What a crazy, crazy season we are in. I don’t think any of us are fully feeling it really. But we aren’t speculating anymore, we’re doing, isolating, restricting the probability of the virus spreading. And we’re unified mostly, that’s something. What are you experiencing in these first few days? One thing I’ve noticed, is that I’m having important conversations – less fluff, more substance. Serious circumstances can do that. The other thing I noticed when I was out briefly yesterday was that eye contact was reduced. Unconsciously and consciously we are distancing ourselves which is what we are supposed to do of course, but it saddened me that we can’t smile at each other. We’re all in this together after all. Can we be together even though we’re trying to not be together? What do we do in the increased space between each other? That’s what I’ve been thinking about in the last couple of days and these are my suggestions:

Suggestions

Recognize the gifts
in this legislated slowdown:
solitude, silence, holy fast.

Resist filling this gifted space
with fear, hoarding, rebellion
ranting, worry, despair.
Resolve your wrongs – apologize, repent.
Recover the art of good conversation.
Explore your “I’ll get to that later-s”
like: clean the garage, clear the clutter,
organize your photos, fix whatever it is, yes! DIY
You can still be kind.
When you meet someone, smile
with your eyes, no wait, with your whole face.
We’re all in this together.
Don’t be afraid to be with yourself.
Learn something new.
Play with your children, and like children,
Husha, husha, we all fall down.
Hug the person who is always close anyway.

Try prayer.
Permeate the pandemic
with it, shatter its grip
on your heart, your mind
on everything, on everyone.

© 2020 Laurel Archer