Swine Flu: An Opportunity to Expand or Contract

I sit in my kitchen looking outside my window at the drizzling rain and snow that is falling from the sky. My gaze focuses on our pond that is covered in algae and budding ground cover, awaiting our attention to clean it and prepare it for the spring and summer. A pair of doves come and bathe in the top pool, drinking the water and getting themselves clean. The air is brisk and the sky is grey, reflecting the mood that seems to blanket our town.

Yesterday, all of the schools in Park City were shut down due to the possible outbreak of the Swine Flu. A few kids have come down with the flu and they have been tested for the H1N1 virus. Apparently, their test results will come back on Monday. If they are negative, schools will be back open, and if they are negative, schools and any extra-curricular activities will be closed all next week. Watching the news and witnessing the fear that has spread across this country is amazing to me. I am not discounting the need to be prepared, educated, and aware of the possible outbreak that could occur. We took every precaution we could traveling back from Hautulco through Mexico City so that we would not expose ourselves to the flu. Covered in masks, and spraying our hands with sanitizer every 5 minutes became a practice that we even my 4 year old son got used to. That said, I am struck at the level of panic, worry and fear that has been ignited throughout the public and I see this fear being cultivated and nourished every time I turn on the news.

I pause and take a moment to reflect on what is really going on and what choice do I have? My awareness brings me back to the article I wrote yesterday in my eNewsletter entitled: "Are You Expanding or Contracting?" I ask myself this question today regarding the prevalent fear of the Swine Flu. Buying into this outbreak as an "imminent pandemic", as the newscasters are putting it, creates an immediate experience of contraction for me. I find myself spiraling into "what if?", "what should we do if those cases in Park City are positive for H1N1?" "who should we interact with?" "should I cancel my in-person coaching sessions next week?" "should I cancel our social engagements?" My focus on the negative gains momentum and my body becomes tighter and tighter. I am contracted and I am plugged into the fear. Fortunately, I catch myself and contemplate whether or not this thought process is serving me or hurting me. I decide to shift and choose expansion over contraction. I choose faith over fear. I trust that we are protected and that the Universe is conspiring on my (our) behalf rather than conspiring against it. I trust we will continue to be healthy. I believe that my attitude of expansion will bring me more happiness rather than fear, and that is a gift I give myself today.