It there is one thing Covid 19 has taught it – it is the importance of ‘rest and being’ on our relationships and the wider community.
Many of us, and I count myself in this group, have lived life in the fast lane far too much, with little time left to reflect and consider. I am getting better at this now. Hitting the pause button is now a universal experience. The question is what does it bring? What reserves can we pull on? How can we apply previous learning to something we have never experienced?
I do not think the answers matter, save knowing that we relieve weariness by the cessation of working. There is a season for everything. It is also surely, knowing the importance of how we are created to be, in our intrinsic worth as human beings. This brings different gifts, preferences, and personalities to contribute to the greater good of the wider community. Rebalancing the art of knowing our value as an individual, getting a life balance, and knowing our place in wider humanity has really come home to roost. Everything we do or do not do somehow affects everyone else. I read somewhere that our attitudes are our arteries, and I believe good relationships are also our life blood. Having time to rest gives us the opportunity to restore our wellbeing and relationships as we come to see things in greater perspective.
Connection between our organic bodies as a metaphor for our society in terms of interdependence, balance and harmony has been longstanding observation by philosopher’s and later, anthropologists and others . Many parts and one body which have our intrinsic complex wiring biologically and socially for:
· Networks and co-operation- the coming together of people.
· Friendship and culture
· Empathy and kindness
It is not just about what we do ( although I bite my tongue saying this as an occupational therapist) its more about who we are as people, our character and how we relate to those around us and how we share generously to others, as reminded by Mark Carney’s Reith Lecture 2020 it’s in the giving that we receive. What makes us what we are? The very fact we are human, and, in that humanity, we have some shared things in common which give us hope. I believe that we have a divine blueprint which we see in nature and as humans we can love unconditionally. We also have everything we need here. To live more simply we can consider lessons from nature and how it restores itself. Our health benefits from gratitude over greed.