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Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.
Buddha
It’s hard to believe fall is here, with leaves just barely hanging on, Halloween has already come and gone (sort of) and the Winter Holiday’s are really just around the corner. It’s still the strangest of days…..with so many continuous unknowns in the world. How long will the Coronavirus be the focus of the news, the uncertain economic and political climate, the unusual and disruptive work and school environments with so many of us working and studying from home. Many of us now without work. Wow. It sure is a lot to manage. It’s a hard time to be a Human Being. We’ve got no choice but to go with the flow. That is, if we want to be happy and balanced. Just as the season changes from it’s brighter days, faster pace and outward activity, we too must follow its lead and move towards a more internal, introspective, slower speed as we find new ways to stay healthy and strong during these challenging times. More important than ever, we need to get outside whatever the weather, take deep, deep breaths and remember, that we are still here. Our new normal may never feel normal to us and yet how can we still realize our own personal sense of wellbeing? We’ve already been forced to slow down, do things differently, change up our routines and for those of us, particularly in the northern hemisphere, as we lose precious daylight, we must keep our own inner spark alive and bright. It might seem impossible with everything happening around us, much of it out of our control. In Canada, and in many places around the world, we currently have strict safety protocols still in place. Social distancing, hand washing, and masks being mandatory are essential in flattening the curve of this pandemic. If we can take care of ourselves and our loved ones, physically and emotionally, and take care of the planet at the same time…..it just might be a win win. Using a reusable, washable, eco friendly mask is one way to tackle this. The planet is already becoming littered with single use latex gloves, and masks….on top of the pre-pandemic garbage load our precious earth was already contending with. The approaching holiday season is an opportunity- albeit different this year- to give a gift that satisfies many checks off the list! Safe- check. Eco friendly- check. Affordable-check. Thoughtful-check.
The Siddhi bamboo face mask is hand made with premium Oeko-tex certified bamboo fabric. This beautiful material is soft as silk, breathable, washable and perfect for the ‘hard to buy for’ friend or family member. Versatile in how it can be worn, tied around the back or looped around the ears depending on personal preference. Sadly, masks are here to stay, in the foreseeable future at least and we might as well be comfortable while staying safe. In addition to saving the medical masks for the medics, locally made in small batches, our Canadian face masks are a saving grace for quick trips to the store for essentials and when 6 ft apart isn’t an option. The filter pocket adds another level of protection for those wanting more than two layers of fabric.
It’s been said our masks “feel barely there”, “light as air” and “I forgot I was wearing it”. We love getting feedback like that, about our masks and all of our Bamboo apparel.
Most of our masks have two colour options as well, with contrasting front and back hues or patterns and so it’s almost like having two masks in one! The biggest challenge with our masks (in addition to having the difficult task of narrowing down which colour or pattern you’d like) is can your smile get big enough so your comfort and ease are felt with your eyes!! To us, wearing a Siddhi bamboo face mask says “I care enough about my neighbour, friend, community and planet to protect us all”.
We may not get to embrace and hug, unwrap presents together or share a meal side by side around a table this year, but we can get fun and creative in so many other ways. With the incredible technology we have at our finger tips, we can be together in new ways, certainly in spirit. And if tech isn’t your thing, let’s not forget some of the ‘old school’ ways that we used to use easily to connect with those we care about. A letter, a phone call, a care package in the mail can lift spirits and surprise and delight someone who wasn’t expecting it at all!
A Siddhiwear bamboo face mask is just one of the many treats you can send a loved one this holiday season. Easy enough to order online and small enough to fit into an envelope, even paired with a matching Stretch siddhi toque or scarf, to help you or those you love get through these strange days with a little extra dose of TLC. We could all use some extra coziness and comfort now, no matter what the upcoming holiday season has in store.
We may not be able to control the outside world, the economy, the coronavirus or anything else going on ‘out there’. But we can continue, or try at least, to take care of the inside world, by paying attention to our thoughts, our actions, our choices. Maybe it’s slowing down, maybe it’s counting to 3 before we react too quickly, maybe it’s a simple choice to drink more water and take some vitamins today. One day at a time. Breath by breath, moment to moment. It’s surprisingly the baby steps, the little efforts here and there that actually lead to change over time which eventually become lasting and sustainable.
Wash your hands, stay in your bubble, connect with friends and family in new ways, watch your thoughts, take deep breaths and wear a mask….ideally a reusable, washable one.
Stay Safe, Stay Well and Check out siddhiwear.com for all your cozy comfort needs.