Day 24: Another Week
Another week under stay at home rules and another week of trying to identify what exactly I've been doing all week. Trying to recall in general: Running, walking, biking, a fair bit of school work projects, cooking good food and lingering conversations after dinner, some house and bike repairs, reading in bed in the morning and watching a bit of tv but since I only really do this after dinner and that is usually almost 9 pm, that is pretty limited. Somehow that pretty much fills my time.
I'm interested in the messaging about how long we'll be under stay at home orders and how that is periodically extended. While part of this is just the evolving nature of what experts are learning, a lot, I think, is helping with people's psychology. I think if we had been told on March 15, these orders would be in place until May 15 (or beyond), so many would have pushed back, felt overwhelmed, or think it is futile to even try. Aiming to get through a couple weeks seemed more doable and there was a certain novelty to figuring this out for the short term, Then another couple weeks was okay since we were kind of getting used to this new normal. Then another month was easier to swallow as we can see some of the positive results of the social distancing and we all become aware of the long term picture and the absence of any particular good solution to the virus in any immediate time frame.
As we see how little any of us, or any government or other entity, public or private, can make these problems go away, I am led more to the wisdom of Buddhist acceptance and living in the present, appreciative of "the wonder of the 10,000 things." Patience, taking these one day at a time, living in the moment, not feeling a pressing sense of "having" to do anything in particular more than what seems worthwhile at the time. Sure, there's some things I need to do and I have enough ingrained responsibility I prioritize school work and do think about plans ahead we need to work on, but especially on this week of our spring vacation, following my inclinations seems a nice structure to connect with my internal compass and feel okay about another day and another week.
I'm interested in the messaging about how long we'll be under stay at home orders and how that is periodically extended. While part of this is just the evolving nature of what experts are learning, a lot, I think, is helping with people's psychology. I think if we had been told on March 15, these orders would be in place until May 15 (or beyond), so many would have pushed back, felt overwhelmed, or think it is futile to even try. Aiming to get through a couple weeks seemed more doable and there was a certain novelty to figuring this out for the short term, Then another couple weeks was okay since we were kind of getting used to this new normal. Then another month was easier to swallow as we can see some of the positive results of the social distancing and we all become aware of the long term picture and the absence of any particular good solution to the virus in any immediate time frame.
As we see how little any of us, or any government or other entity, public or private, can make these problems go away, I am led more to the wisdom of Buddhist acceptance and living in the present, appreciative of "the wonder of the 10,000 things." Patience, taking these one day at a time, living in the moment, not feeling a pressing sense of "having" to do anything in particular more than what seems worthwhile at the time. Sure, there's some things I need to do and I have enough ingrained responsibility I prioritize school work and do think about plans ahead we need to work on, but especially on this week of our spring vacation, following my inclinations seems a nice structure to connect with my internal compass and feel okay about another day and another week.
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