Perspective & Wellbeing in Isolation
Just over a month ago, as Italian hospitals were becoming overwhelmed, the number of COVID-19 related deaths were increasing exponentially, and people in Italy went into “lockdown”, I was at home in Thailand, at that moment safely away from any virus infections, and had mild anxiety for my daughter and friends who were in Florence, Italy. I was quickly reassured by phone calls and messages that they were healthy and all was well. No need to panic.
Within a few days of that, two work trips were postponed. No problem - I frankly didn’t mind having a little time off from the constant travel and time away from home. After an exceptionally busy fall, traveling every couple of weeks, I could use the break!
I had another little blip of anxiety when the UAE, where my family live, announced they were closing their borders to foreign nationals. After a deep breath, I quickly realized that with work trips postponed, this was not such a big deal. They are healthy. I will see them soon enough…
When Emirates Airlines stopped flying, and shortly thereafter Etihad Airlines followed suit, the anxiety level rose to a new height. Wow! Two big international airlines were no longer flying all over the world – this was serious! I had a night of high anxiety and tension, feeling pressure to do something! In the morning, I centered myself. I had no where to go. Why was I worried? It was ok.
Over time, as expected, the virus came to Thailand. Slowly, we went to shutdown, with restaurants and non-essential shops closing. Slowly air traffic reduced. Finally, the international borders were closed, the government confined us to our districts and the closest international airport closed to airplane traffic. Contrary to what I would have thought a month earlier, I was calm and peaceful.
My immediate family (parent, spouse, children) were spread out on three different continents, with no ability to fly to each other. We were, however, healthy, living in comfortable places with food and shelter, and regularly connecting with each other via the internet. A forced pause! What a novelty – let me enjoy the ride!
And I am! I love the quiet morning bike rides on empty streets next to the equally empty beach. I love being able to identify and get to know my neighbours, now that the tourists have left us and we shelter in place. I love hearing the birds sing without the interference of car noise. I like the slower pace of my days, the lower volume of email messages in my inbox, and the increased messages and phone calls from far flung friends and family.
I also love the way the emergency has forced people to reconsider, even if only temporarily, their priorities. Generosity is coming from unexpected places – famous gurus providing free online meditation and yoga practices; hotel chains donating rooms to health workers so they can be close to their places of work and more easily rest; large companies paying half salaries for employees to keep them afloat despite the lack of company revenue; lower income countries donating face masks to higher income countries; spiritual leaders freely giving online counseling and meditation sessions; training professionals offering free online classes for educators on how to run effective and engaging virtual classes. It’s meaningful and gives hope.
The other thing I love about this emergency – it’s like a snow day, making everyone, even the extroverted, type A people, slow down and appreciate their blessings – their health, their family and friends, and the healing nature that is around us…
Peace, love, and hope. Always.
