Empty streets, closed restaurants, and bare supermarket shelves. Sky-high unemployment rates staring at us from the news. Public announcements urging us to stay six feet apart in stores. The new routine of wearing face masks in public places. Mass graves in New York City and decomposing bodies in rented trucks in New Jersey.
It’s like we’re living in a sci-fi movie, but it’s our reality now, and we’re adapting to new ways of life. Interestingly, many people are finding growth in these times. We’re connecting on Zoom, meditating, learning, and finding new ways to bond. We’re experiencing stillness, reflecting on life, and contemplating deeper questions: What truly matters? What is the purpose of life?
We’re on a quest for meaning.
I’ve gathered seven lessons from this crisis that have been particularly valuable to me. (Feel free to share what’s been significant for you.)
Meanwhile, the papers show images of protests against stay-at-home orders and stories of large gatherings despite the risks. Some people downplay the threat, clinging to selective data to convince themselves and others that the virus isn’t a big deal.
These behaviors seem like a refusal to accept our vulnerability—expressions of hidden fear. It’s frightening to admit that despite all precautions, medical and funeral systems are overwhelmed in some places. It’s daunting to realize that simple actions, like shaking hands or passing by someone, might lead to severe illness or death. Acknowledging that you could be unknowingly infected and a danger to others is unsettling. It’s no wonder some prefer to act like everything is normal or dismiss the risks.
But it takes courage to face these fears and uncertainties. We don’t know how long this will last or what will happen next.
So take a moment. Acknowledge your fear. Feel it and observe it. You don’t have to let it take over your life. Denying it only gives it more control.
This situation is tough. Lives are disrupted, many have lost their jobs, and businesses are shutting down for good. In my town, several places have closed permanently. I haven’t seen my kids in weeks because my partner is at high risk, and it’s too dangerous to have them over. I’ve already lost a friend to this virus.
Yes, it’s hard. But no matter how tough it is for you, someone else has it worse. Counting your blessings can help. I’m used to working from home, accustomed to isolation, and still have a job. My income has taken a hit, but I can still afford rent. I’m still healthy.
Focus on what’s going right each day and think about those worse off than you. Counting your blessings reveals you have more than you thought.
By following precautions and making sacrifices, we’re saving lives. Wearing masks and keeping distance don’t just protect us—they protect others. We might carry the virus unknowingly for days, spreading it to others. So these measures are genuinely life-saving. It’s a strange kind of heroism, perhaps staying home on the couch, but it’s heroism and compassion nonetheless.
Reflect on the bigger picture. Years from now, you’ll realize you played a part in saving lives, and that’s significant.
Your actions matter, even small ones. Wearing a mask encourages others to do the same. Keeping distance reminds everyone of its importance. Every action either reinforces or undermines life-saving social norms.
What we post on social media also has an impact. Negative emotions spread faster than positive ones, and false information sticks in our minds more than facts. So be mindful of your words and what you share. Think of fact-checking as a spiritual practice.
Remember, each of us has power. Being aware of this makes it more likely we’ll act wisely and compassionately.
Many people, with disrupted routines and more free time, initially feel lost and bored. But this often leads to a greater sense of meaning and purpose. This meaning varies for each person, but it usually involves connecting with others, becoming more loving, serving others, or engaging in creative or growth activities.
Take time to reflect, read, and daydream. You’ll find your sense of meaning.
There’s a lot of suffering in the world, and ignoring it doesn’t protect us—it isolates us and leads to a different kind of pain. Seclusion and loneliness follow. As 8th-century teacher Shantideva wrote, even compassion involves suffering, but it’s a shared suffering that connects us.
Suffering can narrow our view, making us focus on our own pain. But acknowledging our suffering and showing compassion opens us up. We realize others are suffering too, often more than we are. We move from self-compassion to selfless compassion.
Compassion isn’t just a feeling; it’s a drive to alleviate suffering. Supporting others can ease our own pain. Knowing someone understands us lightens the load of our suffering.
Reach out to friends and family. Check on them. Listen and empathize instead of trying to fix things. Understanding their pain is more helpful than solving their problems. And if you can offer practical help safely, do it.
Amidst widespread job loss and isolation, the stock market is booming. Billionaires are getting richer while essential workers, often deemed unimportant, struggle. In the US, many live paycheck to paycheck, without the luxury of taking sick days or affording health insurance.
The world we knew was flawed, and now it’s evident how broken it was. We’ve forgotten that everyone matters. Most of us want to return to normal, but we shouldn’t go back to the old normal. Let’s build something better.
This crisis reminds us that we never had control, just the illusion of it. It teaches us to live day by day, with patience and resilience, without rushing to judge circumstances as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’
We don’t know what the new normal will look like, but it won’t be the old one. This might not be the last pandemic, but we’ve learned lessons for the future.
Let’s use this time to create a better world when it’s over.