The Next Normal

A local initiative to help others during Covid-19

For a few years now, I ever read about the new normal and how it explains away all sorts of bizarre or just downright, bad behaviour.  I am sick of it.  I forever am saying that we cannot just accept the new normal and we have to stand up to it.  Now with this pandemic and one third of the world under lockdown, I am starting to hear of the next normal.

Well, I think - Yeah!!  This may be the chance to build up a world normal that is more humane, more understanding and more forgiving.  This is my hope. 

What I am seeing in the midst of this crisis is so much kindness arising from people's hearts.  This could be the basis for the next normal, being the sign of a better future. 

In the midst of tragedy and sadness for so many; in the midst of these extraordinary times, there are graced opportunities, opportunities for good.  I do suspect that this may be the crisis the world has needed to kick us out of our comfort zones and selfish ways, to kick us out of the new normal. 

Then I have to ask what is this term 'new normal' all about?   Who made up this term?  And why?   To determine social outcomes?  To support some powerful elite?  Life cannot be described by generalizations.  That is too easy.  Roll on the next normal and hope it better captures who humanity really is. 

Face the Challenges

"We used to wonder where war lived, what it was that made us so vile.  And no we realize that we know where it lives ... inside ourselves."
(Albert Camus)

I read this quote on Facebook last Friday and I thought - How true!  It gave me a big kick which I needed as I face issues of work and life in the midst of  a worldwide COVID-19 crisis within my little world here in my Bangkok.

I remember a text book that was in my resource tool kit for life 25 years ago, entitled "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway".   That book provided me key learning for stepping out beyond my fears and so stop being the victim I was in life.  Then I read Timothy Radcliffe last week, sharing a powerful reminder that "those are courageous who fear and yet do what they should".  These two together act to empower me for facing today's world and its many challenges.  They tell me that we do not have to be ostriches but can be the creators of new ways for the needed transformation of life into the future.

It just takes courage which does not deny our fears but takes us beyond them.  Easy, no?

Don't be an Ostrich

Don't just bury yourself.  

Holy Redeemer is a centre for Catholic worship in Bangkok, run by the Redemptorists who are the most successful male clerical religious congregation in the country.   Successful?  Hmm!!!

The Brothers taught me at school that life was about being perfect, successful and in control. I long ago learnt that none of these worked.  They really did not define or help deal with life at all.  Instead these themes held me back for I have never been perfect, have been only somewhat successful at times and hardly ever in control.

Back to the Redemptorists.  They may be seen as successful but, in this crisis, they are showing  up all the dysfunctional life themes of control, perfection and success as the traps they are for us little, fragile human beings.  Yes, they may keep running the show as if nothing ever happened.  That may make them appear to be stronger and better in the church market place but what they are doing is acting destructively against good and healthy solidarity in church and society.  What is a key for life in this time of world crisis is that we all stand in solidarity and act responsibly.  This is so at anytime but is shown up to be more so true in a time of crisis. 

We cannot bury ourselves in our own mythology, our own story.  We are ever challenged to get out and be part of the wider story, the reality of humanity.  That is much more so at a time like this, a crisis that shows us up for who we truly are.  So a time like this challenges us to change, to find creative ways of life and love; not just sticking to the old, tired ways; not being driven to be perfect, strong and in control which will never happen.  Extraordinary times like today show us this so clearly.  Time to get out of the tomb.

Sense of Humour Always.

Pope Francis is ever the great leader when you need a leader.  One of his constant pieces of advice is to keep a sense of humour.  Tango is also good for the soul. 

Humour is about more than a coping strategy; it is the human spirit rising up for good.  It is a sign of living a healthy spirituality. 

This pandemic is about much more than health. 
I follow a Filipino friend who works on the Zaandam, a luxury liner, as he endured the voyage of a life time because nowhere would take in the ship until they finally could dock in Miami after literally going the length of the Latin American coast. 
I hear from a friend elsewhere.  While in lockdown, he was threatened physically by his ex and so sought refuge at a friend's house. 
A good friend loses his father to non COVID-19 causes.  The challenge becomes having a funeral in lockdown times. 
Another friend is saddened by the loss of his long term luncheon companion who succumbed to COVID-19.  Yes, both are older and the outcome could be expected but not the great sadness at his friend's dying in isolation. 
I hear of a younger, healthy Australian male here, dying suddenly in his room from a heart complaint.  The sadness is his aloneness and his family in Australia, being unable to do anything. 

The stories go on.  The humour keeps rising.  Life goes on no matter what, and, in the midst of all, seemingly for many for the better.  We are learning who is in charge, and it is not us.  So spirituality for sure; humour always.