During this time when most of us are isolated at home and life has been turned on its head. When we cannot continue our busy (sometimes over-scheduled) lives, we have been afforded a unique opportunity for reflection. In experiencing life stripped down to the basic, we can take a truthful look at what in our lives was really necessary, what brought genuine joy and meaning, what was really worth our time and effort. What do we really miss from the way our lives were a few weeks ago? 

On the flip side—what are we realizing in this moment of reconnection with our family and our own selves, that was lacking or completely absent in the lives we had a few weeks ago? Did we spend enough time with our children, where we truly engaged with them? Did we spend quality time with our spouse beyond discussing the logistics of the busy day ahead? Did we spend sufficient time in prayer and meditation, and even more, were we truly aware of its importance in our daily lives, until we were seeking it out as a means to deal with the stress or anxiety of life as we find it now? 

Did we fully understand the importance of having true community and friendships until they were taken from us? I have been watching the videos being shared all over the internet of neighborhood concerts happening from the balconies of apartment buildings and all the neighbors enjoying the experience together and I wonder how many of those people were even aware of each other a couple of weeks ago. It is opening our eyes to how much we need each other, should value each other, and how important it is to truly see each other. 

Experiencing something that is impacting every person on the planet at the same time, and understanding how in working together as a global community, we can prevent the spread of the coronavirus, is proving to us in an undeniable way, that we are truly one human family; that the borders of countries, the color of our skin, the language we speak, our religious beliefs, have no meaning in the face of a global pandemic, that the only way we can beat this, is if we come together as the human family we are. That we love, care, and serve one another in the manner in which we have been built to by our Creator. 

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” ~ Bahá’u’lláh