It has not stopped me!
Yes, I can not go out and volunteer, and all things I had planned to do this month were canceled in a blink of an eye. However, all it has done is make me to start thinking outside the box.
Me, like many other people, went through the stages of anger and fear. I am still bitter that I can't do much but me being the outgoing person that I am will be a little bitter about that until we get some stuff back opened again! Here is a great chart to make the rest of my point clear.
I feel that I am currently in between the Learning Zone and the Growth Zone. Like I am getting excited about some things like I can focus on like reading more books, and trying new things. I have basically blocked all news sources on my facebook page, and I don't have tv stations or cable so I don't watch the news. That has helped with my anger and anxiety. I look for good outlets to watch and participate in like we did our small group via Zoom this Wednesday. Oh, and watched the first episode of John Krasinski's new youtube channel Some Good News! This has really helped to get out of the "I can't believe all the stuff I want to do I can't do" part of it all. I am slowly trying to figure out how to Volunteer, or do some good in the world by helping.
March was weird because we were open to do things here in Knoxville, then we weren't. Then we thought we would be back to normal by the end of the month, then we weren't. Now, that we know we are basically like this until further notice, I have accepted it.... somewhat. So, there has been a lot of talk supporting local, and eating local to go, and shopping local. I want to, and trust me I have with the food, but I don't have that kind of money to do it all the time. So, when I have gone to eat I have ordered it on a delivery app, to help those who are driving keep their jobs and get money in, and trying to do local food.
The one thing that I found too was not only supporting local food and shopping but local artists! I have never really realized how something like this would effect those who are musicians, painters, photographers, and all other people who fall under this category. That is until Stacy Mitchhart started doing a lot of live events on his facebook page.
I think I have mentioned him once before way back, but Stacy is one of the regular headliners at the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar in Nashville. My dad has been friends with him for like 20+ years. My dad was there when Stacy did his first album recording at Bourbon Street Blues. I saw Stacy a few years back when he did a solo concert out in Knoxville, and I saw him again last year when mom and dad took me. It was the first time I went to Bourbon Street Blues and it was ridiculously fun!
Anyways, Stacy has been going live on his facebook page and set up virtual tip jars. This is a guy who for the last few decades has been making his live by doing live shows almost every night. He is established enough to have a following but I don't think he is making millions of dollars off of sales and stuff like that. So, he had to get creative and found a way to put on shows, while still following the CDC guidelines. So, I have been doing what I can. I tipped him some money on his virtual tip jar but I have watched every live show that he has put on in the last week and a half. I know that it's not a whole lot but really it helps. It show that I am watching and sharing, and Stacy still works, and gets paid, but he also give us something to look forward to. I know it's not the same as seeing him live, or going out but I love watching his concerts! He is getting creative on where he is doing his solo sets too. He did one the other night in the back of his Cadillac and the other on his tour bus. He has done a few on his patio and he has a show tonight where some of his band mates are going to be with him tonight! The fun thing is I am going to do laundry at my parents house tonight and we are going to watch the stream together. Hopefully, we will see Stacy in person soon!
As for the month of April, I have a few ideas to be helpful, and still follow guidelines. Trust me, this is not how I wanted to spend this year. This is not how I wanted to be of help to my fellow man this year. However, it's funny how much my ideas of projects seem to fall when they really needed me to. Last year, I had to study for a lot of things I didn't know I would have to study for, and reading really got my butt in gear for that. Now, we need some good, we need some help, and I am excited to do that where I can. It may not have been what I have planned, but I guess sometimes it's just about the anticipation, and everything else falls into place.
If you are interested in Stacy Mitchhart's music, or his live events coming up, check out his facebook page and website here!
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