Newsletter 32
Welcome to all, in this weeks newsletter I share some tips on mindfulness. I also let you know I have joined a group of children’s book authors and we are offering our books for free. Check it out, Stay Home Together, some great stay at home reads for family fun.
“Who is your enemy? Mind is your enemy. No one can harm you more than your own mind untamed. And who is your friend? Mind is your friend. No one can help you more than your own mind, wisely trained— not even your own mother and father.” — Buddha
1. I completed a mindfulness course many years ago. I was going through a rough period in my life, the collapse of a business, the transition from a way of life that had been with me for too many years. Something that helped me to get through that traumatic period in my life was embracing a mindfulness practice. My life was forced to change and I found myself on a different path. The current state of affairs in the world has made many people anxious, I hope that sharing this free mindfulness course will offer some help to those who are suffering with anxiety over the global pandemic.
2. My audio escape has been via listening to Hot Docs Audio – Margaret Atwood in conversation, while she is in self-isolation just like the rest of us.
For some physical challenges I have also been watching some great demonstrations of karate with karate@home and other martial arts as well. I joined an online book club, the QBC, Quarantine Book Club, I checked out authors Rita Therese and I plan to check out some other authors too.
3. Documentaries are wonderful and I am still checking out some great ones. The most fascinating to me is musician Kevin Hearn and his, “There Are No Fakes”. Streaming now on TVO.org. Hearn buys a painting by the world’s first Indigenous art star, Norval Morrisseau, doubts about its authenticity raises controversial questions about authorship and ownership.
4. Walking and physical distancing is a very new concept. Trying to stay six feet away from people, it is not as easy as it sounds. Once you find some space away from everyone that you’re not actually living with it’s great to do some tai chi. Tai chi while in the forest is the best, connecting with the universal, awareness, heartfulness and mindfulness. Fresh air; as much as you can – try to get your daily dose of fresh air.
5. At my home we’ve been cooking with Jamie Oliver, with An Italian In My Kitchen and with Nona Gina, these are all providing great ideas on what to make to sustain our family through these changing and challenging times.
Regarding documentaries, I love the Netflix doc, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, an in depth look at the life and times of Miles Davis. I mention this now as I heard the sad news that trumpeter Wallace Roney (May 25, 1960 – March 31, 2020) has died, a casualty of Covid-19. Throughout the last segment of the movie, Roney is featured, as he had Miles’ back, playing when Miles couldn’t. A wonderful interview of Wallace Roney and Dr. Billy Taylor gives you a glimpse into his musical life.
Joining Wallace is one of my favourite guitarist, Bucky Pizzarelli, who passed away on April 1, 2020, at the age of 94. His son John Pizzarelli, also a guitarist and frequent musical associate, indicated his father had Covid-19.
More sad news related to this Global Pandemic, Ellis Marsalis (Nov. 1934 – Apr. 2020), jazz pianist, educator, and patriarch of the Marsalis jazz family, has died at the age of 85. His death was announced in tweets from New Orleans Mayor, LaToya Cantrell and Jazz at Lincoln Center, where his son, trumpeter, Wynton is the artistic director. He reportedly went into the hospital over the weekend with symptoms of pneumonia. The New York Times reports that his son Branford says the cause of death was complications from COVID-19.
And We Shall Persevere
We will get through this together, remember to stay home if you aren’t a front line worker. Stay safe, wash your hands, practice physical distancing.
Love and Light
Thanks for reading, if you think someone you know would like my newsletter please share it with them. If you’re looking for a great children’s book, Samba on a Snowy Day is available at Amazon.ca. Check out my blog, follow the link, sign in. Get the weekly newsletter in your inbox, no spam I promise.
Copyright © 2020 Paul Yanuziello, All rights reserved.