Cosmic Interconnections

"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men." - Henry Melvill

Our lives have become surreal. On the road from Arizona to Winnipeg, Manitoba for more than 30 hours over three days from March 16 to 18, 2020, we heard the world coming apart at the seams. Donald Trump had just declared a national disaster and Justin Trudeau had told Canadians to return home because of the Covid 19 pandemic. We are living though unprecedented times.

As one travels, one has time to reflect, to be silent, to meditate and to listen to the radio as the miles click by, almost endlessly. In just a few short days, North America and the world have experienced monumental changes. We listened to doctors, medical experts, health care professionals, nurses, scientists, researchers and even to politicians. We heard of people’s selfishness, but we also heard of people’s love. As we traveled, we listened to the concern, the chaos, the love and the panic.

We heard of line-ups at gun stores, people queuing up to buy assault rifles and ammunition to protect themselves because of their fear of uncontrolled looting.

We heard of greed, stockpiling, hoarding, price gouging and panic buying.

We heard of school, university and restaurant closures.

We heard of parents spending time with their children who are no longer in school. Rather than instilling fear in their children, some parents are helping them to reach out to isolated seniors in nursing homes and extended care facilities. The children and the parents, together, are making handmade, uplifting cards with cheerful greetings to be sent to the seniors so that they know they are loved even though they are isolated.

We heard from psychiatrists and counselors urging us to reach out to whomever might be especially lonely during social distancing and quarantines.

We heard of the spirit of the Italian people, waving flags and singing to one another through open windows, cheering one another in their time of national grief. March 20, 2020, as I complete this blog, I read that just today 627 people died in Italy of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Unemployment will rise; people will get sick. Some will die.

How am I reacting? As individuals, our reactions in times of stress and crisis will be as varied as our personalities. I have to make choices. Do I want to buy guns and ammunition because of my fear, or do I want to buy food for the food bank because of concern and love for those less fortunate? Do I want to be angry and blame people for my isolation? Or do I want to reach out to those who have less than I have?

During our isolation, social distancing and quarantines, we will be stressed. Most of us, without even realizing it, will get testy. If I am testy, I am sorry! If you are testy, I forgive you, and love you! If you are in my immediate family circle, I give you physical hugs. If I must maintain social distancing, I give you virtual, long distance hugs. Each of you is special to me. We all have cosmic connections. We might not like it, but we are in this together.

The whole world needs a big hug. Am I ready to give it?

Blessings of peace, love and good health,

Gerald