Where do we go from here?

The following excerpt is a reflection of the times during the 2020 pandemic. While circumstances have changed, the questions and call to action remains relevant for us today.

It is almost the seventh week of the shelter-in-place response to the pandemic here in California. By this time, the internalized anxiousness about what is around the corner is now unrestrained. Interest rates are bottoming out, the supply for oil far surpasses market demand, more than 22 million have filed for unemployment in a span of four weeks, and over 170,000 lives have been claimed by the virus worldwide. The flurry of nervousness and uncertainty is leading people to protest in the streets.

Moving from an exchange-based economic system to a relationship-centered one could be the saving grace as we emerge out of this. Could this be the moment in history when there are systemic changes that bring the HUMAN back into policy-making, profit-generating, and place-making in this ever increasingly complex yet beautiful world? The call for renewal is ringing loud and clear from single mothers, small business owners, economists and community activists.

How will we respond?

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Victor Frankl, A Man’s Search for Meaning

I’ve been pondering this question and searching out the elements necessary to lead, work, grow and serve on the other side of the crisis. This is a work in progress, and the characteristics may expand or evolve over time. But I’d like to start here and see where we go . . . 

H is for HUMILITY

To be humble is to be in wonder and awe around us, acknowledging that we have been granted an invitation to be a contributor. Humility reminds us of ‘where’ and ‘when’ are we. In my experience, those who embody the characteristic of humility are those who have authentic conversations and intentional communication to share their process or journey. Humility is necessary to solve the problems caused by COVID-19. We must first acknowledge that no single person has the answer. If we can learn how to be humble, then perhaps this will lead us into a deeper place of healing and renewal our society, economics and environment are longing for. Humility is the strength by which we can undo narcissism, taking collective agency to slay this giant that has been at the root of our broken systems in America for too long.

U is for UNITY

What we see before us is an opportunity to unwind from the philosophy of ‘I think therefore I am’ and lean into the more wholesome perspective ‘I am because we are’. Unity is a rare commodity as evidenced by the polarized nature and vitriol of American politics. In the new economy, which could become a regenerative one, those who seek unity will win. The most resilient ones will be those who carry a strong bond. Not necessarily of the same mind, but more importantly, of the same heart.

M is for MISSION

Human beings are motivated by purpose, by having a sense of participating in something greater than ourselves. Suffering is not something we like to talk about much, but truth be told that when we engage in mission, we begin to not only see but also feel the suffering around us. Not to save the day, but to allow our heart to connect to the real pains of the other person, until they become our own. Trauma is a painful part of the human experience. What we need to be mindful of is that many people near and far live in trauma everyday - and the pandemic has only deepened the grip of fear and trauma on what sliver of hope they might have had. What would it look like if all of our ‘mission-driven’ initiatives laid down their heroic efforts and took a long moment to enter the suffering of others? What if the mission was to connect this deeply in our relationships, our work and in our care for the earth?

A is for ADAPTATION

Adaptation is the process by which we become adjusted to new environments or circumstances. However, on a psychological level, we know that our brains are most resistant to change. Any sort of disruption causes us to fire off neurons and grow a brand new network, setting our belief systems in place. Facing adversity is when we discover that our safety nets and security systems are really there to teach us the power of resiliency. The outcomes of adaptation found in nature are stronger responses to the surrounding environment. The greatest indicator of our health and wellbeing comes from our capacity to respond.

N is for NATURE

Where can we learn new patterns of discovery and behavior in the new economy that awaits us on the other side of the pandemic? In the intricate designs found in the natural world, we can find a solid measure and pure mentor. Perhaps we will learn to notice that in nature, growth is a process, not a financial destination. In nature, the notion of enough abounds because scarcity is not actually the truth. Scarcity is a result of the imbalance of the abundant resources present. Maybe as we walk through the tragedy of the pandemic, we will begin to ask - how much is enough - and start to rebuild from there.