When the people of Jerusalem were exiled to Babylon they needed to come to terms with their loss. Everything that was familiar, their very way of life, just disappeared. Their lament was a means of getting through their agony. They needed to mourn; but then they had to move on to survive as a people.
We too are living in a kind of exile – as life as we have known it slips away. While we have not been forced to relocate, we also find ourselves in a strange land. Told to stay home to combat the virus – unless, of course we are doing essential work, or making furtive trips for essential supplies or medical treatment – we have been disconnected from our social relationships. We have been denied physical contact with anyone not a part of our immediate household. We cannot meet others without maintaining social distancing of at least two meters apart; and must wear masks whenever maintaining the social distance is not possible. Maintaining our mental health requires four “touches” a day. Those with solitary households cannot receive that. While we can see and talk with friends, family, and colleagues on ZOOM and similar platforms, they cannot provide the essential physical contact – even proximity – which we crave. Like those ancient Jewish exiles, we do not know when or if things will return to the way they were. We also must come to terms with what has befallen us and what it could mean for our future. Then we too must move on, letting go of our fears and anxieties.
Speaking to the people in exile, the Prophet Jeremiah put it this way:
4 The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He speaks to all those he forced to go from Jerusalem to Babylon. He says, 5 “Build houses and make your homes there. Plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Get married. Have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons. Give your daughters to be married. Then they too can have sons and daughters. Let there be many more of you and not fewer. 7 Also work for the success of the city I have sent you to. Pray to the Lord for that city. If it succeeds, you too will enjoy success.” 8 (Jeremiah 29:4-7 New International Reader’s Version)
What the Pandemic has given us is the gift of time. The lives of those who are not essential workers have been simplified by government fiat. We are supposed to stay home as much as possible, to curtail the spread of the disease and save lives. Even those working from home have more time; since our commuting time is ours to use for other purposes now. Moreover, since non-essential travel is discouraged, and most events and attractions have been cancelled, people are staying home, and finding things to do with their spouses and children in their immediate neighbourhoods. It is a slower, gentler pace of life. For a “Boomer”, like myself, it is reminiscent of life in the 1950’s.
During the eleven months of our “captivity” we have had the opportunity to rediscover the joys of baking, cooking, woodworking, photography, walking in nature, playing with our children, our pets, our spouse, reconnecting with family and friends – albeit electronically – particularly those with whom we have not been in contact for some time. Some have taken up new activities, or hobbies or rediscovered old ones. In doing so, many have come to the realization that they may have been pursuing things that do not matter so much in the great scheme of things. Let us not waste this gift of time we have been given. Rather, let us reflect on what we have been doing, and what we would like to do going forward.
Many are now open to considering something different. Some are acting. In 2020, according to a recent report from Stats Canada, Toronto’s population declined by over 50,000 people. In part, the report stated:
Personal health, the ability to work remotely, and higher housing costs are among the most important factors contributing to the decision of many Canadians to continue (or to no longer continue) living in large urban centres hardest hit by the pandemic. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/210114/dq210114a-eng.htm .
Whatever you choose to do – and you do now have choices – live fully in this present moment; rather than yearning for what was. In the next moment, live fully there also. Moment by moment, we will get through this.
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