I cannot believe that it has been four months since the last time I wrote, even though it was an intention to write here as often as I can now. Oh yes, of course we are still in a Pandemic -- and now it is winter, with second, and in some places, third, waves.
It seemed almost spooky, how my last post was on hypocrisy of human behaviour during a pandemic (mostly driven by Fear of the Unknown Reflex) -- in the height of summer, in August, I did watch somewhat disbelievingly, on how nonchalant the locals behave, when there are direct evidence of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occuring here. Not just locals, but of many North Americans in general.
What went wrong? In part, due to the Superspreader of Misinformation, who has just recently been voted out of the White House. When the people are repeatedly exposed to the degree of misinformation, as how we see since 2016, and especially in the early stages of the pandemic in March and April, was it really a wonder how widespread the virus is within the American community... and now within Canada as well.
I have never seen the innocent (yet life saving) behavioural changes showing common decency of "watching out for other people" (like Mask Wearing, Physical Distancing, diligent handwashing -- Hmmm.... sounds like a Raccoon, now, doesn't it?) became so politicised. Nor have I seen the degree of Self-Centred foolhardiness displayed amongst the "younger generation" in North America. These were supposed to be the "Woke" generation -- yet I see them Sleepwalk themselves into directly contributing into a Global Disaster; and I Quote, verbatim, a throwaway statement from such Youth "Most of the Deaths are only in Carehomes. We won't die". These are University Educated Creme de la Creme of Quebec who utterred those words. It shocked me to the core. The utter lack of Social Responsibility.
Perhaps another contributor is the lack of personal experience on their part, of what it is like to live through a major disaster/war/pandemic within the living memory of their community members. I mean.... the World Wars did not reach here - with exception of Pearl Harbour, and the demographic who served in the Wars. They have never seen a "battle" so to speak on their homeground - and what it took to pull out of a Disaster scenario. A Society is fragile if the grassroots are not capable of empathisizing with the weakest and frailest within their community. The first true proof of Civilisation in early humans is evidence of a healed thigh-bone - as no human can survive a broken femur unless they are taken care of, protected and supported, by people around them.
So we witnessed the catastrophe of Youth Spread Pandemic, especially when the initial advisory was phrased in a manner that (overly) minimises the potential danger; "Most people will have it mildly. Except the Elderly and those with Underlying conditions". Perhaps if the initial message was phrased differently, with intentions to "remind how many "innocent bystanders" can die from exposure to a "carrier", so let's look out for each other", the results would have been different.
Perhaps SARS-CoV-2 is like the Descolada virus - it forces Humanity to finally grow up and face up to our own foibles... and before that happens, it will continue to smoulder and ember, especially in pockets of communities who are vehemently against vaccination.
What made me think to write today, was the fact of how much I am grieving for Humanity. And for the family members, and friends who have lost their lives since the pandemic started. And in part of my Grieving process, I honour their memory by doing the work I do. And try to Live one of their most admirable trait within my own life right now.
In Aikido, the practitioner do not resist an incoming blow, rather they redirect it in a way that would avert injury to themselves. And accepting the fact that you will get blows, and you will fall - and learn to get up after each one.
I came across the concept "Antifragile" that describes how repeated exposure to challenges and setbacks can actually make something or someone better, by embracing the change and not resisting it. I personally call it "Embracing the Eye of the Storm" - finding the Centre of Calm within the swirling Chaos. And so, I continue my Dance with the Universe. Even with so many setbacks and blows - each challenge is an opportunity to change and grow. Evolve. To Evolve is to Embrace the Storm.
