If my first post was intended for instructors, this one is for everyone – students, instructors and everyone else. I will open a subject of what awaits us in the future.
It seems a bit foggy doesn't it?
The whole quarantine time has been a living definition of contradictions. Maybe not the same in all countries, but here's what we have been hearing (adapted after unknown source):
- You are not allowed to leave your house. If you must, you can.
- Face masks are useless. But maybe we should wear them anyway. They can save our lives.
- Stores will be closed. All but those, which are open.
- Don't go to your doctor too sick. And only go there in case of emergency.
- Stay home to stay safe. But go outdoor everyday to stay healthy.
- Visits in elderly homes are not allowed, because you can bring the virus to them. Best is to take your elderly home and take care of him there.
- On solid surfaces virus can survive 2 hours. No, 4 hours. Maybe 6. Were we talking hours or days? But it has to be moistly. Well, not necessarily.
- We will become resistant to virus with herd immunity (when enough people get it), but be careful not to catch it.
Basically, we are all learning as we go. Nobody really knows anything for sure. Which leads to a lot of confusion and a lot of possible misunderstandings.
Whether you are already in a period of loosening measurements or still in complete lock-down, you are probably thinking »What now?«
I'd say it's a 3-step guide that would works best in the future:
STEP 1: PASSION FOR COMPASSION
What I mean by that is we should first get infected by compassion. We should feel it, breath it and live it in every moment. Because now more then ever, we are walking on thin ice of getting into completely unnecessary conflicts, misunderstandings and not needed complications. We cannot expect people to have the same opinions if the officials are letting out so many contradictory information and internet is flooded with another gazillion of theories on everything.
Turn on your empathy and think about it:
- Some people may loose their jobs.
- Some people may loose their businesses.
- For some people this is their whole life.
- Some people might live in fear of the virus spreading.
- Some people might still get sick.
- Some people might loose a loved one.
- For those people that can be their whole life.
- Some people might fear the vaccine coming.
- Some people can't wait for that to happen.
- Some people might be angry of the 5G spreading.
- Some people work in IT (can't wait for that to happen).
- Some people might be pissed about the governmental affairs in disguise.
- There might be some people who are happy about it.
- Some people might wear face masks everywhere.
- Some people might never wear a face mask.
- Some people are dying to hug you.
- Some people fear you will hug them.
- Some people are lonely and will fall into depression.
- Some people might be overwhelmed with too much obligations.
- Some people already have a tough life path behind them.
- Some people will break the rules just because they can.
- And some many more...
You must admit, there was at least a line or two where you got a little shivers over your body, right? A little dwarf coming into your brain saying »How can they?« :)
Our natural inclination is to get judgy on some of those people. Because we divide ourselves into us and them. Us that believe this and them, who believe that. It's a normal human reaction.
In social psychology this phenomenon is also called belongingness - a human emotional need to affiliate with and be accepted by members of a group (in case you wanted to hear this philosophical mumbo-jumbo :) ). This includes not only having acquaintances, but to gain their acceptance, attention and support. In other words, to share an opinion on things and act accordingly.
Picking sides is always a personal choice and it has been so since forever. It bases on the paradigm of »greater pain«. We always choose the side that drives us further from the pain that other side causes us. Everything else is about propaganda. (You probably saw that joke, where Flu and Corona fight over why Corona has so much attention and she claims it's because she had a better Marketing).
So, since there is no absolute right or wrong, the most logical thing to avoid unnecessary conflicts is to show compassion to everyone above mentioned (and more). Compassion might be that nice absorber and healing power for everyone to get back up on their feet. Whether we agree with something or not, we can still be kind. It's as simple as that. Be kind. It will empower us and others and with that build a stronger social community.
STEP 2: HOW ABOUT OPTIMISM?
It's time to lift the head up and start seeing opportunities. If some doors have closed, windows are opening somewhere else. I don't believe in complete victim mode even in a situation like this. In the midst of troubles always lies an opportunity. It might even be a better one.
I would say that if any phase of the »pandemic« has thrown us out of balance in any way, it was there to teach us something and bring us closer to being ourselves. I've learned so far in my life that crisis in life push on the buttons that we have not yet resolved. So whatever throws us off is probably area, where we were climbing up the hill. And it was probably not just the wrong direction... It might have been the wrong hill! That basically means – if you lost your job, maybe it wasn't the job for you. If you fell into feelings of fear it is because you didn't have strong enough faith or haven't yet build safety you needed in life. If you felt overwhelmed with obligations and restrictions it might be, you need to let go of the control-freaky persona a little. If you felt anger and resentment, you should perhaps consider any unresolved grief from the past or why you like to surrender your destiny into the hands of others. If you got into irreparable fight with someone, well, maybe it's time to let go of that relationship or at least the drama around it.
So ask yourself, what have I learned from this »pandemic period« about myself? What popped up? What did I loose? And after that – what kind of opportunity did that open for me? What new window has opened? Where can I search for it? Can I maybe do that thing I wanted to do ages ago, but never found time/will/energy? How can I benefit from this? What can I do now to turn things for the better?
And if there were things you really liked about this period, how can you make them last? What can you do to transfer the good of lock-down into the old-new reality after reopen?
STEP 3: INFLUENCE OF PATIENCE
Phew, in case patience wasn’t your strongest virtue, I am sure it is popping out now. Our society was driven with “always more” and “not now, rather yesterday”, with instant satisfaction of needs and throwing away what isn’t in perfect shape anymore (whether be things, relationships, dreams…). Therefore, it is hard to hear that annoying “Now all you have to do is wait.” But no one can rush it.
A gardener doesn’t see the results of his work immediately. He has to water the seeds, take care that the birds don’t eat them, make sure they get enough sunlight etc. As do all planted seeds of our life changes. They need time. So it might be the hardest step of all, but time flies by anyway, right? :)
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Love you all <3
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