We are experiencing a unique and different time. With the global outbreak of COVID-19, the world has taken a pause and shut down its doors.
For the first time in history, most human interaction is occurring digitally. Families have not hugged each other for months.
With silence comes a lot of self-reflection, a lot of thought, anxiety and loneliness.
Many of us are wondering:
How long will we need to live like this?
Will our world go back to how it has always been?
What I do know is that humanity has survived quite a few pandemics. However, with every struggle comes a lesson. Through self reflection answers start to appear.
Let us look at the negative outcomes:
- The world economy has suffered causing many people to lose their jobs.
- Supply systems are at capacity since many of us are choosing deliveries to the our doors.
- Children are out of school and not able to finish their school year.
- Hospitals are operating at capacity trying to treat the ill.
- Governments have been brought to their knees not knowing how to respond.
- People being restricted to staying home affecting our physical and mental state.
- Families and children struggling to put food on the table due to loss of income.
Now that we have reflected into the deep pain this pandemic has caused, let us shift our outlook to the positive side. This will be hard to get to, however it may truly open our eyes to new awakenings.
The positive outcomes: - The levels of pollution globally have fallen to record lows. The air has cleared up and the sky is bluer that ever before.
- Animals around the world are starting to appear in areas where they have never been seen, due to the fact that humans are in hiding and not posing a threat on their environment.
- Humanity is learning how to be "okay" alone. We are learning how to sit in silence and observe.
- Purposeful work is happening because for the first time in history people are using this time to pursue passions and things they have always wanted but never had the time to.
- Children are for the first time truly bonding with their parents. Bonding is far beyond seeing someone for a few hours at their best behavior. It is truly seeing someone fully as they are.
- Work and career goals are for the first time secondary to life. This should have always been the case. What are we chasing? Why not enjoy the moment?
- The world is embracing innovation and re-thinking how we did things and using technology to bring people together for the first time.
- We are being reminded that we have always looked at each other as threats and the world has always prioritized and invested in weapons that are designed to kill people. Yet our biggest threat is a pandemic and no weapons or army can stop this, only real science.
- As a first, we praise and appreciate front line workers like nurses and doctors as well as our necessary workforce that is working everyday to get food and necessary supplies to people.
What amazes me most is despite the change this has caused, people don't feel anger towards COVID-19. Why?
It is a product of nature, something we can't control to serve a purpose we have yet to understand. However, I want to challenge you on a concept; when is something happening to us in our control? Why do we feel anger and resentment towards other things?
Almost every external factor is always out of our control. The only control we have in the world is of our actions and mindset. Our entire purpose is to master control of ourselves through the ups and downs of life.
Thus, no matter the situation, it should not create anger or resentment. With all situations, there is always a positive and a negative story. You can choose which story you want to hear and focus on. You can also choose which actions and emotions you choose. These are the only things in your control.
Take time to reflect during this time on what actions you can control today and what outcomes they can produce. Worry little about the external factors since these will always be there. The only constant and steady beat in this world is "you".
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