Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Tuesday, March 21
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Donate
    • Subscribe
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Arts»Finding a path in the pandemic: Meditation and painting
    Arts

    Finding a path in the pandemic: Meditation and painting

    By Gabrielle FeivorDecember 28, 2020Updated:December 28, 20205 Mins Read
    Eden Prairie resident Gabrielle Feivor shares a journey of self-discovery - and beauty - prompted by the pandemic lockdown.

    As a salesperson in the tech industry here in Eden Prairie, I work to manage the expectations of my customers in order to reduce the chance of dissatisfaction (a.k.a. unhappiness).  We have to learn to manage our own expectations as well.  

    We have a choice.  Always.  Will this be a good day or a bad day?  It’s always been up to us. 

    In that regard, 2020 has been something, hasn’t it?  It has represented to some a time of reckoning, to others a period of atonement, to others still a very bad nightmare from which there is no waking.  Ok, to most people a very bad nightmare from which there is no waking. 

    I admit to times where I’ve given in to these experiences, and even to some extended periods of melancholy and self-pity.   

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn-McReavy

    Yet, ultimately, I’ve chosen (very intentionally) to focus in on the positive which has come from this very unconventional year.  After spending an initial (undisclosed!) number of weeks in a shell-shocked and wine-soaked state of grief and despair, I remembered something very important.  

    Something I learned years ago, and had forgotten.

    Something I think I first heard from an elementary school gym teacher; I believe:  “Life is what you make it.”  This quote is widely attributed to the inspirational and pragmatic Eleanor Roosevelt. 

    And it’s true.   

    When were we ever going to have this kind of time on our hands?  Haven’t I always yearned for more time?  Isn’t time the most precious commodity?  What an opportunity! 

    I’ve suffered from a low-level depression and chronic anxiety for much of my life.  One thing I developed as a coping mechanism through the more difficult periods is the ability to accept my circumstances and adapt.  To be comfortable being uncomfortable.  Acceptance and surrender.  This is a skill that has gotten me through an awful lot.  

    This is the time to stop the racing mind.  Go inward.  Feel the feelings.  You cannot escape (not really), even if you tried, anyways.  For our demons will always be there, until we face them down and consume them, absorbing them into our consciousness and then holding them gently in the heart until they no longer have power over us.   

    My husband and I started a meditation practice shortly after the COVID lockdown started in March.  Neither of us had ever really tried meditating, but we had both always been curious.  Not really knowing where to start, we purchased a subscription to CALM and began right away.  

    Ten months later, we are still meditating every day.   

    Meditation has changed our lives in very dramatic ways.  It has put us in touch with something hard to describe – probably because the spirit (or, source, whatever) is by definition ineffable.  But ineffable as it truly is, it is real, friends.  I don’t want to preach here.  Let’s just say we recommend mediation.  There you go. 

    About 4 or 5 weeks into meditation practice, I started to think about life goals.  I’d always wanted to play the piano, learn a foreign language, write a book, and paint beautiful paintings.  I’m approaching 50 and, realizing that I’m not getting any younger, decided to seize the day.  Again, when will we ever have this much undisturbed time on our hands? 

    I was absolutely shocked to discover I can paint.  Really paint.  I fully attribute this to the meditation practice.  Painting isn’t at all what I thought it would be.  I had always assumed people who painted were somehow special, better, and had talents that others would (could) never have.  Now I know that we all have access to this kind of energy.  Creativity is our birthright.  Again, here, it’s entirely ineffable so hard to exactly describe.   

    I just want to share with people my experience of this understanding. It is something we all have access to.  It’s free and available to every single living person.  All you need is to quiet the mind, go peacefully inward, and “be”.  

    Is meditation easy at first?  No!  The monkey-mind is stubborn and persistent!  But I encourage you to give this an earnest effort.  Doing this consistently over time can open you up to opportunities you had never dreamt possible.  As I said earlier, I do not wish to preach.  I want to share this message as a gift.  I want you all to experience what I’ve caught glimpses of.  

    And mostly I want to offer some kind of help, as I know this has been a really tough year.    

    After the urging of family and friends, I am very proud to share that I have decided to open an Etsy shop for my painting hobby.  I never thought this would have been possible for me.  I am specializing in pet portraits.  

    Peace and love to you and yours this holiday season.  And hang in there.   

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe

    Comments

    Comments aren’t allowed on our site, but we do offer several ways to provide feedback, and have your voice heard. If you believe the story has an error, or would like to get in touch with the author, please contact us. If you would like to respond directly to this article, we welcome and encourage Letters To the Editor. You can find details on how to submit a letter on our contact page.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleYour local water district needs YOU!
    Next Article Race-equity project resumes after bump at city council

    More to READ

    16 Mins Read

    Summer camp options in and around Eden Prairie

    March 15, 2023
    7 Mins Read

    Competing for laughs

    February 16, 2023
    5 Mins Read

    EPHS staging comedy ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ Feb. 2-4

    February 2, 2023
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Pedestrian killed crossing Highway 5

    March 20, 2023

    Bud Grant remembered as ‘pillar’ at memorial service in Eden Prairie

    March 20, 2023

    Eagles capture third place at state with victory over Stillwater

    March 19, 2023

    Council to consider new flooring for gym

    March 19, 2023

    It’s been that kind of winter

    March 19, 2023
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2023
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

     

    Loading Comments...