Each day it is hard to comprehend the true scale of Covid 19 pandemic so contagious every human on the planet is at risk of spreading this virus & causing great loss of life. For now to protect many we must forgo our everyday ways of living life – our livelihoods, relationships, work, education, travel plans, everything is changed and challenged. The urgency and message across the globe to ‘StayHome’ more paramount than any ‘wish’ we might have to continue on regardless. This monumental directive across the world giving rise to our many opinions, ideas, ideals, wants, needs, fears, criticisms and questioning. We want everything to return to normal and some will try to continue on as usual…. yet we are far from normal as we look around the world – New Yorkers saying we were too complacent, now the horror is beyond that experienced from 9/11 with so many critically ill and dying from the virus spread, including treating medical professionals. In Ecuador sick ones are taken from hospital to hospital with no room to treat, dying at home, their bodies placed on the street as morgues overwhelmed. Heartbreaking and unimaginable and yet we must face reality – as we will make the difference by our own responding.
‘StayHome’ has called me to reflect on ‘what and where truly is Home’. Each day news from across the world revealing the vastness of what constitutes home, from the luxurious to the bereft. Spacious homes on tree lined streets, multi-story apartments, slums and refugee camps, and those living on the streets.
As a youngster I moved many times and felt the great insecurity and foreignness of many different places, people, rules and ways. I often felt the foreignness within me, that had me continually adapting to those around and within my surrounds. As an adult creating home was high priority giving me security and a haven for self and family.
Today in the World, the directive to ‘StayHome’ dramatically impacting on all our lives. We are having to adjust to a different life where livelihoods are under threat, families are separated, plans and freedoms are gone. Staying home can be sanctuary – creative, thriving, secure and safe. Staying home can also be – empty, a prison, and for some dangerous.
These times of surrender to the most difficult of circumstances that come to our lives will invite us to live more deeply from our hearts. A place where we are more able to give of ourselves and to others the real gifts of compassion, tolerance, patience, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, care.
We are not all the same in our ways, our homes, our lives, our beliefs …… We are all humans together. It is our collective Inner Substance that will make All the difference in these most extraordinary, extenuating, challenging, uncertain times. What Truly counts is how we treat Ourselves and each Other.
Sharon, March 2020