COVID in our Village
We just got word that there are two cases within our immediate neighbourhood. This is something different from the past months when the virus seemed more "out there" but that we were quite free of it closer to home. Of course it was always a possibility that sooner or later it would enter our space. And now it has.
There are just so many possible ways one can contact the virus. Deliveries can bring infected packages. So even if one does not go to the grocery or drugstore, as long as there is contact with a person or thing from outside one's residence, this sneaky virus can find its way in.
No one can say they are fully protected or shielded from this possibility. In a sense, the whole world population is one. We are all vulnerable. We are one.
When we see the virus only as an enemy, we can get overwhelmed. Imagine this enemy... it is so sneaky. It can come from anywhere and everywhere.
Perhaps we really have to be still, and see from a novel perspective. The virus is called novel corona virus. So aptly we also need a novel perspective with which to look at it. As novel as seeing it as a "friend"? Frenemy or really a friend? That friend of a virus! Hello Virus, my friend! Can this even be? How might this be?
Well for one, it has already become our teacher. As cited by so many, this teacher "friend" has got us to appreciate home life, home members. How to live harmoniously in our homes, with our immediate family. Day in and day out. Learning give and take. Cooperation. Contribution. Sharing. Caring.
Then, it has also taught us to live more simply. So many clothes, shoes, bags unused and unnecessary during this period. And this has been okay. Less places to go to, and yet we are not severely wanting of social interaction or good enough entertainment. We CAN live with less. Spend less, and make the existing things last longer. And this has been okay.
Nature has been blooming before our eyes, and yes, we are able to notice. The variety of birds. The ease with which plants, tree branches and leaves, as well as vegetable patches can grow gives us a new appreciation of the natural. There is a freshness that is evident. Almost opposite of the dreariness of fighting the virus. The frenemy brings a friend. Or shall we say, this new friend has brought us other friends?
Online masses and prayer spaces. They have sprouted in many forms, online. Now we can attend masses conducted in different parts of the world. We become more aware that we are one whole praying community. Of different skin colours, cultures. Perhaps next I shall try attending religious services of OTHER RELIGIONS. That I may begin to appreciate the universality of our spiritual self.
And so on and so forth. Friend upon friend, this virus friend has brought for us.
Sickness and possibility of death are real. This friend carries this with him. How to accept these the way we have accepted the other friends above.. how not to discriminate but to accept all? Sickness. Death. Friends? Foe?
This I continue to struggle with. The fear of these... Is it possible to fear a friend? Or is it that if there is fear, then that means I have not yet considered them my friends? Do I want to? Do I need to?
Like it or not, they journey with us. COVID with his two friends, Sickness and Death. I need more time to be present to them... before I can decide how I want to be with them.
Sigh!
There are just so many possible ways one can contact the virus. Deliveries can bring infected packages. So even if one does not go to the grocery or drugstore, as long as there is contact with a person or thing from outside one's residence, this sneaky virus can find its way in.
No one can say they are fully protected or shielded from this possibility. In a sense, the whole world population is one. We are all vulnerable. We are one.
When we see the virus only as an enemy, we can get overwhelmed. Imagine this enemy... it is so sneaky. It can come from anywhere and everywhere.
Perhaps we really have to be still, and see from a novel perspective. The virus is called novel corona virus. So aptly we also need a novel perspective with which to look at it. As novel as seeing it as a "friend"? Frenemy or really a friend? That friend of a virus! Hello Virus, my friend! Can this even be? How might this be?
Well for one, it has already become our teacher. As cited by so many, this teacher "friend" has got us to appreciate home life, home members. How to live harmoniously in our homes, with our immediate family. Day in and day out. Learning give and take. Cooperation. Contribution. Sharing. Caring.
Then, it has also taught us to live more simply. So many clothes, shoes, bags unused and unnecessary during this period. And this has been okay. Less places to go to, and yet we are not severely wanting of social interaction or good enough entertainment. We CAN live with less. Spend less, and make the existing things last longer. And this has been okay.
Nature has been blooming before our eyes, and yes, we are able to notice. The variety of birds. The ease with which plants, tree branches and leaves, as well as vegetable patches can grow gives us a new appreciation of the natural. There is a freshness that is evident. Almost opposite of the dreariness of fighting the virus. The frenemy brings a friend. Or shall we say, this new friend has brought us other friends?
Online masses and prayer spaces. They have sprouted in many forms, online. Now we can attend masses conducted in different parts of the world. We become more aware that we are one whole praying community. Of different skin colours, cultures. Perhaps next I shall try attending religious services of OTHER RELIGIONS. That I may begin to appreciate the universality of our spiritual self.
And so on and so forth. Friend upon friend, this virus friend has brought for us.
Sickness and possibility of death are real. This friend carries this with him. How to accept these the way we have accepted the other friends above.. how not to discriminate but to accept all? Sickness. Death. Friends? Foe?
This I continue to struggle with. The fear of these... Is it possible to fear a friend? Or is it that if there is fear, then that means I have not yet considered them my friends? Do I want to? Do I need to?
Like it or not, they journey with us. COVID with his two friends, Sickness and Death. I need more time to be present to them... before I can decide how I want to be with them.
Sigh!
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