Opportunity to grow

There are no mistakes in life, only lessons.

There is no such thing as a negative experience, only opportunities to grow, learn and advance along the road of self-mastery.

From struggle comes strength.

Even pain can be a wonderful teacher.

~ Robin Sharma

Feeling powerless against an invisible enemy and dependent on authority figures to save lives is not conducive to optimal living. Autonomy, safety and agency are keystones to health and wellbeing.

Many of us have come to behave like victims, blaming external sources for our demise.

The more we marinate our minds on what’s broken, the more apparent what’s broken becomes.

~ Christian Pearson

I do not wish to downplay the magnitude of the suffering people are experiencing.

I just want to offer hope

The other day I asked my husband how his inability to travel over the last couple of years has impacted his level of happiness. He loves to travel.

Although he skirted the question by answering that he aspires to have a renewed opportunity to teach in Switzerland, when pressed, his answer was: no less happy.

The theory of hedonic adaptation states that regardless of what happens to people, their level of happiness will eventually return to their set point.

We have a problem. Contrary to current claims by biased "fact-checkers", public health mandates have not worked. Mandates have had little to do with science and much to do with politics. They have failed. But people are waking up. The truth is being investigated. This too shall pass. Never has there been a greater opportunity to learn and grow.

Trust that experts who have not fallen under the influence are respectfully dealing with those whose behaviour has become corrupt. Change is needed but transparency in the need for radical behaviour change is important. People can be persuaded to take one for the team as we have seen.

Shifting our thinking to lessons we have learned from our suffering

The wound is the place where the Light enters you.

~ Rumi

I, personally, have learned to rely on my vehicle less. I only drive when groceries are needed, once a week if that. Because I live in a remote location, I have become a more organized shopper, adding to a list, items as a perceived need arises.

As prompted by this thoughtful video, I learned to focus on the treasures that have not been on lockdown.

Sunrises and sunsets are not locked down.

Fresh air is not locked down.

Genuine friendships are not locked down.

Creativity and imagination are not locked down.

Hobbies are not locked down.

Family time is not locked down.

Kindness is not locked down.

Music is not locked down.

Hopes and dreams are not locked down.

I learned to appreciate what matters most. Less is more and an attitude of gratitude yields abundance.

There are no mistakes in life, only lessons

Collectively, we are learning not to take our rights and freedoms for granted.

We are assuming more responsibility for our health outcomes. The choices we make in the food we eat and the physical activity we engage in can reduce the need for costly medical intervention. Taken in the right dose at the right time, early treatment with supplements, like vitamin D, vitamin C, NAC, quercetin, black seed oil, diluted iodine nasal and throat washes, melatonin and zinc, can save lives. Pine needle tea can also help. (Check with a qualified health care practitioner to rule out any contraindications for you.)

We have become aware that medical research funding, training and review processes need to be better regulated and inequities in health have to be addressed.

To that end, I have been involved in a research study that assesses the experience of anyone who has had a loved one die in Toronto hospitals during the pandemic. The opportunity to share what can be done better is therapeutic.

Divisiveness has been costly. We need to unite in sharing our stories respectfully.

Together we will achieve more.