18th March 2020 — A week ago I met up with a friend for beer and fries. We caught up as we watched the NBA cancel all future games and learned that March Madness would just not happen. When we parted with a hug and a smile, how could I predict that would be my last night out and the last human touch from someone other than my kids, husband or cat until … time unknown. And that the very bar we sat so companionably in — chatting with the bartender and a little old man seated next to us drinking his whiskey neat — would be closed for an undefined amount of time. That we’d all be quarantined in our homes?

We’ve fallen down the Rabbit Hole, dear readers. But instead of curling up in a little ball and waiting for things to get “better,” perhaps the best we can do for our selves and for our world is to use this time to explore Wonderland and open any door we can.

In December for the past several years, I’ve selected a word to frame the coming year. I selected my 2020 word for a host of reasons. One of them being the need to redefine myself based on a variety of things happening to me and around me. I needed to find my #Muchness.

I’ve used that hashtag a lot in 2020. Perhaps you are wondering what it might mean.

I often think that you might be. Though, you may not be at all and it’s only my Curious Soul that asks the questions, seeking to experience and understand.

Whatever the case, if you’re not Curious you may stop reading now.

If you’re bored and just looking for something to read, feel free to continue.

Or, if you are a Curious, Adventurous Soul … Read on, MacDuff.  (Yes, I’m intentionally extrapolating a line from my much-loved copy of Shakespeare’s Scottish Play!)

Anyway, I’ve often believed six impossible things before breakfast. And it’s the transformative power of making the impossible possible that is the essence of #Muchness. It’s reaching inside and finding more. It’s finding and cultivating talents, strength, ideas — whatever — when you’re not sure you have it — have them. It’s growing and shrinking and being unafraid when you can’t find the key or a way out of the room to explore the world. It’s learning about yourself and making your own determination of the path you will take and the White Rabbit you will follow.

A week ago when I started this post, our world was quite different and the Impossible Things List was different as well.  A week ago, I embraced an idea during my Yoga Shelter class based on something Jennifer — the Yogi guide/instructor (I’m really not sure what to call Yoga Teachers) that I can do hard things. That I am strong enough and resilient enough to balance, hold on and stay calm in the midst of challenges and all those difficult, seemingly “impossible” things that come my way. They are, after all, temporary. The difficult times will end. The hard pose (Boat, Half Moon, Majorette, Airplane or perhaps the simple reality of living in a world where we are quarantined from all the people we love and things we love to do) will end. It may last longer than we would like. But, like a movie, it will wrap and life will continue — albeit a bit differently than it once did.

What’s happening right now in our world — the COVID-19 epidemic — has altered my list of Impossible Things. I rework them daily anyway. But this epidemic and everything that drips from it is redefining what I am strong enough to handle.It’s pushing my Olivia Pope|Alice mantras and #Muchness to new levels.

2020 began a journey  — an adventure through the looking glass and a pretty impressive rabbit hole. I didn’t know what I would find. However, it certainly wasn’t my son coming home for Spring Break and staying home for the remainder of his Junior Year. It certainly wasn’t my daughter’s high school locking its doors and cancelling everything important to her and her friends. And it absolutely wasn’t education happening remotely or by PC! It certainly wasn’t the swim team that my husband worked so hard coaching since December who had such amazing success learning it wouldn’t be making that dream trip to State Finals or that all his favorite sporting events that he so enjoys watching would be cancelled.

I took a few days off last week after running a HUGE event — quite spectacularly and successfully too (she adds with a smile and wink). I cleaned my desk — yes, wiped it down and everything!, put away and packed up a few things and walked out the Stage Door to enjoy some much needed R & R after a busy month of long-hours and working weekends. Who knew that would be the last time I walked thru the DSO doors for quite a while? That concerts would be cancelled and postponed? Who knew I would be working remotely and trying to figure out how to plan events when we have no idea if and when those events can even happen?

Six Impossible Things. I believe in them before breakfast. I think about them … and how I can make them possible. In these strange times, Alice in Wonderland isn’t as crazy as you might think. She’s my guide as I explore and seek my #Muchness.

Join me on the Adventure. Tune in again soon for the next installment as Alice and I take you on a journey into Wonderland … you’re closer than you think.

                                                                                                                Jenni