenging but as the sun returns after a storm, peace descended and Ruth Anne was back on her healing path.

On Wednesday we wrapped up our week of training and ditched a tempo run for an easy 5K.

I could feel the tension release as we savored the sights and sounds of the Reservoir. We made sure to take deep breaths and immerse ourselves in the healing power of nature.

Ducks, geese and swans were out in full force. I found myself hypnotized by their movements and the movement of the water as it ebbed and flowed against the shore and as it met the frozen parts of the Reservoir.

I remarked to Ruth Anne, "I call this run serenity with the swans."

Coincidentally, I am reading the book, 'Heal' based on the ground breaking Documentary. After the serenity with the swans run, I came across the passages about the healing power of nature. p. 141

"When we recognize the virtues, the talent, the beauty of Mother Earth, something is born in us, some kind of connection----love is born." ~Thich Nhat Hanh

"Our brains are hardwired to react positively to water...being near it can calm and connect us, increase innovation and insight, and even heal what's broken."

What I love most about the healing power of nature is that they are absolutely free and address the mind, body and spirit all in one visit. Take advantage of the generosity of Mother Earth and soak up her powerful healing gifts as much as you can each day."



We paused to watch the swans mate and they formed a heart with their necks; a reminder to experience the Love that always surrounds.

After a challenging week or so, we were blessed with relatively mild weather for February in Boston and were blessed to experience serenity with the swans.

To healing, hope and possibility!
To your health and wellness!

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

Be inspired by my interview with Kendra Petrone on the award winning Exceptional Women Show by following this link

To experience an epic race weekend and hear me share my journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond come to the Hyannis Marathon Weekend February 21-23 2020.