There is a lot going on in my World. And I’m realizing there are many different ways of handling anxiety, grief and stress. I handle it by expanding my perspective.

Expanding My Perspective Can Overcome Overwhelming Circumstances

First of all, let it be recognized that this is a very self-centered post. It’s all about me. I don’t apologize for it. Sometimes I need to go inside. Expressing what I’m going through here is my way of coping.  I also hope it might allow folks who read it some solace or serenity in their lives.

Now about me.

This week will be the first Men’s Knitting Retreat at Easton Mountain that I will not be attending in-person. In the 13 years we’ve been doing this, I feel like I’m ruining a pristine record. I’m also desperately missing the community of guys who will be there. The feature photo today is of the Temple building at Easton Mountain. Our group help fund the replacement of the deck.

So, COVID-19 is the overall backdrop for this sadness. Months of hunkering down away from people. Only to know there will be months more in the future.

Then the announcement of the death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Like many, this really shook me. I honestly had really hoped she would be around until next year at least. As many of us, I grieved the loss of a true patriot and hero. I desperately worried about the future of the United States.

Then the death of someone dearly loved in the knitting community. Cat Bordhi touched an amazing number of people in my beloved community. My heart ached for the people who knew her well.

Grief, Anxiety, And Loneliness

It was starting to feel overwhelming. I honestly don’t handle multiple complex emotions very well. Or at least I haven’t in the past.

I considered getting in contact with a spiritual guide to help put things in perspective. But, sleeping on it, I realized I knew what I needed. It became clear that I needed to realize that there is a much bigger plan…a plan I couldn’t see all the parts of.

I was able to expand beyond the small bubble of self-centered ideas. When I was able to realize that there were resources way beyond what I was aware to help bring some equilibrium back to the World, I knew I would be fine.

Yes, I know we all handle big feelings in different ways. And yes, we all have different levels of capacity. This is how I deal with it, and my fervent hope for you is that you find a successful way too.

Current Knitting

I was powering through the three repeats of the cabling on the Hallgrim Scarf  when I got the news about Justice Ginsberg.

I’m glad I had gotten through the part that required a lot of attention. My attention span had dwindled to nothing. For the next few feet of this design, it’s a rather simple twisted rib, two-row repeat.  I could handle that. Or maybe not. During the more turbulent emotional days, I decided to just put down any complex knitting and work on something easy and mindless.

I started a new Knitted Cross Stitch Scarf.

I’ve made so many of these, it takes very little concentration. The rhythm of this design is soothing and calming for me.

This is two colorways of a Zitron yarn called Triologie (75% Virgin Wool, 15% Silk, 10% Linen).

Colorways Bavaria (darker purple one) and Bohemia.