by Judy M McCutcheon
I was reading an article by the Tony Robbins team, and it really resonated with me. They were talking about the words we are using to describe our current situation.
Let’s take the words quarantine and lockdown as examples. The word quarantine brings to mind the images of people with the disease leprosy, who were quarantined and locked away from society. And what about lockdown? Does it conjure up the image of being in prison? In prison, the term lockdown is used to keep prisoners in their cells to prevent a riot. It’s where even the limited freedom in the jailhouse yard is taken away.
Tony Robbins says, “It’s time to wake up and become conscious of the patterns that are currently shaping the way you feel.” The meaning of words affects the way we feel, and those emotions alter our decision-making process. Currently, we are all trying to come to grips with what is happening. My daughter is in 5th form and should be getting ready for CXCs. Is that going to happen, who knows. Are kids going to be able to go back to school for the rest of the school year? Only time will tell.
I see a lot of memes going around on social media about husbands having a hard time being at home with their families, especially their wives. As funny as those memes may be, they affect us on a psychological level, due to the negative connotation attached to them. So, instead of looking at this time as a period of utter punishment, let’s look at it as a crucible, where we create something new and beautiful. Let’s make that psychological shift and view this as a period of “newness” or one of “conscious continuation.”
Many of us have a variety of unfinished projects sitting around the house just yearning for us to finish them, and we’ve always been complaining about not having sufficient time to do so. Well look at that, now you have lots and lots of time. Use this time to be creative; finish or start that book, start a kitchen garden. Who knows what’s going to be the situation with food in the coming months. For some of us, we could start a business. Let us see opportunities in this situation, instead of fussing that you have to spend time with your kids.
Let’s flip the switch on the words we are using to describe our current situation. I love meditation, so for me, this is an ideal time for me to connect with myself on a deeper level. This helps me to be more aware, and it keeps me calm. I’ve noticed that I am kinder and gentler both to myself and others. I am also using this time to go running and just enjoy and appreciate what nature has given us. It is a time to be centred and grounded so that we can face whatever lies ahead with ease and grace.
What about you? Are you going to use this time to tap into your humanness so that you get to experience the expansiveness of love, joy, and connectedness? What about using the time to dream, to plan, to create, so that after this is over, you can execute. Shifting your emotional patterns is a sure way to help you make better decisions and plans for your life. Challenge yourself to change your narrative during this time and experience the sheer joy that comes with living consciously.
©All Rights Reserved.
Judy McCutcheon is a partner in the firm Go Blue Inc, a Human Development Company. www.goblueinc.net
Excellent points Judy! Thank you for taking the time to get us moving forward. All the very best to you and yours. Keep writing and keep inspiring !
Thanks for sharing Judy. This is a very realistic and positive view. I share a lot of your sentiments.
Dear Judy,
This is an excellent article. As a sociologist, I thought of the unintended consequences of the the Corona Virus. The Virus,
especially in the United States , forced some of us to concentrate on some of the things that are really important. Institutions such as family, religion, economics, and others have helped some of us to cope. Additionally, some of my colleagues, family, and friends are discussing how we can join hands to support Grenada. We ask our leaders at HOME to join us.
Amen!
This year is 2020, i call it the year of clearer vision or perfect vision. For me it means a time of restoration, relaxayion, redirecting and self examination. I am so enjoying this period it’s not funny. I thank God for taking something bad and turning it around for good. I see this situation as God’s way of bring his people closer to Him and that’s what I’m doing from the onset of this shift. I have time to focus and think things through instead of constantly being in a rush. I have time to build up relationships and things I didn’t take time with. I use this time to connect on a deeper level with God, my children, and family and friends. I use the period of time to redirect myself because I was aware that I was off track but with business it was hard to get the time off to take care of that. It’s a good time and people should use it wisely. My prayer is that in all this people find peace with God knowing that He already has this taken care off.
Keep this in mind that’s why we should not renew Quarantine park lease at end of term.
Well said. Food for thought for the wineners and not doing positive things for themselves or even teaching their kids. It all start from home.
well said life is what we make of it used it wisely
This is the very conversation I was having with my friend this morning as we are isolating together. It really feels good to connect with oneself and have the headspace to think and plan for the future once this situation is over. This is a great article. Thank you for sharing.
So true. We need to take time for ourselves but when we can’t God uses anything to get us where we need to be.
I support this 100%, well said!