Into 2021, With 2020 Hindsight

The newsreader said that COVID restrictions had been eased.  We could relax and move about, even gather in groups.  But social distancing was still necessary.  The various levels of isolation, were harder for some than for others, and not just because of the level of restrictions mandated.

In our highly extraverted world, where constant frenetic activity, outputs, results, achievements and definite answers have been the generally accepted norm, many assumed that this was simply the way of the world.  COVID caused a pivot, or turning point.  Perhaps pondering and asking questions is more useful to us at this moment?

This week, I began some formation work with teachers by asking them what they learnt from COVID and 2020.  Some responded that employers discovered that they could trust their workers to work from home.  Some observed that they missed contact with those that they love.  Some said that living with uncertainty was a new experience and demanded a different mindset from the usual.  Perhaps what resonated most deeply was learning that we are vulnerable.

Gently holding this insight reveals that not only are we vulnerable, it is an illusion to ever think that we are not vulnerable.  Its easier not to think about it and just get on with life, work, family and “the whole catastrophe” (as Zorba the Greek would say).
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In this wonderful “wide, brown land down under” the heat and drought which led to 2019’s devastating and wide-spread bushfires, forced us to think about ourselves in our physical world – a relationship under significant stress. 

2020 forced us to think about how we move and connect in the world.  We found that we had to think about how we worked, how we keep connected and what really matters.

There seems to be a pattern here.  I wonder if 2019 & 2020 were preparation for what is coming next.?  Not necessarily for the specifics of what is coming, we just might be being prepared for more changes in how we relate and connect to each other, and how we relate, connect and move through our world. 

If so, what we have learnt over the last year or two could prove to be invaluable.
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What did COVID and 2020 teach you?  What did you learn?