Grow With: Marni Xuto
Three words to describe how you’re feeling right now:
Surrender, Hopeful, To serve.
How are you being mindful of your health in this season?
I’m being mindful by practising meditation, yoga, eating and cooking healthily. However, I believe that these are just the pathways towards educating myself to forgive myself. It’s okay that my mind wanders while meditating. It's not that bad if I fall out of Utkatasana, the ‘chair’ yoga pose (as long as I am the only one in the room!). It’s not a disaster if a basil leaf is put in the wrong place on a food plate. Imperfection used to bother me.
In fact, to recognise and to take a step towards change is more important.
How have you and your circle been impacted by COVID-19?
Me, my family and loved ones have been making more contact and have become more tolerant towards each other… for now.
How has your work-education-life been affected so far?
People at my work are resilient. They seem to have adjusted to the new ways of working very quickly and surprisingly quite efficiently. Regarding life, I am talking to myself more with kindness, not yet fighting because that‘s where problems begin!
When you’ve been outside, what’s your experience been like?
People are friendly yet careful (which is right). I think everyone is slowly realising that: ‘We are in it together’
What’s keeping you in a positive state of mind in this uncertain time?
I love cooking. I find the repetitiveness of stirring and folding rather relaxing. Chopping improves my concentration (as I focus on not cutting my fingers). Seasoning wakes up my sensory descriptors. The wait while cooking tests my patience; it makes me appreciate the result. Just like us now: anticipating yet knowing that this difficult time will be all over at some point. When that day comes, our perspectives will change in a good way… I hope.
How are you channelling your creativity in this season?
I’m being creative through survival mode. I have to create recipes from what I have got, and use local sources. It exercises the muscles in my brain a little more which allows me to explore new ways of cooking. Less sometimes means more.
What are you grateful for in this season?
In one of the most challenging times in history, so many friends, acquaintances or even strangers are offering help, support and new opportunities. Don't get me wrong, I’m happy when my passions enable me to earn money, but does money mean anything much at this time?
What world are you moving towards in this season?
On the first night of the lock down, it was the first time that I heard the birds singing/ gossiping outside my bedroom window. I’m not sure if they started to talk loudly or whether I started to stop and listen to what was happening around me a little bit more. Sorry, what was the question again? I didn't listen properly.
For people staying at home right now, any suggestions?
Stay home or spend time in A&E. I choose to stay home every time!
Listen to: Apart from enjoying the birds chirping outside my bedroom window, I also love hearing the eBay notification bell… online businesses are booming people!
Watch: I loop daily updates of the Coronavirus via reliable sources from different politicians, scientists and others to keep me grounded.
Read: I’m reading a book called, ‘‘Please Look After Mother”. It’s an Xmas present from my special one. 4 months have passed… I’m ashamed to say that! I just finished page 20 to mark this unforgettable year, 2020.
