We are experiencing uncertain times. Uncertainty can feel uncomfortable to the human part of us. Most people prefer more predictability than what we are currently experiencing as we navigate through COVID-19. A long-time friend asked me, "What does it all mean?” He wanted to know, from a spiritual perspective, how to make sense of the global pandemic. I don’t know if our mortal minds can satisfactorily answer his question. Perhaps there is a better question: "How can we live our lives so that the pandemic can serve as a vehicle that propels our individual and collective growth?"
If we accept the premise that we live in a friendly universe, and everything that happens can support our personal and spiritual growth, then this pandemic can serve as an evolutionary trigger for that growth. That trigger is pushing us to re-evaluate what we deem to be important in life, and to help us remember that we are one in Spirit and part of an interconnected global family. For too long, we’ve created a sense of separation between religions, races, nationalities, countries, ages, political affiliations, and sexual orientation to name a few. However, this global challenge reminds us that we live in an interdependent world. We’re all in this together. As a result, we have to take care of each other, no matter where we are on the planet.
In addition, if anyone is taken care of and lifted up, then we are all lifted up. Conversely, if any one or any group is not taken care of, we're all in jeopardy. The Coronavirus does not discriminate who potentially can be affected - from an imprisoned inmate to an advisor to the President of the United States. Similarly, this common global experience gives us the opportunity to re-evaluate who and what we value and to recognize that everyone is important.
The pandemic has caused us to take notice of who the real “essential workers” are. They are people that many of us have taken for granted or overlooked. Most of us sensed that doctors, nurses and medical personnel are important. But now we realize that the same goes for grocery clerks, truck drivers, and gas station attendants. And then there are the teachers. Society often gives teachers lip service to their value. But parents have realized, now more than ever, how important teachers are. Several parents have taken over the role of being the primary teachers to their children. But as one parent noted, “Teaching ain’t no joke. They deserve greater respect and far more compensation than they are receiving. Pay them!”
If we look hard enough, we can discover many ways the current crisis can help us grow and express more gratitude for what we have taken for granted. We have to stop, reflect, and remember there is something bigger than ourselves going on here. We need time to think about what we have been doing and where we have been putting our attention. If we are still, listen, and see with new eyes, we will uncover many opportunities to anchor and appreciate more of the good that has always been around us. This includes our fellow global citizens who are miles apart from us. This world-wide crisis can help all of us realize we are are one in the Spirit. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, we chose to be on earth at this particular time to express more of who and what we are as children of God.
Peace and Blessings,
James