The days of revealing change, fear, news, and vulnerability have come. Many of these reveals have arrived in recent weeks as the Covid-19 pandemic worsened. It made me wonder if there were people in this world that hadn’t heard of Covid-19? Public safety warnings can be seen everywhere. While driving today, I noticed that even the electronic signs on the interstate are reminding us, “Public safety is in your hands, wash them often.” I would venture to say the Covid-19 pandemic is the most publicized event of my lifetime, and it may be the event that will have the most significant impact on society and the economy as a whole.
In the last 20 years, we have seen how vulnerable we are in the United States. 9/11 brought forth our vulnerability in security and safety. The economic recession brought about our vulnerability in financial security. Now Covid-19 has brought forward our vulnerability in our health care and medical technology. With each event, we see changes in the world, and our fears are exposed.
In a post last year I wrote about vulnerability. During those days, I was thinking about how we need to be vulnerable to be at our best. Vulnerability is difficult, but in the Covid-19 pandemic case, it is even more difficult. We are all trying to understand the best way to cope, to act, and to live. We have seen bravery in our medical professionals and service workers while these brave people maintain our daily lives with food and necessities. These acts of bravery leave the givers vulnerable to the virus and mental strains of working in a high-risk environment. The world’s people are at the peak of their vulnerability. Where will the vulnerability take us?
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” ~ Brené Brown
Brené Brown made this statement as it applies to open up as a person. Still, the statement applies to our current environment also. Innovation and creativity are blossoming. People are assisting others and finding new ways to help without organizing in large crowds. Our children are beginning to learn in a more self-directed and virtual form. Families are thriving as they spend more time together. People are finding different ways to connect, learn, and thrive, and the other side of this pandemic will look and feel different.
- We may see fewer jobs in offices.
- We may see more on-line school.
- We may see different jobs arise.
- We may decide that life running from event to event is not that beneficial.
- We may see more “screening” in our daily lives.
One thing I know won’t change is that we won’t cease to connect. We are meant to be social beings. We will find ways to continue to be connected, even if it requires change and adaptation.
Vulnerability is difficult, but it is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change. Keep caring for people. Keep doing what is right for you and your family. We will come out of this with new ways to be connected.
Our days of revealing have not come to an end. So, stay healthy and consider vulnerability as a step to change. Please share your thoughts because an interactive audience enables learning for us all.
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Related Posts: June 2019 Post on Vulnerability
Consider This Thought 