Sixteen Pearls in the "Crown" / Corona
The disease also heals us. We can store and retrieve the pearls of meaning and wisdom from the ocean of our lives.
When something is inevitable in our lives, the most constructive decision is to invest our energy in extracting meaning and benefit from it, rather than resisting it. So I sat down to look for the pearls in that "corona" that reaches out to our bodies today.
The first pearl was there waiting for me in the morning, when I opened the window - the birds sang so loudly and were so many and different - that was truly impressive. I don't know what had affected them – the cleaner air, less urban noise, I took a dose of aesthetic pleasure. I live in the centre of Sofia, my inner yard had never sounded so full and rich.
The second obvious pearl is to asses our possessions. For a few days, we were stripped of our daily routine of having, of being able - to hug, to be together, to go and buy what we want, to have fun, to have our daily encounters with art and culture, to travel. Wondering which concert or spectacle to go to. The lack of all this can outline the infinitely large contours of the beautiful picture which until recently we have taken for granted.
The third pearl is that now we have a chance to realize what we need and what was just unnecessary consumption. Now that many people are starting to limit themselves because they are not sure how things will develop economically I am sure they will find that many of their daily consumption was unnecessary. How much of what we invested into our daily lives brings us satisfaction now?! I remember the myth of King Midas, who wanted everything he touched to turn into gold. His wish came true, and he was alone, surrounded by gold. What do we need gold for, if we have no one to share it with, if there is no art to empathize with and discuss, concepts to dispute.
The fourth pearl is to look at ourselves, to be noticed. Suddenly distance became important, before I was often shoved and hit on the street, but now everyone is aware of their boundaries. We walked without thinking of the other, everyone in his/her own world. Now our senses are more open and we perceive more - from the outside and from the inside. Only when I truly see you, when I am at the optimum distance, can I really connect with you - not with my notion of you, but with the real you!
The fifth pearl - helping yourself is helping all. This philosophy is embodied in our experience at the moment, and only experience brings true awareness.
The sixth pearl - to protect our roots, our wisdom and history. Our roots, our parents or grand-grandparents are most vulnerable. I am sure that in isolation, they are aware of our concern for them and can feel that they are important to us. And we, that are less vulnerable, feel the lack of hugging them, of being close to them.
The seventh pearl – time, a time to receive, a time to realize. We can take a look at old travel photos and enjoy the memory, play our favourite movie, sit down with a book in our hand and have a sip of aromatic coffee. A time to connect - we can't touch each other physically, but we can "touch" with our eyes, we can share, we can exchange thoughts and feelings.
The eighth pearl - to prepare our own food, to search for new recipes with rice and pasta. It is important to have a sense of humour when too much fear lurks around – there comes laughter and acceptance.
The ninth pearl - an opportunity to look at our life from aside. We stepped down from the carousel for a moment and there is a chance to take stock, a pause - how are we feeling, are we satisfied, do we need something different, something new.
The tenth pearl - a change. Change is a creative process and so it always brings development. It is not pleasant when it is imposed, but it certainly stimulates our brains towards improvement.
The eleventh pearl - we are not immortal, life has a beginning and an end and it is flowing, here on this earth. If they take away from us "tomorrow", what are we going to do today?! As the saying goes - thanks for the question.
The twelfth pearl - ego can destroy us. Crown, power. Incidentally or not, this disease has caught us a long time ago and it does not surprise me that it finally materialized literally. Ego takes away the free spirit and spontaneity, makes breathing difficult. Breathing is freedom, space. We have to make space for ourselves, for others, for our thoughts and feelings, to be truly free.
The thirteenth pearl - we are all one. For days, a small, microscopic virus caught us in its net and bound us. We hand over the baton daily, but we rarely realize it. Isolation tells us how precious all of which we are part of is and how important each one can be, no matter how insignificant may seem. Now race, faith, status, continent doesn't matter, we feel the situation close. We became close.
The fourteenth pearl - information is not knowledge. Contradictory messages flood us, and many people are confused and anxious because they do not know whom to trust. If you seek the opinion of three experts and it is different in order to decide who to believe, you need to be a bigger expert than all three. Then why are you asking them?! Paragraph 22. There is a solution, it cannot be realized with a magic wand, it will come slowly and gradually. It's called education - it helps you navigate. There is another solution. It's called self-knowledge - it helps you find what you really need. Both are the most meaningful investments we can make every day.
The fifteenth pearl - we have a chance to give. To support those in need. To calm the anxious. Send food to the poor. Let the neighbours know that we are there if they need us. Give our time to our loved ones, our children. Giving is making us realize that we are rich.
The sixteenth pearl - seeking help and expressing ourselves makes us stronger, not weaker. The cured are a large percentage because they have been helped. Our Bulgarian word is so eloquent pomosht (po –more, mosht- power) - help means more power. There is strength in unity.
I like this string of pearls in the "crown". Health is integrity, connectivity and good communication between systems. At the moment, we are the world, united, with firm and clear boundaries on the outside, but compassionate, interested and holding to each other from the inside. I believe the disease will heal us! I believe that today we can store and retrieve the pearls of meaning and wisdom from the ocean of our lives!
Irina Kiryakova
Irina is a qualified Registered Psychotherapist, based in Center, Sofia, Bulgaria.
With a commitment to mental health, Mrs Kiryakova provides services in Bulgarian and English, including Awareness, Coaching, Counselling (Crisis), Counselling (Family), Counselling (Marriage) and Psychotherapy.
Mrs Kiryakova has expertise in Addiction, Adjusting to Change/Life Transitions, Anxiety Disorders, Attachment Issues, Behavioural and Emotional Problems, Bereavement and Loss, Body Image, Burnout and Depression.
Click here to schedule a session with Mrs Kiryakova.
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
Find a Therapist
Find skilled psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors near you.
