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Letter To My Barre3 Community: We Can Weather This Storm, Together
With COVID-19 updates coming at us from every direction, lifestyle articles encouraging us to “make the most of this time,” and, for parents, the pressure to instantly master home-schooling, it can be easy to let anxiety take the reins right now. That’s why we love this essay from author, photographer, and teacher Christine Bayles Kortsch. Written as a letter to the entire barre3 community (that’s you!), Christine’s piece reminds us that sometimes the most helpful approach is to relinquish control, focus on the present moment, and, as she puts it, “accept the gift of vulnerability.” Thank you, Christine, for your beautiful words and refreshing perspective!
Dear barre3 Community,
Our world feels fragile. All of a sudden, uncertainty looms. We’re putting on the brave face and finding strength in online workouts and FaceTime calls with relatives and friends, but we’re scared. About this virus, about money, about getting sick, about parents or grandparents, about the state of our world. And maybe, even though it feels trivial when so much else is at stake, if you’re a parent like me, maybe you’re worried about the simple reality of being cooped up with your kids.
When I was a mom to two young boys and a literature professor, wondering how on earth to balance it all, my mom told me: “Remember there will be seasons. No season lasts forever, so try to slow down and enjoy the one you’re in.”
Guess what? This is also a season. And like all seasons, we don’t control it. We can’t force spring to come any sooner or slow down the passage of time. We can’t change circumstances beyond our control. Sometimes, rather than fighting reality, it’s a matter of digging deep for the courage to see it for what it is. We can open ourselves to a beautiful opportunity: the chance to respond with clarity and grace to what is, not what might be.
Of course this sounds too easy. But that’s the work, isn’t it? To stay with the things that are hard with as much poise as we can muster. To recognize the moments when we need a break and take it, without shame. To find the pockets of ease, the release of laughter, and the camaraderie of friends who hold us up when we stumble.
Before you start thinking this is a letter about seizing the day or enjoying what you have while it lasts, don’t worry. I’m not here to prod you into gratitude by stirring up fears of what might go wrong. Things do go wrong. They’re going wrong in very visible ways right now. But the unfortunate reality is that things run amok every day whether or not we are there to witness it. Why? Suffering is part of life. Often, we hide our eyes from this reality. We want to believe in our free will, the sovereignty of choice, the security of wealth—and ultimately in our immunity to pain. But to be alive is to risk pain. That is a given. What we have control over is how we respond.
As someone with a vivid imagination and early experiences with tragedy, I’ve learned that often the things we worry about never come to pass. Other things happen, of course, because this is real life we’re living, not a Hallmark movie. But no matter what comes our way, we are in a better position to deal with it if we’re calm and grounded. The overactive imagination and existential fears late at night? I’ve been down that road, and I can tell you from experience that if you let anxiety rule your mind, you will only wear down your soul.
A better choice? Use that imagination to cultivate connection and creativity. Be real with those you love so you can encourage each other. Accept the gift of vulnerability. Gather your strength for what is actually happening. Sink into whatever joy and beauty exist in this moment right here. Hold tight to the hands of those you love, not in clutching fear but in immeasurable gratitude for the gift of right now.
One of my favorite writers Frederick Buechner wrote, “Here is the world. Terrible and beautiful things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” How on earth to tolerate that paradox? Well, maybe it’s like all the other paradoxes we must live into every day. We don’t tackle them all at once, but moment by moment. It’s the ease in the effort, as we say at barre3. Grace and grit. Pushing through and letting go. Ebb and flow.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to get laser-focused on the now. Treasure those snuggles at bedtime, the extra time with your partner. Notice the tender, easy-to-ignore ways that children teach us how to be in the present moment. Slow down. Notice leaves shimmering in the trees, the pleasure of reading a book in a patch of afternoon light, the joy of making a batch of cookies. The soft innocence of a hand in yours.
At the same time, recognize that the fear is real. Many of us are juggling work and family, many of us work by the hour. Some of us are facing dire financial concerns or have friends and family who are already worried about their next meal. When we look beyond our own needs, we can see that the most vulnerable people in our communities will suffer the most. This is a global issue. We need to take care of each other now more than ever.
We call ourselves a barre3 community. This is our moment to make good on that promise. Let’s support each other by standing shoulder to shoulder, if not in a studio, then through a screen. Let’s encourage each other to breathe, to stay calm, to offer light and generosity to those who need it most. Practice daily acts of kindness. Donate to reputable organizations. Leave a bag of groceries on someone’s porch. Write an encouraging note.
There will be moments when it’s about survival, one foot in front of the other. Some days time will slow down to sticky counters and Legos underfoot, unpaid bills and stress chomping at your mind. These are the moments we all need to step away and breathe.
Maybe rather than watching the news, we’d be better served by streaming a workout from our local studio or from barre3 online. I still remember the very first online workout I did with Sadie. Something immediately clicked, and I was hooked. When we take just ten minutes to connect mindfully with our bodies, we tap into deeper currents of energy and calm.
Something is holding us up, a grace running underground, if only we would take a few minutes to listen for it. Those little daily rituals of pausing to nourish ourselves and others might be just enough to get us through. And then new energy will swirl into the gaps, like tide pools refilling.
So don’t give up, fellow warrior. I see your strength, your kindness, and your sacrifice for the good of the many. You’re not alone, and your loving work will shape the world to come. I’ll be with you online, breathing with my hand over my heart, and I’ll be cheering you on. We’re in this together.
With love,
Christine
Christine Bayles Kortsch, PhD, is an author, photographer, and teacher. Her new book, Tiny Dino Worlds: Create Your Own Prehistoric Habitats (Roost Books, March 2020) shows dinosaur lovers of all ages how to create prehistoric habitats with real plants. Christine’s essays and photos have appeared in Taproot, Bella Grace, and 5280 magazine. She has a PhD in English Literature and teaches succulent container gardening and terrarium design at the Denver Botanic Gardens and creative writing at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Christine lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and two children. When not whipping up a mess in her tiny kitchen or singing harmony in the car, Christine can be found writing a novel and renovating a mountain cabin. Connect with Christine on Instagram @christinebayleskortsch or learn more at cbkortsch.com. Christine has been a member at barre3 Cherry Creek since 2014.
At barre3, we’re committed to connection, to encouragement, and to lifting one another up. Join the barre3 community today with a 15-day free trial of barre3 at-home workouts.
With COVID-19 updates coming at us from every direction, lifestyle articles encouraging us to “make the most of this time,” and, for parents, the pressure to instantly master home-schooling, it can be easy to let anxiety take the reins right now. That’s why we love this essay from author, photographer, and teacher Christine Bayles Kortsch. Written as a letter to the entire barre3 community (that’s you!), Christine’s piece reminds us that sometimes the most helpful approach is to relinquish control, focus on the present moment, and, as she puts it, “accept the gift of vulnerability.” Thank you, Christine, for your beautiful words and refreshing perspective!
Dear barre3 Community,
Our world feels fragile. All of a sudden, uncertainty looms. We’re putting on the brave face and finding strength in online workouts and FaceTime calls with relatives and friends, but we’re scared. About this virus, about money, about getting sick, about parents or grandparents, about the state of our world. And maybe, even though it feels trivial when so much else is at stake, if you’re a parent like me, maybe you’re worried about the simple reality of being cooped up with your kids.
When I was a mom to two young boys and a literature professor, wondering how on earth to balance it all, my mom told me: “Remember there will be seasons. No season lasts forever, so try to slow down and enjoy the one you’re in.”
Guess what? This is also a season. And like all seasons, we don’t control it. We can’t force spring to come any sooner or slow down the passage of time. We can’t change circumstances beyond our control. Sometimes, rather than fighting reality, it’s a matter of digging deep for the courage to see it for what it is. We can open ourselves to a beautiful opportunity: the chance to respond with clarity and grace to what is, not what might be.
Of course this sounds too easy. But that’s the work, isn’t it? To stay with the things that are hard with as much poise as we can muster. To recognize the moments when we need a break and take it, without shame. To find the pockets of ease, the release of laughter, and the camaraderie of friends who hold us up when we stumble.
Before you start thinking this is a letter about seizing the day or enjoying what you have while it lasts, don’t worry. I’m not here to prod you into gratitude by stirring up fears of what might go wrong. Things do go wrong. They’re going wrong in very visible ways right now. But the unfortunate reality is that things run amok every day whether or not we are there to witness it. Why? Suffering is part of life. Often, we hide our eyes from this reality. We want to believe in our free will, the sovereignty of choice, the security of wealth—and ultimately in our immunity to pain. But to be alive is to risk pain. That is a given. What we have control over is how we respond.
As someone with a vivid imagination and early experiences with tragedy, I’ve learned that often the things we worry about never come to pass. Other things happen, of course, because this is real life we’re living, not a Hallmark movie. But no matter what comes our way, we are in a better position to deal with it if we’re calm and grounded. The overactive imagination and existential fears late at night? I’ve been down that road, and I can tell you from experience that if you let anxiety rule your mind, you will only wear down your soul.
A better choice? Use that imagination to cultivate connection and creativity. Be real with those you love so you can encourage each other. Accept the gift of vulnerability. Gather your strength for what is actually happening. Sink into whatever joy and beauty exist in this moment right here. Hold tight to the hands of those you love, not in clutching fear but in immeasurable gratitude for the gift of right now.
One of my favorite writers Frederick Buechner wrote, “Here is the world. Terrible and beautiful things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” How on earth to tolerate that paradox? Well, maybe it’s like all the other paradoxes we must live into every day. We don’t tackle them all at once, but moment by moment. It’s the ease in the effort, as we say at barre3. Grace and grit. Pushing through and letting go. Ebb and flow.
Perhaps this is an opportunity to get laser-focused on the now. Treasure those snuggles at bedtime, the extra time with your partner. Notice the tender, easy-to-ignore ways that children teach us how to be in the present moment. Slow down. Notice leaves shimmering in the trees, the pleasure of reading a book in a patch of afternoon light, the joy of making a batch of cookies. The soft innocence of a hand in yours.
At the same time, recognize that the fear is real. Many of us are juggling work and family, many of us work by the hour. Some of us are facing dire financial concerns or have friends and family who are already worried about their next meal. When we look beyond our own needs, we can see that the most vulnerable people in our communities will suffer the most. This is a global issue. We need to take care of each other now more than ever.
We call ourselves a barre3 community. This is our moment to make good on that promise. Let’s support each other by standing shoulder to shoulder, if not in a studio, then through a screen. Let’s encourage each other to breathe, to stay calm, to offer light and generosity to those who need it most. Practice daily acts of kindness. Donate to reputable organizations. Leave a bag of groceries on someone’s porch. Write an encouraging note.
There will be moments when it’s about survival, one foot in front of the other. Some days time will slow down to sticky counters and Legos underfoot, unpaid bills and stress chomping at your mind. These are the moments we all need to step away and breathe.
Maybe rather than watching the news, we’d be better served by streaming a workout from our local studio or from barre3 online. I still remember the very first online workout I did with Sadie. Something immediately clicked, and I was hooked. When we take just ten minutes to connect mindfully with our bodies, we tap into deeper currents of energy and calm.
Something is holding us up, a grace running underground, if only we would take a few minutes to listen for it. Those little daily rituals of pausing to nourish ourselves and others might be just enough to get us through. And then new energy will swirl into the gaps, like tide pools refilling.
So don’t give up, fellow warrior. I see your strength, your kindness, and your sacrifice for the good of the many. You’re not alone, and your loving work will shape the world to come. I’ll be with you online, breathing with my hand over my heart, and I’ll be cheering you on. We’re in this together.
With love,
Christine
Christine Bayles Kortsch, PhD, is an author, photographer, and teacher. Her new book, Tiny Dino Worlds: Create Your Own Prehistoric Habitats (Roost Books, March 2020) shows dinosaur lovers of all ages how to create prehistoric habitats with real plants. Christine’s essays and photos have appeared in Taproot, Bella Grace, and 5280 magazine. She has a PhD in English Literature and teaches succulent container gardening and terrarium design at the Denver Botanic Gardens and creative writing at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Christine lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and two children. When not whipping up a mess in her tiny kitchen or singing harmony in the car, Christine can be found writing a novel and renovating a mountain cabin. Connect with Christine on Instagram @christinebayleskortsch or learn more at cbkortsch.com. Christine has been a member at barre3 Cherry Creek since 2014.
At barre3, we’re committed to connection, to encouragement, and to lifting one another up. Join the barre3 community today with a 15-day free trial of barre3 at-home workouts.
