A Flower in the Weeds - COVID 19

As much as I did not want to speak about the subject, as it gets enough media attention already, like pretty much every other human on the planet, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted EXAMEN and our lives in a unique way.  Originally we were set to launch and release the book in March of 2020.  To be specific the 3rd week of march which was the first week of the “2 week lockdown.”  That would have been quite the disaster.  

As our release date got pushed 1 month - 2 - 4 - 6, we landed in here, November with a choice.  It is Ignatian Heritage Month, the 150th anniversary of Loyola University, Chicago, all churches are closed, people are physically alone, the list goes on.  A huge thorn in everyone's side in some ways is a flower in the weeds.  Maybe during this extremely difficult time we need a project like this, a project that gets us out of our heads and into our hearts.  Something that brings us back to our spiritual journey.  I like to be reminded that we cannot choose what emotions arise - sadness, anger, fear, joy - but we can choose how we react to them.  

As we push on with our November release, we’ve scratched all of our in person events and have moved 100% digital.  Selfishly I was hoping that this would be an opportunity to visit again but instead this has provided a different opportunity.  Not only an opportunity to find connection by different means but a greater opportunity to finally have the time and space for greater connection with ourselves.  Which I have been extremely grateful for.  My life has changed drastically and so has Roberts.  We’ve both independently become vegans, I’ve moved to the East Coast and Roberts moved out of Los Angeles.  We’ve started new chapters in our lives but something has remained resoundingly the same.  And it is the exact intention that went into making this book.  

This is not a project that will “take your mind off of what’s happening in our world” but it will help you journey deeper and help you address the feelings you are feeling.  A way to ground yourself.  Bring you back to your roots.  Ignite a fire within your heart.  Confronting? Sure.  Uncomfortable?  At times.  Rewarding?  Most definitely.  

If you come out with more questions than answers - good.

And remember - you are not alone.