I, along with countless other Australians are again in lockdown and under heavy restrictions. Schools have had to scramble to deliver online learning, people have been told to down tools and the only open businesses are those of an essential nature.
The fear campaign has gone into overdrive and people are truly scared; scared of not having enough income to feed their family, scared of the virus, scared of going out in public, scared they will be fined for not wearing a mask, scared their children will fall into depression, scared they will be forced to have a vaccine they don’t want to have, scared of their neighbour, scared of no longer having freedom of movement, scared to speak their truth, scared they will crack under the pressure of their job, scared their business will go bust. It would take two pages of writing to cover all of the concerns I have heard.
We are seeing and hearing quite frequently the need to look after yourself and stay safe. The intonation here is, obey the rules, get tested regularly and get vaccinated. Where is the information about how to stay healthy both physically and mentally? It is so sadly scarce!
In my business I have the opportunity to connect with hundreds of people from many and varied backgrounds and after the overwhelming sense of fear the one thing that is so clear is that there is no safe space for the non subscribers to speak. Those that subscribe to the current narrative are free to talk openly about their concerns but for those that do not, they talk in whispers and have the added fear of being harassed and “hated on”.
Under this kind of can we say fascist rule, it is easy to forget how important community is because protecting oneself becomes all too consuming. May I humbly implore you to stay connected to community; call your friends and extended family, have virtual gatherings or if you are in a place where you can meet outdoors then meet outdoors every day. If you have friends that live alone organise compassionate basket drops, phone calls, online gatherings. If you know people that are considered essential workers check in with them, I have borne witness to many working under extremely stressful conditions. If you are one of the many, and yes we are many, that do not subscribe to the narrative, then seek out your fellow compatriots and debrief.
Above all look for the joy and the opportunity to help someone even if the only thing you have to offer is a smile. Get your feet out into the grass, perhaps wait until the frost goes or perhaps not because popping your bare toes in the frost will trigger a good dose of thermogenesis. Hug a tree…….. I know it sounds very seventies but seriously don’t knock it until you try it! Notice that every morning the sun rises and you have the incredible opportunity to “do life” better or differently than yesterday. If you are struggling reach out, you are not alone!
The government may currently be dictating when and how we work, when and how we shop, when and how we socialise and how we manage our health but they have no control over how we “show up” , how we see other people and how we respond to others. Every human being on this planet is just that, a human being first and foremost with hopes, dreams and fears. If we can all remember that of each other then when will be inviting more kind, caring and considerate behaviour. We will prevail not because of the rules and vaccinations but because we have and always will have control over how we see others and how we respond.
My Journey so far ....... 