‘Andrà tutto bene’
‘Everything will be all right’

That’s a message and also a movement that comes out of one of the of the presently most Coronavirus-affected countries in the world – Italy.
And it is shared in children’s paintings and drawings circulated on social media, in posters and improvised flags.
.
This spirit is also shared by adults and kids singing and playing instruments on their balconies for their neighbors. And probably for themselves as well. 

To re-assure their uncertain and frightened heart.

Certainly … re-assurance and strong faith that “also this will pass” is what we all will need soon.

The world faces a situation that we have not yet experienced in our generation.
Something invisible that strikes humanity worldwide in short succession and affects rich and poor and the powerful people as well as the homeless and downtrodden in similar ways.

And the severe disruption of life-as-we-know-it will be unprecedented in the next few months to come.
No more business-as-usual will be possible in most countries of the world.
Things will change fast and unpredictable so.

It will hinge on everybody, from the top of governments worldwide, down to every individual, how we can deal and adapt to those sweeping changes.
How strong our resilience and flexibility and solidarity and creativity is.
If we want & can stay positive and constructive or if we give in to fear, anxiety, dissociation, self-centeredness and such.

As in every existential crisis or disaster, the best and the worst in the individual person and in society will become visible very clearly.
This is no time to stick the head into the sand.
This is not the time to indulge in conspiracy theories.
Not the time at all to look for scapegoats and point fingers.
Not the time to believe in irrational hopes and miracles.
Not the time to spread fear, gloom and doom.

I guess now is the time to stay grounded, practical and clear-headed.

These days Facebook, Youtube and Twitter together with the other social medias will certainly be the amplifiers of misinformation, confusion and simply overkill of personal opinions and panic.

Or – on the positive side – it could also be what it has originally promised to be:
A way to build community and to get together beyond the restriction of place and time.
A possibility to practically organize and help where help is needed.

A new and organized form of virtual but real neighborhood could be formed, a possibility to watch out for one another, without jeopardizing the lockdown and social-distancing that is absolutely crucial to stop or slow down mass infection.
Organizing solidarity actions, pooling and sharing resources.

Maybe it could also become a forum to offer advice and a therapeutically sensitive “open ear”, so people can voice their fears and release some of their psychologic burdens.

It is obvious that individual action and co-operation is only the grassroots basis for large scale action by governments.

 Leaders of all kinds of institutions on international, national, state & community levels need to make clear, transparent and decisive actions that slows the infection rates by widespread testing and quarantines for infected populations.

Accepting the shutting-down of daily life as we know it, following the guidelines with discipline and humility will be the determining factor for how long the crisis will last.

I guess even deeper than the fear of catching the virus will be the anxiety and uncertainty about the economic fallout. The existential threat that this situation will pose to many small and middle-sized companies, to legions of employees and hourly-wage workers.
I can not really imagine how this will work out, i pray and hope for miracles – honestly!

This can only be solved by unprecedented solidarity and generous, unbureaucratic actions of governments, central banks and … billionaires.

Wouldn’t this be a miracle if the richest people of this world, the billionaires , the top 1% who hold 44% of the worlds wealth would share it with the rest of us, use it to keep people in business and the economy alive.

For me – this would be a wonderful and true miracle : )

But with or without such a miracle, in the short run, for many of us who don’t have a whole lot of cash in the bank or who live from the hand to the mouth it will be tough.
It will need a lot of downsizing, minimizing, smart organizing, flexibility and … creativity.

And solidarity.
Sharing.
Giving.
Pooling.
Collaboration.
Community action.
Unselfish empathic behavior.

These are all very nice and ideal words, but how can we live them, where can we find the strength when the going gets tough? 

A lot of us will be out of work soon, with more time on our hands than usual.
I suggest not to waste it with worrying too much, with spending too much of it in front of the TV, the computer screen, facebooking or reading endless disjointed Twitter streams.

I suggest to strengthen family ties, neighborhood ties, friendship ties.
Doing something good and practical for somebody in your immediate environment.
Spending time with your cat/dog/horse/canary if you have one ;  ). 

Walk the dog for some elderly neighbor who is not allowed to leave the house anymore.

Communicate your situation, share your fears – but don’t stop there.
Try to give hope, inspiration, elevate the mood with humor … … such things.

This time of forced retreat could also be a gift to take quality time with yourself.
Reflect on your life as you know it.
Is it what you want to be, what you want to live?
Taking stock.

Could this be a chance to set out in a new direction after the crisis is over.

I suggest to start to meditate, watch your breath, train yourself to be in the moment.
Discipline yourself to empty the mind of negativity and worries.

Remind yourself what are your skills and qualities, what you could contribute to the world.

Remind yourself of the fact that “also this will pass!”.

Remind yourself of the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit – of your spirit – that has already lived thru many many many sorts of crisis.

Most importantly, don’t let fear and anxiety take over. 

This is the time to be strong and and uplifting and encouraging.

This will be especially important for those of us who have or care for children.
For them you need to be example now, so they learn how to deal with crisis, how to act responsible for the good of the whole instead of closing the doors and be depressed.

Fore these children – the people of tomorrow – it will be important to be able to live with radical change, to have learned the tools to deal with uncertainty and turmoil and to have acquired a lot of skills that are not learned in the present school systems.

For them, Coronavirus crisis might be the real school.

Well, i hope i could express a somewhat positive, yet realistic and constructive perspective, how i see this situation.
If you want to comment or share something personal, please use the comment section or email me directly.

In case of psychologic emergency or if you need spiritual advice or support you are welcomed to contact me.

[email protected]
www.crisrieder.org

May all beings be in peace

Cris