10 Things We No Longer Take for Granted
We never stop learning, do we? The 2020 pandemic might be one of the most profound learning experiences in our lifetime. And suppose we go about what we experience with open minds. In this case, we can gain valuable wisdom that contributes to our personal growth and in our service to others.
Some things that we used to take for granted have recently developed new meaning. A smile, a handshake, or a breath of fresh air are reminders that what truly matters in life is not behind a glass wall of a fancy car dealership, does not require membership in a private club, and we won’t find it in a first-class cabin while heading to a five-star resort. Some of us start to appreciate the simple things while waiting for a time when it’s safe to be closer than six feet from another person, the healing power of the natural environment, the importance of caring, and intelligent leadership.
1. Smiles
Our facial expressions can reveal much more than words do. If the “eyes are the windows to the soul,” the mouth is the door to the world. Not seeing the mouth under the mask makes it hard to tell if a person is smiling or not. Anytime we smile, we invite others to explore the world with us. Smiles are contagious. They spread positive feelings, promote friendships, and build bridges. Wearing masks to protect us from spreading the virus changes the way we look, feel, and behave.
2. Human touch
Human touch is a language in itself. It’s one of the most effective ways to express love, compassion, empathy, gratitude, and it helps us develop trust and attachment. It is also a way to communicate by sending signals to release oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) and to reduce the effects of cortisol (the stress hormone). Physical touch is a proven way to stimulate our bodies’ natural ability to heal and thrive. It can be as simple as a firm handshake, a big hug, or a gentle kiss on a cheek.
3. Nature
Outdoors in the natural environment is the best and safest place to escape from feelings of confinement and isolation. Nature gives us a sense of space and freedom, which we crave during times of quarantine, social distancing, and working and studying from home. Parks, bike paths, hiking trails, lakes, and rivers become our gyms and fitness clubs with no memberships required. A deep breath of fresh air, the natural beauty of plants, and the soothing sound of wildlife offer us a remedy for internal balance, nervous- system regulation, as well as sending positive signals to all systems in our bodies.
4. Social Gatherings
We are born to socialize and make connections with others. We look forward to going out for happy hour with our coworkers where we make plans for a surprise birthday party for a close friend, watch a football game in a sports bar, or get together for a girl’s night out. Social gatherings serve as distractions from our responsibilities, worries, and life challenges. They also give us affirmation that we are not alone, we belong, and we are safe.
5. Breathing
We take twenty thousand breaths each day on average, but how often do we realize that? Our nervous system controls breathing and most of the time it happens automatically. However, we can control our breathing when we choose to do so. When we are in a “fight-or-flight” state (sympathetic), we breathe faster and shallow; when we “rest and digest” (parasympathetic), our breath becomes slower, smoother, and deeper. Wearing masks makes us more aware of how we breathe. Taking deep breaths under the masks might feel like a struggle at times, and when we are free to breathe without the face coverings, we feel relieved and encouraged to breathe deeply.
6. Self-care
Many of us have self-care routines that might include a regular hair cut appointment, manicure, a massage, dental cleaning, taking a fitness class, or using a gym. We have our favorite therapists, places where we get pampered, and exercise routines and facilities where we keep our bodies in good shape. The pandemic forced us to change how we go about our self-care practices. We had to become self-sufficient, more patient while waiting for the next hair appointment, and skip the pedicure altogether.
7. Nourishment
We might never forget the empty shelves and long lines in the grocery stores in March 2020. This situation has passed, but it doesn’t mean it will never come back. It is also a reminder that not everyone in the world has enough food to eat, including in this country. According to Aid Food Foundation, 821 million people each day were hungry before the pandemic. These numbers dramatically escalated due to the economic struggles many families had to face. Every bite we take is a privilege, and every piece of food we throw away can save someone else from starvation.
8. Leadership
During any kind of crisis or challenging situation on local, national, or global levels, it is crucial to have responsible and prudent leadership that unites people in an attempt to avoid miscommunication, chaos, and anarchy. True leaders put their egos and their personal goals aside to serve the people. We need clear directions based on facts, expertise, and experience. Trustworthy leadership helps maintain a state of calm, safety, security, and hope among individuals, organizations, and nations.
9. Going to school
Education is a right in the United States and many other countries around the world. But it is not the case everywhere. In many developing countries children have to sacrifice greatly in order to obtain a basic education. We are used to sending our kids to schools to learn, develop social skills, and become independent. Staying home and going to virtual “school” might sound like a good idea for a day or two, but youngsters start to miss traditional classroom experiences, direct contact with their teachers, being around their friends and peers, and getting out of the house.
10.Traveling
In recent years, we have enjoyed affordable air fairs, comfortable cars, and relatively low gas prices. We have taken road trips, visited relatives, traveled for work and school, and planned vacations to various destinations. Traveling has become part of the modern lifestyle, but in March 2020, we all hit the pause bottom because the pandemic changed our travel plans. Some of us still want to go places, but we now stay closer to home and decide to drive instead of fly. Many countries closed their borders to Americans due to the high number of Covid-19 cases that made international travel unfeasible.
Each day is an opportunity to learn, grow, and appreciate what we might be taking for granted. Recent events are challenging us to see the world and our lives through different lenses, and this helps us survive difficult times and thrive if we put a different value on things that matter the most. Even though we didn’t choose these challenges, perhaps they chose us. How we use them and what subsequent wisdom we acquire will affect our future and that of the world around us. Let’s pause, reflect, look at the big picture, and choose wisely.
Resources:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/201303/the-power-touch
https://www.ubwell4life.com/blog/2019/7/28/enjoying-nature-as-a-prescription-for-health
https://www.health.harvard.edu/lung-health-and-disease/learning-diaphragmatic-breathing
Breath: The New Science of a lost Art publication by James Nestor https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0735213615/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CLDYEIHPR4NZ&dchild=1&keywords=breath+the+science+of+a+lost+art&qid=1599762382&sprefix=Breath%3A+the+sicience+of+a%2Caps%2C179&sr=8-1
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/how-lungs-work
https://www.foodaidfoundation.org/world-hunger-statistics.html