“It’s about love, the reason for what we do. Because with love, comes peace.” - R. Rachel Gauna
All of my life I have been looking for something to explain why I am here, living this life, at this time, in this place. What is the point of it, I often wonder; and what is my purpose? As I ponder these questions, I realize I am not alone in asking them. In fact, it’s not even a new question— sages from the past have been asking these same questions since the slice of time of Aristotle and Plato; perhaps even before.
Over the last seven and a half months, it is as if we have been asked to retreat into our personal confines in this snow-globe of life so that we do not tumble loosely as our picture-perfect life is shaken up. Instead, we are left to watch life happen from inside, behind the picture window of our homes, or maybe even from the tiny window screens of our smart technologies. And we are all left asking, “What is this life?”
As we find ourselves deep into year one of a new decade, I can remember five years ago wondering what life would be like in 2020, and I remember setting my five year goals to take fruition this year. Not only did I set my personal aspirations, but as a writer, I wanted to release my second novel, as well as launch my t-shirt company, corner of peace+love. Some of my goals have been placed on pause, others are a work in progress, while some are moving in slow-motion—which is okay, because as I look out at life in the snow-globe, I find myself reassessing it all: my desires; my purpose; the woman I am becoming. And I am pretty sure I am not alone in this assessment.
On the one hand, I am grateful for this time to reflect, mostly because I have had a chance to consider my approach to life, love, and work. As well, I have had a chance to reconsider just what kind of behavior I am willing to accept. I have decided, I can no longer accept hateful rhetoric, especially when the words said in jest make another feel ridiculed, or made to feel like they don’t have the same human rights or deserve the same level of respect as everyone else, or simply that they don’t belong. I no longer accept a person’s justification to kill another human being. Nor am I keen on teaching children to learn how to accommodate meanness. I am no longer willing to accept arrogance, or a lack of concern for others who are suffering, albeit financially, emotionally, or mentally.
If we start to look back at the biggest disruption of this generation, we should look at the first one that occurred in 2008, when millions of people lost their jobs, and were forced to rethink their career because their previous role was no longer considered relevant in an industry that no longer existed, like manufacturing. Some people for the first time faced decisions they never thought they would need to consider, like, should I apply for governmental support.
This pandemic is our generation’s second disruption. Again, millions are experiencing a loss of income by being laid-off as businesses close temporarily, or losing their jobs entirely as other businesses shut down completely. As the nation reopens, it is not the same as it was, and may never be again. We are left with a lingering question mark… Do I really want to go back to that work, or that way of life? Recently, I read an article about how the stress of the pandemic is wreaking havoc on people’s well-being, where some people are losing their hair; their teeth are falling out; or they are not sleeping, and when they do sleep, they are experiencing really weird dreams. This is not an easy time for any of us, myself included. I miss the adventures of life, and simple interactions with people.
So, back to the question, what is this life?
Well, first of all, this life belongs to you and to me, which gives us the responsibility, and the power, to live it in the best way possible. It makes sense that we are all assessing what is important and re-prioritizing accordingly. Yes, we should stay in, or if we need to go out, mask up. Second, we should try to accept what we are dealing with, and rethink how we will progress despite what is taking place. If you recall from our childhood education, there is a quote by that of Charles Darwin, a naturalist, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change.”
t is evident, we are experiencing a change; not only in this pause, but in our hearts, our minds, and in the way we are behaving towards one another. And I have to ask, what inspires you?
In a few weeks, the nation will experience the feels of winter, and as we find a way to keep ourselves tucked safely in our warm homes, we have a chance to consider what our life is going to be like after this is all over. More importantly, we have time to create a plan to step into a life that is right, maybe even better than before for each of us; you, me. And that inspires hope!
While I do not have an answer for why we were born, I can say that while we are alive, we should find a way to live. Sometimes living is not going out into the world and having snapshots of yourself experiencing some crazy feat; sometimes living is as simple as waking up in the morning and experiencing the day in front of you. Sometimes, it’s calling out to God, to say something like, “Hey, remember me? Help me understand what’s next in my life.” And then, be still.
Remember, this is a trying time for everyone. Don’t judge, rather, show compassion. Be patient. Choose to love, not only your family and friends, but, yourself too. Take the rest of this year to understand what this life may mean for YOU—discover what inspires you. Take time to breathe and realize that the floating fluffies of the snow globe we are living in will eventually settle. We will be able to step out refreshed and new.
For now, embrace the moment, and as you adapt to this change, take the time to discover what inspires you most.