The title of this blog says it all…human connection matters! This recent covid-19 crisis has been a wake-up call for many, forcing a level of self-reflection on us that is uncomfortable, unrelenting, and actually, unwelcome. We can no longer hide from ourselves, or from those closest to us. We are either alone too much, or quarantined with those we love with too much closeness to be honest. Are some of us mis-interpreting “social distancing” as meaning relationship distancing? In our day to day conversations during normal times, whether by phone, text, email, messaging or other vehicle, we tend to ask simple questions: “How are you doing?” “What are you doing?” “Have you been out?” “Are you staying safe?” And the list goes on, with mostly one-to-three word simple responses: ”I am doing fine.” “Not much.” “Yes.” “No.” And the list goes on.
But shouldn’t our questions and responses go a bit deeper than that? Most of us clearly have the time to go deeper, even if our conversations are being held through remote technology. Maybe there are better, more spirit-related questions that we could pursue, if we really want to connect on a more authentic level.
Let me offer a few:
- How are you taking care of yourself during this time? How so? What is most comforting for you?
- How are you taking care of others during this time? How so? And how is that affecting you?
- Are you being cared for by someone you trust and care about? How so?
- What are you craving the most during this time? What are you doing about it?
- What has surprised you as we experience all of this? How has this affected you?
- What has distressed you as we experience all of this? How has this affected you?
- What are you learning about yourself as we experience all of this? How is this experience changing you?
- What about all of this has caused you to grow in some way?
During any time of crisis, I would rather be thankful that we live at a time in which we can take action. We don’t have to wait for destiny to decide our fate. And we have a wealth of resource and technology that enables us to stay connected, and even to enrich our relationships. How many of us have said to ourselves over the past few years: “I want more time with those I love. I want more time to think, to plan, to reflect, to just be, instead of this hectic, faster is better pace!” Crisis gives us something that many in today’s frantic world have been craving for a long time…time for reflection on what matters most. I guarantee that, if you pursue some of these questions with someone you care about, the conversation will be rich, enlightening, provocative, and engaging. And perhaps you will grow as a result of the conversation. Treasure that time!