For several reasons, I’m trying to stay in closer contact with friends via messaging and texting in this new reality. While the country is slow as a whole to grasp what is needed to flatten the curve, it is only a matter of time before we’re on a lockdown. Might as well start these patterns to stay in touch with people now. And in more normal times, I know that an important part of my mental and emotional health is quality human time. A normal week for me is full of planned walks and calls with friends to make sure I get that quality human time.
We live in an age where most people spend the vast majority of time staring at a screen. When they’re not working , they’re staring at their phone, tablet, or computer. There’s a massive disconnect. And it’s a disconnect from everything that’s actually real and important. It’s a disconnect from self. It’s a disconnect from other beings: humans and companion animals. It’s a disconnect from the natural world of which we are key parts. People have tried to become human doings instead of human beings. They are constantly doing and going. Being has become something foreign.
Now we are being suddenly tossed onto a new planet where we can’t go and do all the time. And the immediate thought is, “What do I do?” This is a time to look for the constants. This is a time to look for the connections. This is a time to explore yourself and your world in new ways.
What are the constants? First the natural world, of which we are a part, is the most powerful constant. It’s right outside your window. Even if you can’t go outside much or far, or are in an urban area, you have access. Look at the sky: clouds, birds, insects, colors, shapes, movement. Look at the trees and plants and landforms. Look at the animals: insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals. Look for the elements: earth, fire, water, wind, wood, stone, metal, ether, light, star, storm. Look to the humans who are constants and stay in contact with them by phone, video chat, messaging. Look to the companion animals who are always there supporting us. Second, look within yourself for the constants. This may not be as familiar a landscape for you. Take your time with this exploration. What do you know about yourself? Your likes and dislikes, your skills, gifts. What do you know about different aspects of yourself like your physical, emotional, mental, energy bodies? What do you know about your heart space? You will find constants within yourself as you explore.
Where are the connections? These may be with other humans, but they may be with companion animals, plants, characters in books. These may be the connections that you see and feel at more of a distance like the connections between trees in a wood, or the connections between grackles as their flock flies into the tree in your yard. Everything in our world is interconnected. Humans are not special in having and feeling connections. Look around you and explore.
Knowing self is one of the main reasons we are here. You can’t know other until you truly know self. Take this time in this different reality to do some inner spelunking. If you’re at home with your family, do it together. This is how massive change is created: person by person. You have power, use it wisely and with love.
~Namaste