Coronavirus Roots and Wings

More than most of us ever knew, prior to the social isolation enforced for our own protection against coronavirus, is how meaningful in-person interactions are in our lives.

Despite the innovative online social creations of cocktail parties, dance parties, choruses and conferences, these do not entirely replicate the satisfaction of being among others in the same space at the same time doing these activities.

What, if any, is the stand-alone value in our lives, of a period of time which we didn’t initiate, were mandated to participate, don’t have decision-making authority as to how long it will last, and situates us by ourselves or among only household members, with no option to socialize or interact with others in person?

My answer starts from the theory that the diminishment of personal freedom to be among others encourages our inner freedom to be more deeply with ourselves and the few others with whom we share a household.

Self-reflection is a significant way each of us asserts the dignity of free will.

It is the one area of our lives during the virus lockdown in which each person retains and is free to manage whether to engage, for how long and in what particular areas to focus.

Self-reflection is a choice which right now seems to also be a necessity.

Instead of waiting for “this to be over”, and since media and governments already have told us that there is no cutoff date of when we return to pre-virus days, deepen your awareness in order to decide what areas within your life’s development have enough strength and value to carry forward.

Self-reflection relies on conditions which are mostly opposite the speedy, surface glance post and comment culture which encourages people to collect symbols of being liked.

Because the world we knew a month or two ago has disappeared, each of us has serious work ahead of designing at least tentative new paradigms for ourselves.

The time right now is similar to looking at a tree during winter.

The leaves are gone and the structure is clearly visible. A few limbs may appear weak, others which may have been hidden by beautiful leaves in summer and fall, only seem impressively strong.

Find your bare branches now, especially those that look strong enough to show bloom when spring arrives.

Because similar to winter passing, lockdown will gradually pass.

Be sure your branches are the essential ones which have the best chance to bloom.

How do you accomplish any of this self-reflecting on essentials in order to pick the ones with which to move your life ahead in strength and security?

Accept your life’s uniqueness and that only you know the best next step.

Avoid making life choices based on the logic of what will become the old world herd mentality of more "like" symbols mean more value.

Just as the theory of herd immunity to protect against the virus would likely damage us, the herd mentality of living as though individual uniqueness is insignificant, would also cause damage.

Just as coronavirus affects each person individually and uniquely, life similarly affects each of us differently than another.

Once you attune to your inner awareness of who you are, your mind and senses will open to signs around you which support and guide whatever you need to know to design and build your best life.

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash