Keep Those Spirits Lifted
It's so easy to get wrapped up in the 'poor me' mindset. Some people think we are having (and I quote) 'our basic human rights taken away from us throughout this whole ordeal'. It's not okay that we can't see our friends and family. We should be able to hug them if we run into them on the street. We shouldn't be locked up in our homes like they're jails.
When you take a step backwards though, you realise how being locked up in our homes is such a privilege. If anyone watched this episode of The Project the other night you would have heard this letter written by an Indian doctor, it puts everything back into perspective:
““Social distancing is a privilege – it means you live in a house large enough to practise it.
Hand washing is a privilege too – it means you have access to running water.
Hand sanitisers and soap are a privilege – it means you have money to buy them. Lockdowns are a privilege – it means you can afford to be at home.
The most effective ways to ward off corona are accessible only to the affluent. In essence a disease that was spread by the rich as they flew around the globe, will now kill millions of the poor.””
I highly recommend watching that episode of The Project. It talks about why we (Australia) are 'The Lucky Country'. We are geographically isolated from the rest of the world, less densely populated, have collective political leadership, one of the best health care systems in the world and we have appropriate infrastructure to be able to self-isolate comfortably.
Hit FM, a radio station in South West WA, have just replaced three minutes worth of ads with three minutes of mindfulness instead. Today they gave everyone time to think of three things they were grateful for. I could think of a hell of a lot more than just three. Here are just a few:
For the health and safety of my entire family
To be given this time to reconnect and live with my family in WA (something I probably never would have done otherwise)
To live in a country that supports its people financially in times of hardship (thank you Job Seeker allowance!)
For the internet (allowing us all to stay connected and entertained)
For this lockdown to provide an opportunity for the Earth to heal (and hopefully for people to become more aware of their ability to assist in the battle against climate change)
To have this time to slow down, learn new skills and discover what's important to me
For the acts of kindness being shown throughout this time (it's teaching me to take more time to do things for other people)
To have made the decision to self-isolate in one of the most beautiful places in the world (Margaret River)
There are way more positives than negatives, you just have to look for the silver linings.
My amazing friend Alice just put together the cutest little drawing to show how her friends are keeping their spirits lifted. Give her a follow on insta @schooldaysketches
