These are unprecedented times, at least in my lifetime, and with uncertainty around how long the health threat will continue, there is a lot of fear and anxiety around the globe. However, the outpouring of love, support and kindness that I have seen across the community gives me hope that there is a silver lining to this collective crisis. Where I once saw mostly division, people are coming together to help those who are impacted the most by the coronavirus. Today, I received a newsletter from one of my favorite teachers, Tias Little, in which he talked about two opportunities in this time - the power of the pause and not knowing. To share some of his words about the Power of the Pause: "While our lives barrel lickety-split down the track, we are now suddenly encouraged, in fact mandated, to take our foot off of the collective accelerator...and in the midst of the break we are led to wonder, will we ever experience such space and quietude again in this lifetime? Perhaps this momentous brake/break will enable a Big Shift and clarify our intention to take care. In the pause we exhale, we let go of urgency, rush, and demand." Take this time at home to reflect on all the good things that you have in your life, and accept this as an opportunity to just be. In this period of not knowing how long the coronavirus will continue to alter our way of life or what will come next, "we come to a sincere appreciation for the very fabric of social networks that sustain us -- schools, supply chains, farmers, health care providers, sports, the press and… each other." This is a time of great opportunity, when we are witness to impermanence, and the preciousness and fragility of life.
I snapped the above photo during a hike last year in an area that had been burned in a forest fire. The growth of the flowers is a great reminder that beauty can spring forth after tragedy. My hope is that when we come out on the other side once COVID-19 is under control, that we will have taken this time to pause and reflect on what's important, and the world will be a kinder place.
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