Time Out- A Divine Message?

Has it occurred to you that this coronavirus pandemic has placed the human species in a collective Time Out? Could this be a Divine message that we are out of alignment and need to change our behaviors towards ourselves, one another, the Earth and her beings? Is COVID 19 inviting us to reassess how we have been living individually and collectively, and to learn new ways of being that are healthier for us and the planet?

When putting a child in time out we hope they will think about what they did or said and consider a better way of acting the next time. Kids often see time out as punishment, but it can be embraced as an opportunity.

Now that much of our habitual doing has been put on hold, we have time for reflection and realignment with who we really are. Though some may be itching to go back to life as it was before the pandemic, that most likely is not possible nor is it to our benefit. By disconnecting from what we have been engaged with and attached to we may discover or reconnect with what’s really important to us.

Not sure what’s next?

We’re in what’s considered liminal space – the time between the ‘what was’ and ‘what’s next.’ This place of transition, of waiting, and not knowing is where transformation takes place. In Latin, it means threshold. Evolutionarily we are at a threshold point where we need to release a way of living that is harmful on many levels in order to co-create a more healthy, just, sustainable and caring world. This starts with each individual doing their own healing work.

Unexpected gifts?

We can find examples throughout history showing that time spent in quaratine resulted in  amazing breakthroughs. During isolation due to the plague, Isaac Newton had his ‘Year of Wonders’ with revolutionary inventions and discoveries in calculus, motion, optics and gravity. And while in isolation due to a plague pandemic Shakespeare had his most prolific period, producing Macbeth, King Lear and Antony & Cleopatra. While not suggesting you set expectations of discovering a new branch of math or writing the next Tony award winning play, I believe there could be gifts and lessons in this retreat period for each of us. Our global pause is offering us a chance to review and reset what is not working in our lives and our world.

 

Time Out collage card by Jane Norton

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

Seneca

REFLECTION

• Have you previously experienced a time out? If so, what did you learn? What were the benefits?

• What or whom might you need to disconnect from?  Do you sense what you may want to connect or reconnect with?

• What possible benefits can you see for yourself and humanity in this?

PRACTICE
In order to become centered and calm in my own energy in the face of distracting or chaotic energy in the world, I use the ALIGN practice. There is a short version and a longer one. It takes only a moment to learn the 3 steps in the short version.

CAVEAT: I fully recognize that there are many people who are not experiencing this as a Time Out as they are on the front lines of providing essential services like medical care, food production, distribution and sales, and delivery. I honor and am deeply grateful to all of them and hope that they do get a time out when this is over.  I am also aware of those challenged with meeting basic needs. This is more for those who are not sure how to navigate this time as their normal routines have been disrupted and have the privilege of reflection and choices.