The Viral reflection

By Professor Daylover

We have come to an unprecedented moment.  With the past week’s whirlwind of cancellations, shutdowns, and shelter in place mandates, the world shivers in anticipation of how many lives the outbreak may ruin, on top of the damage already wrought.  Indeed, the collective trauma we face, as a species, feels monstrous, especially with the added knowledge of how many were suffering and stand to suffer more.  

Of course, the virus will bring out the best and worst in people: offers of meal delivery and grocery pickup via social media, and the great toilet paper fiasco of 2020.  I’ve seen the best far outweigh the worst, an outpouring of empathy, sacrifice, and assistance over hysteria. There’s tons of alchemists out there doing great work, and by alchemist, we mean those who help us transform for the better.  An alchemist views all situations as a mirror, showing us not only where we are, but what we’re capable of. The virus, then, stands to show us much more than perhaps any other historical event in recent memory. Perhaps, the outbreak will inspire a more honest standard of living, and make us a lot less entitled.       

I would like life to go back to normal, but normal’s been revealed to be a term up for grabs.  This is scary. And when social distancing limits so much of our potential, what can we do? 

1. Be kind.  Assume that anyone you talk to (in person, online, over the phone) has it worse than you.  In troubling times, become a tree of understanding and compassion. Turns out the crap we normally complain about really doesn’t matter.  Like so many things, it was true pre-outbreak, but it’s even truer now.       
   
2. Chill your expectations.  Massive interruptions to our culture of convenience is bound to reflect our socially constructed entitlement.  It’s like how we assume stores are always stocked with whatever our needs are at that moment. Plan on having your expectations delayed, revised, or flat out shut down.  

This isn’t easy, but true transformation never is.  Like anything else, the virus invites us to evolve for the better.  The coronavirus isn’t deadly or harmful to massive amounts of people, but our response to it could be.  We can choose to act out of the common good or not, since it seems that self interest will only prolong the virus’s life.  We can always choose what to reflect back to others.      

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