Quarantine Questions: Kevin Paris
While we're collectively going through something we probably never expected to ever experience in our lifetime, there are many ways we're processing, coping, and dealing with the unknown. Some of us may be taking the time to learn something new or perhaps picking up an old hobby we simply lost touch with. Some of us may be binge-watching all of the Netflix or Hulu shows we never seemed to have time for before. Maybe we're trying to keep active and healthy both physically and mentally with yoga, at-home workouts, meditation, cooking healthier foods, etc. The important thing to remember is we're all going through this experience together, but we all feel its impact differently. Maybe it's not the same way you're choosing to get through, but try not to judge the way others are. Most importantly, don't judge yourself. Be kind to one another. Be gentle to you.
Personally, I needed a little inspiration! There's nothing that inspires me more than music and my favorite artists. I was curious about how some of them are spending their time social distancing from the world. Disconnecting? Interacting with fans? Creating? I spoke with musician Kevin Paris. Last year, he came to the yoga studio I used to go to, to play some live acoustic music while we did our yoga practice. It was life-changing, to say the least! I'm so grateful for that introduction to his music filled with blissful energy, hopeful love, and pure peace. His presence is just as naturally calming as his music is. If you're looking for some grounding, calming, and peaceful music, look no further than Kevin Paris. Here is how he is spending his quarantine:
1. How are you holding up during these unpredictable times? A positive outlook and grateful perspective are crucial to staying grounded. How are you spending your time keeping a happy and healthy mind, body, and soul?
Kevin Paris: I’ve been so blessed. I am holding up tremendously well! Being in Hawaii is a massive blessing at this time. Being able to be super healthy and surrounded by my best friends in the world, who are all artists and all running our own businesses, has kept us all super focused on creating tons of magic, opportunity, progress, and movement on everything that we’ve been doing for a while. But now, we have this opportunity to really tap into what quarantine has taught so many of us about art and working from home and having control over our lives, our cash flow, our connection to others and to our food. It has been so important and so helpful. We’ve all basically been diving deeper into community, food, music, and of course exercise. We’ve also all been doing a really incredible cleanse!
2. Are you turning to art and music to keep inspired? Creating it? Enjoying it? Both? What/who has helped the most?
Kevin Paris: Oh man, we’ve been making so much art! All of our friends here, we’re all content creators and we’ve been making more content than ever. Personally, I’m working on three albums: two for friends and one of my own as well as releasing singles of my own. Art has really gotten us through it and being able to create content for the world that is positive and uplifting, especially during hard times, has been absolutely incredible. Also, as artists, it’s interesting because artists oftentimes are the definition of “in quarantine.” If you think about an author just isolating themselves in a cabin and just creating.. that is the role. Songwriters, producers, etc. We are all very oftentimes in our own quarantine just creating and making art, so it’s not so much different on that end, outside of obviously all the pain and fear that some people are going through.
3. Many people might be scared or living in fear. What is a message of encouragement you can leave them with to motivate a more peaceful mindset?
Kevin Paris: I would say that so many people are living in fear, and I think fear is genuinely as important to learn from as the virus is. It’s a fact that fear influences how our body and our health operates and it’s our opportunity to use the placebo effect in a way that’s beneficial to our health. A lot of people are currently living in this state of fear, which is working in the same way as a placebo would, to help us heal, it’s making people sicker. So, I would say, living in a vibration, like you said, of positivity and having a more peaceful mindset and looking at the bright side of everything that this quarantine and virus has taught us about connection, our health, creating art, having greater control and independence for our careers, working more online, focusing on the environmental benefits that are happening by so many people not traveling as much and reconnecting to things like making our own meals, having our own food on hand, growing gardens, and turning to things like poetry, music, mediation, yoga, and at-home workouts. Looking at all of those things from a positive side and also using that positivity to pray for others and to make sure we’re checking in on other people to make sure they’re as good and healthy as they can be. Supporting all of our friends and family members, and those people on the front line who we don’t know who are putting their lives on the line every day going into hospitals and helping people, or working at the grocery store where there’s an influx of people coming in and out. Really focusing on those people because the vibration of love, peace, and positivity is so incredibly strong. For anybody who doesn’t believe that, look up what placebo is.
4. What are you most looking forward to when we no longer have to live our lives social distancing from one another?
Kevin Paris: I’m so excited to see what’s on the other end of people feeling isolated and disconnected. Sometimes we have to go really far in one direction to realize what’s on the other side. In this case, I think people are going to be so grateful for the minimal interactions that we have throughout the day, even with your cashiers, the person at the gas station, the person you’re walking down the street with, or someone you cross by, or people you’re in the grocery store with. The little things, realizing that’s so much of why we’re here - human connection. It’s built in us and our DNA. Between that, greater connectivity, greater understanding of our connection with ourselves and others. Also, all of the beautiful seeds that those who aren’t living in immense fear are planting. The people who are creating, working on their positive mindset, working on their health and happiness, and greater connection and time with their family, and just working towards a common goal of stopping Coronavirus as soon as possible. I feel like it’s great to have that commonality and something that we’re all working towards together!
If you haven't already, check out my interview with Kevin Paris from last year! I can only hope we can sit down together again sometime soon to connect again! Check out his music on Spotify, and follow him on Instagram @kevinparismusic
Stay safe and healthy. You're not alone. We will get through this stronger, more aware, and with far more compassion, empathy, and gratitude.