We are in a radically hyper-conscious space right now. But, when things begin to ”normalize” will we just slip back into our engrained habits and behaviors?
The current onslaught of conversations and passages about reflection, gratitude, appreciation, mindfulness, etc. got me thinking. While I whole-heartedly believe that people mean what they say when they say it, experience shows that the gravity of our expression lessens as urgency decreases.
I am finding this topic met with the assurance that this experience, based on the magnitude of the situation, is the one that will really make a difference; that this time, the outcome promises that people will behave differently, permanently. During this time of mass realization of our physical vulnerability to unforeseen occurrences, and as we experience a new level of understanding of how much our lives are controlled by outside forces, we assume that we will remain forever transformed and humbled. No longer will we take the pleasures and the people in our lives for granted. No longer will be consumed by the trivial and the banal. We will live – with grace and gratitude – in the moment.
If we are truly committed to changing our perspective and to being present once this heightened state subsides, it is essential to put a plan in place as we prepare to move to the next phase. A “commitment plan” that will help us stay connected with the feelings we are currently experiencing; a “snap on the wrist,” if you will. It is easy to make promises to ourselves; the challenge lies in keeping these promises — once the events that perpetuated them are in the rear view mirror.
Nothing changes magically. The magic is us as a collective, owning that before we know it, our “new normal” will be “the normal” and the emotions that we are feeling now will take a lesser priority than what we will deem “important” down the road.
I have a strong belief in people and the greater good, but I do not believe that things will be different just because we say so, regardless of the enormity of the moment. Regardless of one’s thoughts and fears, we are confronted with a situation that can only be managed by teaching and learning, rather than judging.
How can we recall our current enlightenment? As time marches on, what can we do individually and collectively to remember these feelings? How can we remain conscious of being conscious? How can we respond to this experience in a way that is proactive, positive and advances our humanity?
What are your quarantine resolutions? More importantly, what steps will you take to ensure you stick to them? What is your plan of attack?