The COVID-19 pandemic is here and is likely to expand exponentially before it subsides.

Many people have decided to self-impose a lockdown on their families and loved ones for the purpose of “social distancing” which is currently the best known way to stave off the expansion rate of COVID-19. It's really physical distancing… We don't want to social distance anything. If anything, we need social solidarity.

At times like this, when we go to the supermarket and see empty shelves, devoid of toilet paper, canned foods, hand sanitizing products and bottled water, the mind tends to fall back into survival mode, fulfilling its role in assuring the survival of our gene pool. This is a contracted state of consciousness. Me first. My family first. Surely, there won’t be enough for everyone. This is a place of scarcity based on a grim outlook projected by the mind onto the future. Fear is here. Worries, concerns, and actions stemming from these contracted thoughts. I’ve posted about this before, feel free to scroll down and read.

Many of us have secure jobs, or at least we are fortunate to have salaries we can fall back on as our companies tell us to stay home and work using video and collaboration platforms such as Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams to name a few. This is very fortunate. We have a stable income, we can take the time to slow down some and be with our children (both our real children, and, the inner ones inside of us who may be having a similarly stressful and tough time, not having been comforted adequately during our childhood).

As we take the time to do that, consider the people around us who might not be as fortunate. The cleaning person. The gardener. The weekly babysitter. The small business owner who supports your family ecosystem day in day out (the private preschool owner, or the piano teacher, for example). Here in the US, there is no social insurance net to fall back on. Nothing to catch you when your income well dries up all at once. There is no universal basic income (UBI). Wall Street, airlines and hotels may get massive incentives and bailouts. José the gardener won’t. Mariam the cleaning lady won’t. Josie the next door neighbor won’t. Their income could simply evaporate all at once.

What can we do? For one, due to our fortunate status, we may continue to pay them even if we don’t actually utilize their service right now. Maybe it’s an advance. Maybe it’s a gift. It doesn’t matter. The idea is to not kill off their income source all at once over something which will and must pass. All things must pass.

So, at this time of need, let’s think of those who need more help than us. Help that we are fortunate not to be needing. Let’s not lead from a place of mind-based worry thoughts, scarcity and fear. Let’s lead with our hearts from a place of abundance and compassion, and make sure that those who need our help day in day out can continue to rely on it.

I also want to stress again how important it is NOT to social distance, only to physically distance. This is especially true for the elderly members of our extended families. Stay in touch with them, check in with them, daily, regularly, help put their minds at ease as needed. Isolation can be very very detrimental to their state of mind. And there's absolutely no need for any isolation other than the physical one. Skype/Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime, or simply call. Use whatever means of communication you have to stay connected.

Lastly, here’s a great suggestion for a 20 seconds hand washing matra:

“May all beings be safe.

May all beings be content.

May all beings be healthy.

May all beings live with ease.”

And don’t forget to stock up on compassion.

Love,

Noam

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