R&R

A recent article in the Bangkok Post attracted my attention.  It is entitled "Thai massage loses its charm behind masks, social distancing".  It is a story about the 'used to be' thriving massage industry in  Thailand that is now far from thriving in a COVID-19 world because of the new normal with its guidelines for dealing with the pandemic.  

These guidelines apply to all social settings for the sake of upholding health and safety.  They determine how we come together, how we interact.  In the massage industry, this has had a huge impact on what is a simple, business engagement for pursuing individual well-being.   In the pandemic, the everyday massage has become part of the front line for fighting the virus.  As a massage can pose a danger to one's well-being, the response is to apply guidelines which make it some sort of 'out of earth' experience.   

I am seeing the continuing message that this pandemic is more than a health crisis.  It is teaching us how to be human and be human together.  This is shown in this case example of Thai massage where an ordinary interaction between customer and practitioner becomes something strange and uncomfortable and extraordinary for the sake of good in this age.  Welcome to the new normal.  

The key words in this new normal for human behaviour are respect and responsibility.  It is time for R&R.  We are being challenged to reinvent both life and business on the basis of R&R, even in Thai massage.  These two Rs lead to a third R of the new normal - Reinvent.  

Hold these 3 Rs as key words for good and decent human behaviour.  Respect and responsibility leading to reinventing as needed.  Somehow we had lost our way.  This pandemic is helping us refind our proper and shared way.  What a great opportunity for humanity!  This is a grace filled time.  We just need to recognize it and embrace it.