When the situation changes — and especially when that change has a semi-permanent character — we change as well. And the change that we are going through is more than just adapting to the changing circumstances, it is a change that often involves the essence of our Selves.
But now we find ourselves in a situation where we need to change. Our — personal — survival may depend on it! So suddenly we tale a step back. Literally, as is required by the ‘social distancing’ advisories. Yet in doing so, we also take a step back from our day-to-day lives. Suddenly we find ourselves working from home — or not at all, as our jobs may require to close a contact to be “safe” for us.
And as we see the changes unfold, it gives us pause to see ourselves.
To truly observe how we are handling the new situation. To acknowledge the things we find difficult, but also to recognize the things that we like. About ourselves as well as about the new situation. And yes, there are bound to be things that are better — even though the situation that brought that about is, depending on how closely you are confronted with its consequences, pretty horrible.
As the days add up to weeks, our focus tends to shift from the immediate changes around us to the changes within ourselves. Bit by bit we find ourselves confronted with the essence of ourselves, with our beliefs, our priorities, and not in the least our personal physical, mental and emotional health. While it is not an easy process, it does present us with a lot of clarity about the things that are truly important to us and the things we were caught up in “because it is part of life”…
And bit by bit, our true identity starts to show itself.
With ever day we have the opportunity to become the person we are meant to be. We may find ourselves more helpful to our neighbors. We may find that we take the time to call friends and family and take the time to listen to their experiences. We may even discover within ourselves what our greatest strengths turn out to be. And once we have recognized those, we can take steps to put our personal strengths — that what we have to offer to the world — to good use.
In doing so, we create a newness within ourselves that we are likely to hold on to when the situation around us — eventually — will lose its urgency. A new understanding of our identity, a new comprehension of the person we are meant to be. And an enhanced awareness of how valuable life is. How worthy we are.
This personal newness then, will create a newness in our direct environments, our neighborhoods, yes, even our societies…
It takes a challenging situation on a global scale to bring us to a point where we start creating newness in our lives. A situation that — no matter how great its consequences to the world as we knew it — gives us an opportunity to make it a turning point. To re-create ourselves and the world around us anew.
Let’s take that opportunity!
