I-The point at a crossroads

We are living at a crossroads in time.

We are experiencing crossing questions, crossing emotions, and walking along crossing paths.

You can say to me: things are not black and white. 

Sure they aren’t, life includes a large scale of grays. But in this special historic time, I believe that the human race is at a crossroads of wise-unwise decisions. As healthy and unhealthy situations, as well as life and death, are no intermediate circumstances, I think this historic time requires clear directions to walk forward. So, more than usual, global and individual social compromise will determine the future and our lives.

 Patrick McAndrew stated: “I think 2020 will definitely force people to confront their lives”.

COVID requires our social compromise

You can take care of your health, but if you don’t take care of your neighbor’s health, you are not taking care of yourself.  And the same happens in the other direction, from your neighbor to you.

There is no individual solution.

Constructing the exit needs a community effort. 

From the nearest community at home to the biggest one, the whole Earth, it seems that social compromise is the key.  

And there is no place to hide.

In consequence, it challenges each person, each community, each country, and the whole human race to prioritize social compromise over individualism. 

The challenge is every day and everywhere. 

Teodora Pavkovic wrote this in the 1st edition of her 2021 Newsletter called: "When did it begin for you?"

”This Global Pandemic divides and completely disorients us”

And in this disorienting experience, we are looking for a candle to cross the dark tunnel hoping for a new light at the end of it.

Nobody can be sure which global behavior or trend will finally be reinforced.

+COVID is a crossroads opportunity

II- The parallel time

is not only a crossroads experience but is simultaneously an inner time,  as Nina Herscher points out: “I believe 2020 has been a year of fear along with hope  - in social work, we use a framework of "and not or" since we often experience simultaneous emotions we can experience fear and hope at the same time in extenuating circumstances”

It seems as though very different, almost opposing emotions, can be together at the same time in the same person. 

This introduces another dimension of the experience we are living.

++COVID Is a crossroads opportunity experienced simultaneously as a hope-fear emotion.

III- Reviewing life

Damian Larrimbe said to me: “I think that going through the pandemic will generate a reassessment of what is important and what is not.” 

When we feel apart from our loved ones, when isolation and fear surround us, life priorities are realigned.

Patrick McAndrew shared his own experience: “It can be easy for us to get caught up in work and materialistic things (and our technological devices!), but if COVID has taught us anything it is to appreciate the more simple things in life: family, friends, nature, travel, and engaging hobbies.”

+++COVID is a crossroad opportunity experienced simultaneously as a hope-fear emotion that makes you value what is really important.

IV- Managing without a manual 

When the COVID pandemic began, many of us thought we would emerge from it after several months, but time goes on and nobody knows when it will be over.

Teodora Pavkovic reminds us: “The Pandemic How-To Manual does not exist. You didn't miss a big announcement, or not get that memo, nor did you forget to sign up for that class. Where you are now - at this moment - is not proof of your incompetence, it is proof of your resilience”

++++COVID is a crossroads opportunity, experienced simultaneously as a hope-fear emotion that makes you value what is really important, but there is no manual at all.

V- Walking on the edge

Are we going to come back to "normal times" or are we walking towards a world forever changed?

Are we going towards a better world, or will we forget all this experience with successful vaccines? 

Nobody knows, but I like to think we have entered into an unexpected new era.

Damian Larrimbe said: “Psychological and life changes that took place after dealing with isolation, uncertainty, fear, and the sudden shutdown of our daily routine, will remain. I sense that neither our minds nor our lives will return to a similar state before the pandemic” 

We know that when we experience a personal crisis, we certainly emerge differently than we were before it. 

We are not the audience of COVID times, we are the star actors. 

I choose to build and not to wait.

We prefer to contribute to a better life, healthy and wise.

• This is the time for more “we” and less “I”.

• A time rooted in more realistic construction than unsustainable grandeur dreams. 

• A time for deep consciousness and reflection about our real place in the Universe.

• This is an advanced opportunity to put in order our relationship with the Earth, our unique life provider.  

• A time to understand that empathy shows us the way because we all are interdependent as never before. 

• An opportunity to comprehend that without peace in our heart, there is no peace surrounding us.

• A time to understand that without great collaboration business will not stand up.

VI- Roots for supporting hope

As Viktor Frankl showed us, not only from theories but with his incredible Auschwitz experience, meaning and purpose are the key to survival. (Learn more in “Man’s Search for Meaning”, by Viktor Frankl) 

The arrow of time always goes forward. 

There is no doubt that from the Big Bang to today, the Universe always oriented elements towards life, and makes me think that finally life and goodness will win the battle.  

Nobody knows when it will happen.

+++++COVID is a crossroads opportunity experienced simultaneously as a hope-fear emotion, that makes you value what is important, and although there is no manual at all, it seems wise to hear the humble voice of the Universe.

Each sunrise says the same.

Acknowledgments

Note 1: This work was based on thoughts shared with Nina Herscher, Teodora Pavkovic, Damian Larrimbe, and Patrick McAndrew. What they shared with me is much more than what appears in this article. Thank you to you all for helping me to think! 

Note 2: Teodora Pavkovic's words are excerpts taken from the 1st edition of her 2021 Newsletter called: "When did it begin for you?"

https://shoutout.wix.com/so/35NVnKYe0#/main

Note 3: This work was thoughtfully reviewed by Anna Lomanowska, Ph.D., our Advisor. I am so thankful to Anna for our first experience in her new role. She did such a thorough review that I can be sure that from now on my articles will have a high level of internal feedback before publishing them.