A Letter From Keags: A Must Read

As you probably assume, I am writing to you to open a dialogue regarding COVID-19. While just five days ago this felt like a faint and foggy distant reality that I wasn’t a part of, now it is so much more intimate than that.

All of the widespread panic has got me thinking about a few things:

It seems there are a number of “camps” that people are sitting in depending on their beliefs, fears, and knowledge about the virus. I’m trying to hang somewhere in the middle. It’s all about finding the right balance right?

I have certainly found myself more in my negative train of thought and state of energy lately.
What if I get sick?
What if I run out of food?
What if my animals suffer in some way because of this?
What if I lose my job?
What if I lose my new house?
What if my relationship/s suffer because of the burden and stress?
What if the things I am good at are no longer a service that people want?
What if what I have to contribute to society is no longer as valuable or exciting in times like these?

Yesterday, as you know, we had to shut our doors at Crossfit Steamboat, and while it seems completely unreasonable to feel sad knowing the potential repercussions of staying open- there were a lot of tears, and I am really struggling. And that’s OK.

These are real things that are running through my head. And no matter how relevant or rational some of them may seem in the moment, they are stealing from my ability to have flexibility, and keep moving; onward and upward.

A few days back, while talking with my good friend (and also someone I basically consider my LIFE coach) (shoutout Hannah D!), she brought up a really beautiful concept. I was openly having a breakdown with her. Here is what she said to me:

“Our minds have two modes for picture creating: daydreaming and nightmare-ing. Daydream- creating pleasant pictures. Nightmare- creating painful pictures. Both feed into our energy and act as fuel to drive our actions. Most people are better at nightmare-ing, as it plays as a protective mechanism. It gives us some illusion of control when we feel out of control. Today, we get to decide how we respond.”

Then she asked me, “Keagan, what kind of day dreaming could you be doing instead that would be more productive for you?”
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Here is what I have learned above all else in this past week:
We are all fully and completely more connected with each other than we think we are. Our actions, our movement, and our health has a direct correlation with those of many miles and seas apart.
Your work affects my work affects their work affects his work affects hers…
Your health affects my health affects their health affects his health affects hers…
Your knowledge affects my knowledge affects their knowledge affects his knowledge affects hers…
You see what I’m getting at here.

The point is that we can be planes and boat rides apart and it’s almost as if we are all holding hands. And while in a time like this that concept feels paralyzing; when we zoom out, it is enchanting…sensational…dare I say- worth it?

It is more important than ever at this time that we recognize and understand this connection and we meet it with self-care, compassion, education, and awareness.

It is paramount that we continue to participate in routines and rituals that help us maintain our highest standard of physical and spiritual health.

We go to the gym, eat foods that make us feel good and work with coaches that inspire and guide us – to be physically sturdy. We create space for downtime, listen to music, visualize a positive outcome, write in our journals, go on walks and spend time with people that we love to help our mental health maintain its integrity as well. Both are of equal and utmost importance, and with limited physical connection and interaction- these things fall at risk for now. If you let it. 

We do not have all of the answers. We do not know when life will be normal again. We have absolutely no way to explain or rationalize what’s going on around us. But we do still have SOME things…

-the ability to choose and prioritize our own health even when we don’t always feel like it
-the ability to take care of each other (by being our healthiest and highest self) and by reaching out and supporting one another
-the ability to meet adversity with patience and creativity and to use this time to grow and evolve vs shatter and crumble
-the opportunity to inspire and lead
-the opportunity to begin knowing just how large our impact is
-time

We all have time. Our work may decline some, our socializing will be limited, and our flame may be flickering- but…we have time. Time is money. Time is love. Time is growth. Time is immeasurable. Please, don’t take it for granted.

Things I will be doing these next couple of weeks that help me get more in touch with my impact:
-working out and modifying workouts that I would be doing ANYWAYS, moving my body, stretching, dancing
-cooking fresh foods, lots of fruits and veggies, trying new recipes and acting ONLY with kindness when circumstances don’t allow me to eat the food I might consider “optimal”
-going outside every day, even if the weather is less than ideal, becoming more in touch with nature
-investing time into my own personal and professional growth (reading, listening to podcasts, taking online courses, journaling, etc)
-continuing to support small local businesses- my gym, my coaches, the service industry (getting take out 1-2x per week) and those who are feeling incredibly insecure at the moment, ***while my natural instinct is to spend NO money and keep what I am earning to myself; I know this will not support society and the economy in staying upright during this time, which in the long-run has a larger impact on me
-reaching out to community leaders to see how I can support families and kids who rely heavily on school meals and parents who are not working therefor struggling to make ends meet

To all of my friends, family, and clients:
I will be working endlessly for you at this time to support you in bigger and better ways than I ever have.
This means:
-text me when you are feeling low and isolated, or if you just want to chat
-call me when you need to hear someone’s voice
-if you are struggling to create structure and routine, I can help!
-if you want to be together, let’s go for a walk-I promise to stay 6ft away from you and give you ZERO hugs
-CLIENTS, FRIENDS, FAMILY, ANYONE- business hours don’t apply here; if you need me, you reach out. I am here for you.

One last thought…
“When all else fades away, love is what remains.”

Xoxo,

Keagan