Uncharted territory. We watch and wait. The world is different today than it was yesterday and it’s uncomfortable. We are losing normal. This is not our first experience with this. We have been here before. Each time there is a disaster and the devastation plays out in it’s stark reality, we’re reminded of the same things. One of them is the fact that if we have any sense of control in our lives, it’s an illusion at best. If we feel powerful or important, nature has a way of reminding us of how irrelevant we can be. Be it earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorism, fires, floods or hurricanes, we are reminded of all that can be taken from us in a heartbeat.
This time, it’s something much smaller and yet equally as powerful as Mother Nature at her maleficent best. A virus, invisible and microscopic is changing our lives.
Apparently, most of us will survive it’s invasion. Tragically, some will not. The world is reacting in an abundance of caution. I picture us and the virus the way two heavyweight boxers circle each other before one strikes the first blow. We are poised and waiting, muscles tensed, hopeful that we are in good enough shape to hold our own.
In these moments I feel small. I also feel foolish. I think about all the planning, hard work, and the sense that I am at the helm of my life. It works most of the time. Sometimes, it’s even true. And realistically, we have to plan and set goals and try to have some command over the events of our lives. There would be way too much chaos, unpaid bills, unfinished projects and disappointed people scattered over the landscape of life if we didn’t. We have to live and follow the rules to a degree. We have to pay the required prices for those things we consume. Unless we want to walk the planet like a nomad, we have to run on the hamster wheel. Basic necessities are non negotiable. So we hope for good health, strive for education and a good job to provide a home, food, water, insurance, heat, lights, transportation. All the things that make life manageable and infinitely more pleasant. Attaining these things can provide a sense of accomplishment, joy and satisfaction.
But then somewhere along that path there’s a kool-aid stand offering large glasses of, it’s not enough. You need newer, bigger, faster, shinier, designer, more high tech. And we belly up to the kool aid bar and keep asking for refills. We wonder why we’re stressed, exhausted, disconnected, lonely, and broke. And we never get off the hamster wheel. The machinations of the world, especially the advertising world and social media, are committed to keeping us running.
And now this. A crisis which is forcing the world to reevaluate. It’s as unknown to most of us as walking on the moon. What do you mean, stop, slow down, stay home, isolate? We’ll lose our place in the race! For many, it’s terrifying. Besides the deaths, the global and economic implications mean immediate, and possibly catastrophic, financial uncertainty and hardship. This is real and needs to be recognized. People will suffer.
It’s possible that this will go on long enough to force some into evaluating what is actually necessary to sustain their lives. How much is need, and how much is excess? How much of ourselves have we mortgaged? Have we invested more into building our RRSPs than we have into building our character or our families? Have we relinquished our significance in the world to the pursuit of insignificant things? How much of our peace of mind and our enjoyment of life are we willing to sacrifice on the altar of never enough?
Stop, slow down, stay home. It’s a chance to answer those questions. It’s an opportunity to reacquaint yourself with your people, even if presently we may be required to do that through technology. Spend a minute getting reacquainted with yourself. Just exhale. Care enough about humanity to do the right thing. Let financial insecurity give you new eyes. Take stock. What is essential? What can be sold, downsized, reused. What do you have that could help someone else? Hold space and listen to the silence. We all have an inner voice that tells us the truth. How long has it been since you heard yours? Is your life the life you want, or what the world tells you that you want? Are you the man/woman that you set out to be?
Yes. This is uncharted territory. At this moment there is more uncertainty than facts. In the grand scheme of things, it might be a blip on the radar. We might not even totally get off the wheel before the machine rights itself and powers up again. Or. It might be like a devastating earthquake that disrupts our lives and leaves them different than they were before. This might seem like a disaster or it might feel like a blessing. At this early stage we might not even have had time to process what it feels like, other than crazy.
All I know is that it feels like a reset. Like a child must feel when they go to sleep in the car and wake up somewhere they have never been before. It takes a minute to take it all in. At this juncture we can see what’s in place that works well, and use it as a microscope to focus in on what’s broken and needs repair. Anything that causes this much upheaval provokes a myriad of reactions and solutions. Ultimately, we will move forward based on what we value most. Remembering that we belong to each other is paramount. Remaining open and courageous will take us to tomorrow and beyond.
Mary Oliver wrote, “Someone I loved once gave me a box of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too was a gift.” This gift, if it is one, might have layers and layers to unwrap. Some will do it with trembling hands, some with grief stricken hearts and some will sink into the opportunity ready to begin it’s unveiling.
“Tikkun Olam” is a phrase and a purpose used by Jewish denominations which means, to repair the world. It is an aspiration to behave and act constructively and beneficially. Whether it’s about our own world, as citizens of the world, or both, it is an aspiration worthy of this extraordinary moment.
Something to Shay 