We have come so far in such a short period of time. Here we are entering a new season filled with sunshine and new plans of getting together with each other and exploring new venues that we left on hold in 2020. In just five months’ time, many have been vaccinated, our covid numbers have dropped, children are anticipating going back to full school days in the Fall, and many are already back in the classroom with their teachers and friends. Some are pursuing their wedding plans; others travel plans, some just breathing a lot easier when they go outside to meet up with friends and family. How fortunate we are!

We all know that this is not the end. Some people have not been vaccinated and this is their choice and personal right. They are still vulnerable and need to keep protected. Those who are vaccinated still need to protect themselves when in crowds and public spaces using a mask and keeping distance, and washing hands.

We are not free of variants of this virus, nor the virus itself. We are just a little safer should experience it if we have the vaccination, and more vulnerable if we have not taken the vaccination. The science supports vaccination.

For some, fear of the unknown feeds suspicion and avoidance. We need to respect this to help educate and understand why people choose to not vaccinate.  So, ask without judgment and help learn why people choose alternatives than mainstream science. They too need to have some understanding without judgment and be given time and help to return to their comfort zone when connecting with others.

I have found that people are not looking at emails, responding to text messages, and avoiding other technologies that they depended on during lockdown and the peak of the pandemic. I believe we are experiencing a form of technology apathy. This is not an official term, just one that makes sense to me. Meaning, wanting to be in contact and communication with another person and not be responding to a device. Remember, the old phone call, leave a message? Or, make a date and go out and talk with someone face to face? That is such a great old-fashioned way of communication—and so well needed now. Try calling instead of texting or emailing someone. See what kind of response you get. For sure a sense of surprise and excitement will be present in one’s voice.

Some people have lost confidence during the pandemic replacing self-reliance with fear of the unknown. Some have moved to comfort foods, lack of exercise, lack of self-care, and even social isolation. We are all human. It is now that the time to reach out and help those in need to see that “humans are social individuals” and we need each other. Send a card. Make a call. Offer to take a walk. Plan a short trip somewhere with a friend you haven’t seen since 2020. Helping someone else helps you, and helps the universal energy and resilience.

We are in a new wave of hopeful recreation of our lives. Leaving behind the old crap that didn’t really work well but we did it anyway before the pandemic, and moving into taking the good stuff we learned about our work, ourselves, and our abilities and use of time, into a new way of working, communicating, relaxing and living for today, staying in the present and building tomorrow on today’s progress.

This is an opportunity to begin anew with better communication, interactions, respect, diversity, and understanding ourselves and others. 2021 is our opportunity to build a progressive and kind community that is worth staying around and enjoying.

Nameste

Photo credit: Marek Piwnicki