I am observing silently everything that is happening regarding corona virus. I do not aim to underestimate the danger and I believe in taking the suggested measures. And on another level, perhaps looking at it as an anthropologist (I do have this passion sometimes) I like to observe myself and the people around. I confess that I find this, a great moment for deepening our learning. So here, I am sharing with humbleness my own insights. Of course, each one of us will have their own –perhaps very different ones. I am just sharing what I am taking away from this experience.

1. My personal responsibility is not only to take care of myself, but to respect the need of others to take care of themselves: Whatever my believes are on corona virus, I still need to act in a way that is respectful towards others and their personal or community needs. I am learning to be responsible and respectful.

2. Everything is possible: it turns out that is not the end of the world to cancel an event, a flight, a meeting, a job task, school lessons or gatherings if it is more important to take care of ourselves. Things do work out after all. I am learning from this to take care of myself and others in the future and not be afraid to cancel something, if it is needed to take care of myself and others.

3. Corona virus makes no discrimination: it doesn’t matter if I am from Asia, or Europe or Africa or beyond. I am remembering that we are all Human.

4. Fear spreads much faster and much wider than corona virus: Taking care of myself and the others is fundamental. Yet immersing into extreme fear may lead in becoming mindless, irrational, chaotic or unbalanced. I remember a quote saying: “Fear is the weapon of mass
   destruction”. I am learning to be informed, cautious, mindful, rooted.

5. Focusing on one thing endangers losing the whole picture: Focusing only on one thing makes me short-sided, ignoring what else is happening in the world. I ask myself: “If I care so much about my life and my loved ones, what else might endanger life that I need to act upon?” I am learning to zoom in and zoom out from situations, thus I can make the assessment of what is truly important and take my share of responsibility.

6. Focusing on corona virus evokes questions: Why is there now so much attention put on corona virus? What about hanger that kills thousands of people daily? What about excessive consumption of sugar, cigarettes, CO2, etc. that is killing us slowly? Do I only feel threatened by sudden death? What about slow death? I am learning to value the questions in hard times as they are the ones that push me to grow.

7. Physical dimension is important, but equally important are the emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions: I am wondering: “What am I doing to reinforce my physical health? (not only protect it, by empower it?) What emotions do I allow to enter in my heart? How can I
   cultivate stillness and clarity in my mind? How am I nurturing my connection with my soul and spirit?

8. This is the time to slow down: I feel grateful that now –eventually- my life rhythm is slowing down. It’s my (and our) moment to rest, to relax, to be creative, to deepen our connection with
   ourselves and the ones very closely around us, to work on the things that are meaningful. I am learning to slow down when is needed and to use this time to heal and revive.

   
   Eleni Michail