COVID-19 is now in all 50 states plus District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands. We surpassed China with 103,321 cases and 1,668 deaths so far. Plus, 85,356 cases reported have been exposed to the coronavirus.  (Center for Disease Control)

Minnesota joined other states over the weekend to shelter in place. Governor Tim Walz delivered Minnesota’s executive two-week order to stay-at-home.

All of us 30M small business owners across the United States are awakened to some grim choices in the coming weeks. We have never been forced to be shut down by the government to combat a pandemic. Most of us don’t have the cash flow resources to survive. Some employees have been furloughed. More than 3 million Americans have lost their jobs. Unemployment filings are being tracked per state; in MN, 116,438 claims were filed last week.

It isn’t all bad. Feel good movies are replacing fear-based movies like 1985’s Outbreak and Pandemic which aired a couple of weeks ago. I just binge watched the hugely popular, Netflix series, Love Is Blind with Olivia. The ending was so shocking. It was a bright spot in our week to watch people fall in and out of love. A few hours thinking about something other than my fellow peers and loved ones, all of our dashed plans, our uncertain future, and changes in income.

This week’s inspiration. In the early 20^th Century, Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919) built a haircare empire. Self Made, a limited series on Netflix, was inspired by the first African American female millionaire in America, C.J. Walker. A testament in overcoming hardships and oppression with perseverance and focus on a higher dream for her race and for women. In turn, she has brought America forward politically and socially through her activism.

In this episode, I highlight a national response plea from Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo to President Trump. This plea was featured in The New York Times Op-Ed page on March 15, 2020. DOWNLOAD

“Major political change comes when a window of opportunity opens, and a leader seizes the moment. There are brief moments in history where attention, passion and drive combine to unite the American people and overwhelm the forces preserving the status quo and create change.” Andrew Cuomo (Open Letter)

This is your opportunity to engage your innovative inspirations and create new ways of generating income by connecting to a higher goal, a higher purpose. We are unconventional thinkers and doers. Take this time to re-engineer your future and do your part to bring America forward.

I am doing just that, re-engineering WeMentor to address your leadership needs. We are taking the month of April to bring new group LABs online. I also need moments each day to honor my Mom’s life and need to finish my book on the Heart of Self-Leadership to get it in your hands. We will resume podcasting in May or June. I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, start each day with energy, movement, and focus. Here is a morning mindfulness yoga video I have created for you. It will also be on the WeMentor home page. We don’t want to emerge from this pandemic into an obesity crisis!

Do these three WeMentor Self-Leadership Activation Exercises:

1. Take this risk: Organize your ideas engaging your higher purpose. Sort out how you will lead yourself and others through this pandemic. We have enough information now for you to write out your continuance plan. If you are closing your doors, write out what you would next like to do. Keep imagining a brighter future.

• Apply Self-Compassion: On my end, we are slowly moving into new routines of work and schooling and learning new software technology. I encourage you to take breaks of relaxation and practice a daily mindfulness meditation routine to restore your emotional well-being. Do some chair yoga after each hour you are sitting. Here is my video for you.

• Welcome Appreciation: Honor your own struggle. It is real.
  • I am being even kinder and compassionate with Matthew and Olivia. Talking about our feelings: discomfort, fear of the unknown, financial distress, sadness in loss of plans, happiness in being together, and finding joy in the little moments as we adjust to uncertainty. We are healthy. We are happy. We are preparing financially. Talking about our concerns and fears and disappointments helps put things into perspective and return to optimism. The gremlins within are not in charge.
  • I appreciate YOU! Remember to reach out. Social solidarity meets our need for connection and helps each of us integrate our life experiences in a wholesome way. I am here for you.