The single most important thing I’ve learned doing stand up comedy in NYC over the last couple of years is that while it’s fine to read the crowd, you don’t let the crowd dictate your energy on stage — whether they’re quiet and not laughing much or ‘hot’ and roaring. If the last comedian bombed, you bring your ALL. If the last comedian crushed, you bring your ALL. If there are three people in the crowd and you paid for their entrance and drinks so you could get on stage, you bring your ALL. If you’re in a packed room of hundreds who came to see you, you bring your ALL. Same same in life.
YOU BRING THE WEATHER!
Folks, I know for most of us it’s cloudy on board, and sh*#’s flying at us from all angles. We can’t control what’s happening around us and how other people are feeling and responding to what’s happening, or how much frozen food they’re buyin’ and stockpilin’. But we are FULLY RESPONSIBLE for the weather we bring. So, as much as possible, bring the sunlight, bring the calm skies, and bring the smooth seas.
Here are some ways we can bring the sunshine:
Give! The easiest way to shift your vibration positively and forget about how your rent/mortgage is about to be due but your paychecks are through is to help someone else. Check on your elderly friends and neighbors and let them know you’re available to fetch groceries, walk their dogs, or talk on the phone. Your time and attention is the greatest gift of all. See how you can support local businesses, the homeless, frontline healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, and so many others who need your specific magic and support during these times. I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve got me some friends over 70. This past week my phone log shows I spent 134 minutes talking to those peeps over the last week, and I’M THE BETTER FOR IT. They’re fine and all perfectly healthy, by the way. They’ve just been checking on me.
Nature! Even if we can’t leave home, we can listen to the birds, talk to a plant (they are such good listeners), or listen to soothing nature sounds at home. Mama Earth is a master healer.
Sleep! Enough said. Nobody judgin’ most of us for staying in our pajama (bottoms) all day. Sleep, nap, rest, repeat.
Laughter! “Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand,” said Mark Twain. Ellen’s Pawsup on IG is where we begin our day. Paws Up on IG Most comedians without a side hustle are completely out of work and could use your support (if not financially, you can like/share their work, and follow them)! Trevor Noah and the Daily Show team are producing their show from their couches, and that’s where my boys and I choose to get our news Monday to Friday. Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Move Your Body! At home, get yo reminiscent groove on with Richard Simmons, Jane Fonda, or Gilad, or do some yoga with Yoga with Adriene and her pup Benji, spin with Pelaton, or boogy down to some tunes at home! Or even better, find out how you can support your favorite local fitness and yoga instructors with online courses.
Meditation! Danielle Laporte led a magical Earth Adoration meditation and it’s posted on Instagram for all of us to savor. You’ll feel puffy pink, sapphire blue, sparkly gold, and translucent ribbons of white during and afterward. You gonna feel great during and after this meditation… I also love me some Joe T on YouTube Hypnotic mediations to soothe yo soul
Music! Even if you aren’t Italian, sing, AMORE! Watch Italians sing!
Spend time with elephants! Ok, this may be a stretch right now. How about we all watch an elephant video or two? Here’s one from my Thai adventure that I could watch on loop all day long. I do, actually. Mama sits on tired baby ellie
Gratitude! It’s easy to get swept up in how the changes in our lives are affecting us negatively. But, my guess is there’s so much to be thankful for if you’re reading this blog. Start with breath itself. Air. Life. The miracle of your body. Maybe you get to spend more time with your pet, loved ones, or alone. What’s sustaining you now?
Let the Fear/Anxiety/Worry move through you! Sit with your fears as if they’re your beloved child, breathe through them, and let them move up and out in whatever way feels best to you. Let’s do it right now. We okay, and we gonna be okay. That feels good.
Compassion! If someone around you is buying up the last dark chocolate peanut butter cups on the shelf, STOP THEM NOW! Just kidding. You can surely understand why they would. If someone sneezes in the grocery store, send them a “Gesundheit,” or “Bless You,” or wrap them in a cocoon of white light. Everyone’s doing their best in this moment. If you want the world to calm the F down, be a beacon of peace, faith, and loving kindness. You just keep bringin’ the sunny weather, my friend.
Use your intuition! Your intuition is always guiding you always on what street to take, how much and what food you need, whether now is a moment to stay home or go out, and that, yep, you can leave that bar of soap on the shelf for somebody else to buy.
Routines! Part of what many of us are suffering from is a complete break in our daily routines. The kids may be home from school, your work may be completely virtual (or in absentia) now. What beautiful new routines feel good for you? Where can you build in more spaciousness now?
Nutritious food, plenty of water and vitamin C! Or, whatever’s left on your grocery store shelves. I had no idea how much I’d love frozen onion rings, so thanks for leaving those.
Conscious News! If you choose to monitor the news, choose which news sources you monitor, when, and how often you choose to receive news. For positive news, I’m consciously tuning into John Krasinski’s Some Good News and Inspire More Inspire More Videos on YouTube Focusing on the positive isn’t naive, it’s essential. What we focus on expands, so let’s allow the goodness, kind-heartedness, and love on board flourish by giving it our full attention.
Breathwork! – Have you tried breathing? I know, I know. We’ve somehow been doing it successfully our whole lives. Check out David Elliott on Spotify for some pranayama yoga that might just show you the magical power of inhaling and exhaling (as well as the magic of a sweet southern twang). Or support a local/remote teacher who is offering virtual classes like Awakened Breathwork with Christian.
Prudent Purchasing! We all need to buy goods y’all, so let’s purchase with the abundance mindset. There’s plenty for us all, unless we take too much.
Where did the dark chocolate peanut butter cups GO?!
Prayer! Send positive thoughts first thing in the morning and right before sleep (and many times in between) to all beings. Simple say, “May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all,” as the Sanskrit Mantra, Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu, goes. Or choose your own prayer. Prayer is simply kneeling at the feet of the divine, or the force of love that governs all, and placing all of your hopes and fears in her hands.
Depth! Even now, it’s easy to get caught up in the superficial, like uh, “What’s for dinner when I have no idea how to cook?” Or we can revert to talking about the pandemic, the blaring headlines, plus all of our anxieties and worst case scenarios. How about instead of, “How much does everything suck?” we ask our loved ones, “What’s sustaining you now?” or “What’s inspiring you?” or even “In what ways do you find yourself sharing your gifts during this extraordinary situation?”
And thank you, by the way. For sharing your gifts.
In the comments, I’d love to hear how YOU are Bringing the Weather! Lemme know.
Read more about packing up the love and the sunshine while aboard here: Aboard Cruise Ship Earth with Coronavirus
