Straight From My Heart

Dear Clients, Colleagues, and Friends,

I am imagining that, like me, many of you are experiencing a range of emotions at this time. I find myself vacillating between moments of despair and a sense that I am in purgatory, and feelings of hopefulness and optimism — asking myself, “What can I do for others?” And, “What is the bigger message here?”

While negativity and fear are spreading even faster than the virus, with news media fanning the flames, what if instead we spread love, optimism, and hope as fast as the messaging of this virus, to counterbalance it?

Per the mandatory shelter-in-place order, yesterday was our last day in the office.

However, we at LMB Interiors want you to know that we will continue to be available. We are set up to work remotely/virtually.

If our clients need samples dropped off, we will sanitize these items and drop them at your doorstep. We are scheduling calls via video-chat to review materials and to meet with new, potential clients. Our showrooms are also working virtually to help us shop.

I know we are all doing our best to protect and support each other and to keep our economy going. Keeping our businesses running where possible and serving each other as best we can within the guidelines for public safety, supporting other businesses in our community, is part of staying healthy.

In my previous post on this blog I gave you my list of fave go-tos for all kinds of things; a compilation of the advice I find myself giving clients who have just moved to the area and ask me, “Where do I go for…?”

I ask that you take a look at it again, even now.

Even if it’s only shopping/socializing-inspo in this moment, we can plan to go to these places again in the future, we can buy gift certificates to seal in those plans, and/or order their wares online.

A few thoughts on shelter:

The limitations of “shelter-in-place” may be upsetting. It’s a huge change for most of us. And within the crisis, there is opportunity.… While we spend this time so close to our homes, here are some things we can do.

Spring Clean: Now is a good time to get at and thoroughly clean out those drawers! Shira Gill (“The Minimalista”) is a great resource.

Self Care: Do a honey mask. Sit outside in the sun. Spend time in nature, get fresh air… I dare you to hop in your car and drive to the ocean and “Wim Hof” and jump in!

I did this over the weekend at Stinson Beach. It was amazing! If you are looking for a way to empower your body during this time and build your immunity, this is an extremely powerful technique, backed up by scientific research. Instruction on Wim Hof breathing techniques, and information on why breathwork and ice-cold water immersion are good for you, here.

Yes, during this time we are allowed to travel to nature, hiking trails, etc. As long as we maintain 6-ft distance between ourselves and others not from our homes.

Ferment Vegetables: If you know me, you know I love chopping up a mountain of veggies, massaging them with salt, and setting them in a crock to ferment. Want to try? Message me and I’ll help you get started.

Reflect and Resolve: Now more than ever, we are quite literally forced to sit with the importance of home. This is an opportunity to really think about, does your home actually support you? What would you like to change now? What would you like to dream into? For your home and in your life?

What if this is a wake-up call to realize that we are all ONE? 

To further illustrate that thought, I want to share with you this poetic essay by energy healer Gupreet K. Gill (posted on her website). She speaks eloquently of a different way of holding what our culture is experiencing right now.

WHAT IF…

There is so much fear, and perhaps rightfully so, about COVID-19.

And, what if…

If we subscribe to the philosophy that life is always working out for us, that there is an intelligence far greater than humans at work…

That all is interconnected.

What if…

the virus is here to help us?

To reset.
To remember.

What is truly important.

Reconnecting with family and community.

Reducing travel so that the environment, the skies, the air, our lungs all get a break.

Parts of China are seeing blue sky and clouds for the first time in forever with the factories being shut down.

Working from home rather than commuting to work (less pollution, more personal time).

Reconnecting with family as there is more time at home.

An invitation to turn inwards — a deep meditation — rather than the usual extroverted going out to self-soothe.

To reconnect with self — what is really important to me?

A reset economically.

The working poor. The lack of healthcare access for over 30 million in the US. The need for paid sick leave.

How hard does one need to work to be able to live, to have a life outside of work?

To face our mortality — check back into “living” life rather than simply working, working, working.

To reconnect with our elders, who are so susceptible to this virus.

And, washing our hands — how did that become a “new” thing that we needed to remember. But, yes, we did.

The presence of Grace for all.

There is a shift underway in our society — what if it is one that is favorable for us?

What if this virus is an ally in our evolution?

In our remembrance of what it means to be connected, humane, living a simpler life, to be less impactful/ more kind to our environment.

An offering from my heart this morning. Offered as another perspective. Another way of relating to this virus, this unfolding, this evolution.

It was time for a change, we all knew that.

And, change has arrived.

What if…

— Gupreet K. Gill

With love,

Laura and the team at LMB Interiors