Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

19 has created many inconveniences in my life. I had been working on an important project for months that is now permanently canceled. My husband is currently living in a different state. I fly to see him monthly. Plans to see him have been canceled indefinitely, perhaps the most difficult of all inconveniences.</p><p id="de83">Many people have offered me comfort related to my inconveniences. I am grateful that people notice and care about my life. However, at the end of the day, these are only inconveniences. They are not life-threatening in any way. My career is not affected and neither are my finances, unlike many others.</p><p id="d797" type="7">This is not a time to struggle. Instead, I recognize the opportunity to reach past my own desires.</p><p id="5528">I get to isolate myself in a comfortable home with modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi and a fridge full of food. I order many of my needs online. I drive where I want to get to when I do go out, and my doctor’s office is walking distance from me.</p><h1 id="8a60">Having Gratitude</h1><p id="a4c1">I am grateful more than ever that my mind can be free, and <a href="https://readmedium.com/my-social-justice-proverb-afabb969ba65">my heart can be open.</a> I am not the underdog, and this is not my fight. I am quite familiar with struggle and have overcome many of them in my life. This is not a time to struggle. Instead, I recognize the opportunity to reach past my own desires. While adhering to minimizing social contact, I am also committed to expanding humanity’s solemnity.</p><h2 id="0ca8">Judgment free zone</h2><p id="fc4f">Instead of criticizing an individual’s response to the virus, I choose to wish everyone well no matter how serious they do or don’t take the warnings. There is no perfect response. I imagine that people respond according to how they see themselves in the world.</p><p id="45bc">Some people feel more vulnerable in the world than others. Economics and family responsibility, contribute as much to vulnerability as health conditions. Not everyone has access to transportation. Some people who have transportation still may not be able to leave the house at will. Dependent children or relatives may prevent them from doing so.</p><p id="3149" type="7">Economics and family responsibility, contribute as much to vulnerability as health conditions.</p><p id="2138">Consequently, uncertainty may create more panic for the vulnerable. I can imagine that the possibility of being stuck without toilet paper is more critical if you live with preschoolers. Some people may be purchasing for organizations, neighbors, or soccer moms who don’t have time to go to the store during the week.</p><p id="88dd">I will not join the naysayers and critics that deem other’s response inappropriate. We can’t assume that every young person who travels for spring break is going somewhere to party. Even people who choose leisure travel despite warning have the right to do so. The government has restricted travel and left room for individuals to have some autonomy. Our values do not supersede the government. People get to choose their response.</p><h1 id="8864">Altogether Now</h1><p id="31e3">As human beings, we like to be right. So, we should avoid making ominous predictions during this time of uncertainty. Assume that people’s responses make sense based on their own experience in the world, not based on mal-intent. If we hold space for one another instead of judgment, humanity will render us the most promising outcome.</p><p id="

Options

ac42" type="7">As human beings, we like to be right. So, we should avoid making ominous predictions during this time of uncertainty.</p><p id="4f73">All humans are connected, no matter how much we judge ourselves to be better than the next person. The force of our positive energy will make us stronger. Judgment and self-righteousness will make us weaker. When I see someone taking a different approach to the pandemic virus, I will allow myself to observe without judgment.</p><h2 id="c52a">Everyone has a role to play</h2><p id="e35e">I appreciate the social media moguls who disseminate accurate information since many people do not own televisions. Many people have limited access to news and, for better or worse, rely on social media.</p><p id="3ef5">People who prefer to maintain social engagement will save a few businesses. Some businesses may not recover from two or more weeks of social isolation. My favorite yoga studio is donation-based and pay-as-you-go. Classes were full until it temporarily closed for prevention on March 15. I would hate to see that space not recover.</p><p id="2102">No matter how we respond, we can all hold space for the healing of the world. We can all embrace our human connectedness. Just because we can’t touch each other’s hands doesn’t mean we can’t touch each other’s hearts.</p><h2 id="dc3e">Remain lighthearted and soft</h2><p id="e648">Recently I spent a morning with a close friend. We don’t get to spend much time together because we are both super busy. Social distancing allows us more time to spend with one another. After sharing a yoga class, we went on a hunt to buy her toilet paper. In cheerful spirits, we stopped at every probable store in our vicinity.</p><p id="309f">We found shelves empty of toilet paper, but we laughingly came out of each store with a few more products. At the end of our shopping spree, I offered her the extra 4-pack I still had in my trunk. An hour yoga class turned into a 4-hour girlfriend outing that we will always cherish.</p><h1 id="87d6">Beauty Unfolds</h1><p id="983a">This crisis is still unfolding, and I have no idea how it will end. But, <b><i>I want it to bring out the best in me.</i></b> I will increase gratitude and set aside my judgment. I will exercise patience and look for places where I can be a soft landing for others. For, we are all connected.</p><p id="5ce9">The uncertainty with which we are living for the next couple of months should be approached with patience. We don’t even know all of the questions we should ask, much less all the answers.</p><p id="4a40">People around the world came into the year 2020 with so much hope. We metaphorically expected it to bring us a clear vision. Maybe it is doing just that, allowing us to see who we really are as a global race of people. May we see our beauty unfold along with the beast of COVID-19.</p><p id="4a08"><b>References:</b></p><p id="3f9f">Bakari, R. (2020): My Social Justice Proverb. <i>Medium</i>. <a href="https://readmedium.com/my-social-justice-proverb-afabb969ba65">https://readmedium.com/my-social-justice-proverb-afabb969ba65</a>.</p><p id="5254">Novaga, M. (2020): Italy Confirms Almost 200 Deaths in 24 Hours. <i>NBC News.</i> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/coronavirus-updates-live-u-s-cases-top-1-000-spread-n1155241/ncrd1155806#liveBlogHeader">https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/coronavirus-updates-live-u-s-cases-top-1-000-spread-n1155241/ncrd1155806#liveBlogHeader</a>.</p></article></body>

Finding My Happy Place in a Time of Uncertainty

Coronavirus can reintroduce us to the best of humanity

No matter how you personally respond to COVID-19, the reality of our connectedness as human beings is staring us in the face. Not worrying about the virus does not protect us from it. It’s not a mental disease. Yet, it does require an appropriate psychological response.

I’m usually the last person to get hyped up about the news that sends the public into a frenzy. The week that Italy confirmed nearly 200 died within days, my mental defenses shifted, and I started to pay closer attention. All sorts of concerns ran through my mind about their demographics and diagnosis.

Then came the onslaught of closings and cancellations around the United States as well. We were clearly beyond hygienic measures of prevention. Something serious is happening that I could no longer ignore.

The Inconvenient Truth

I’m a 57-year-old woman with asthma living at high altitude. I have struggled with my asthma since I moved to Colorado three years ago. Respiratory symptoms restricted my athletic activities for six months last year. A change to a stronger prescription brought no relief. Fortunately, I discovered hot yoga and learned how to breathe again.

No matter how much I can bench press, I am in a high-risk category. So far, so good. I have barely had a cold this winter. I am taking precautions to remain healthy. I have canceled travel plans and attendance at large social events. I stocked my fridge with fruit and frozen vegetables to make plenty of soup to build my immune system.

Yes, I have plenty of toilet paper. My obsession with toilet paper started long ago. I grew up in a house with 9 people and four bathrooms. Toilet paper was always on the shopping list and my mother always bought in bulk. So, I have her to thank for my preparedness there. I still grabbed a 4-pack while I was picking up groceries.

The mind is the matter

Once I got prepared physically, I realized I had to work on my mental state. Living with uncertainty can weigh heavy on the mind. I made every effort to minimize my uncertainty.

For example, in early spring, I typically begin my outdoor running season and end up with the sniffles. I currently don’t want to have symptoms that make me worry about something more serious. So, I controlled that uncertainty by holding off on running for now. Instead, I will increase my yoga sessions to bring more stress relief to my mind.

I stopped watching the news years ago because I did not want to live in fear. Unfortunately, the news is ubiquitous now. You don’t have to turn it on, and you can’t turn it off. However, I can control my social media time. I only review posts that suggest positive happenings. I don’t need further reminders to wash my hands, avoid crowds, or to take this virus seriously.

Living with gratitude

I am also embracing a consciousness of gratitude. The response to COVID-19 has created many inconveniences in my life. I had been working on an important project for months that is now permanently canceled. My husband is currently living in a different state. I fly to see him monthly. Plans to see him have been canceled indefinitely, perhaps the most difficult of all inconveniences.

Many people have offered me comfort related to my inconveniences. I am grateful that people notice and care about my life. However, at the end of the day, these are only inconveniences. They are not life-threatening in any way. My career is not affected and neither are my finances, unlike many others.

This is not a time to struggle. Instead, I recognize the opportunity to reach past my own desires.

I get to isolate myself in a comfortable home with modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi and a fridge full of food. I order many of my needs online. I drive where I want to get to when I do go out, and my doctor’s office is walking distance from me.

Having Gratitude

I am grateful more than ever that my mind can be free, and my heart can be open. I am not the underdog, and this is not my fight. I am quite familiar with struggle and have overcome many of them in my life. This is not a time to struggle. Instead, I recognize the opportunity to reach past my own desires. While adhering to minimizing social contact, I am also committed to expanding humanity’s solemnity.

Judgment free zone

Instead of criticizing an individual’s response to the virus, I choose to wish everyone well no matter how serious they do or don’t take the warnings. There is no perfect response. I imagine that people respond according to how they see themselves in the world.

Some people feel more vulnerable in the world than others. Economics and family responsibility, contribute as much to vulnerability as health conditions. Not everyone has access to transportation. Some people who have transportation still may not be able to leave the house at will. Dependent children or relatives may prevent them from doing so.

Economics and family responsibility, contribute as much to vulnerability as health conditions.

Consequently, uncertainty may create more panic for the vulnerable. I can imagine that the possibility of being stuck without toilet paper is more critical if you live with preschoolers. Some people may be purchasing for organizations, neighbors, or soccer moms who don’t have time to go to the store during the week.

I will not join the naysayers and critics that deem other’s response inappropriate. We can’t assume that every young person who travels for spring break is going somewhere to party. Even people who choose leisure travel despite warning have the right to do so. The government has restricted travel and left room for individuals to have some autonomy. Our values do not supersede the government. People get to choose their response.

Altogether Now

As human beings, we like to be right. So, we should avoid making ominous predictions during this time of uncertainty. Assume that people’s responses make sense based on their own experience in the world, not based on mal-intent. If we hold space for one another instead of judgment, humanity will render us the most promising outcome.

As human beings, we like to be right. So, we should avoid making ominous predictions during this time of uncertainty.

All humans are connected, no matter how much we judge ourselves to be better than the next person. The force of our positive energy will make us stronger. Judgment and self-righteousness will make us weaker. When I see someone taking a different approach to the pandemic virus, I will allow myself to observe without judgment.

Everyone has a role to play

I appreciate the social media moguls who disseminate accurate information since many people do not own televisions. Many people have limited access to news and, for better or worse, rely on social media.

People who prefer to maintain social engagement will save a few businesses. Some businesses may not recover from two or more weeks of social isolation. My favorite yoga studio is donation-based and pay-as-you-go. Classes were full until it temporarily closed for prevention on March 15. I would hate to see that space not recover.

No matter how we respond, we can all hold space for the healing of the world. We can all embrace our human connectedness. Just because we can’t touch each other’s hands doesn’t mean we can’t touch each other’s hearts.

Remain lighthearted and soft

Recently I spent a morning with a close friend. We don’t get to spend much time together because we are both super busy. Social distancing allows us more time to spend with one another. After sharing a yoga class, we went on a hunt to buy her toilet paper. In cheerful spirits, we stopped at every probable store in our vicinity.

We found shelves empty of toilet paper, but we laughingly came out of each store with a few more products. At the end of our shopping spree, I offered her the extra 4-pack I still had in my trunk. An hour yoga class turned into a 4-hour girlfriend outing that we will always cherish.

Beauty Unfolds

This crisis is still unfolding, and I have no idea how it will end. But, I want it to bring out the best in me. I will increase gratitude and set aside my judgment. I will exercise patience and look for places where I can be a soft landing for others. For, we are all connected.

The uncertainty with which we are living for the next couple of months should be approached with patience. We don’t even know all of the questions we should ask, much less all the answers.

People around the world came into the year 2020 with so much hope. We metaphorically expected it to bring us a clear vision. Maybe it is doing just that, allowing us to see who we really are as a global race of people. May we see our beauty unfold along with the beast of COVID-19.

References:

Bakari, R. (2020): My Social Justice Proverb. Medium. https://readmedium.com/my-social-justice-proverb-afabb969ba65.

Novaga, M. (2020): Italy Confirms Almost 200 Deaths in 24 Hours. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/live-blog/coronavirus-updates-live-u-s-cases-top-1-000-spread-n1155241/ncrd1155806#liveBlogHeader.