Who’d have thought, such a short time ago when we were happily welcoming in a brand new decade – that less than 3 months later the whole world would be gripped by a pandemic such as we have not seen in our lifetimes. COVID-19 has brought our lifestyles to a sudden halt. Now we are required to self-isolate; social distancing is mandatory and we are confined to our household bubbles. All in the quest to defeat a virus which is causing widespread illness and death across the globe. Many countries medical services have been overwhelmed as they struggle to keep up with the number of seriously ill patients presenting for help.

The number of cases and the rising death toll across the world is causing much anxiety and financial hardship – as businesses are forced to close and whole industries are grinding to a halt. People are losing their jobs and their livelihoods. However one medium seems to be thriving – social media. Technology has created the platform for people to connect even though they are isolated at home.

Here in North Canterbury I attend an online Nia dance class which was previously only conducted in-person. It now has attendees joining from the US and Europe. Our previously small community has now expanded dramatically as people look beyond their country borders to join in activities which provide them joy and connection. It is clearly evident that regardless of creed or culture, the joy and unity found in dancing together transcends borders. That despite the physical distance between us all there is a sense of coming together as one, and in these moments we find our common ground.

Communion, communication and community are all closely related. When real communication takes place people can't help but come together, this is when communion happens. When the bonds between individuals in a community are strong there often develops an intuitive awareness of the needs of others and this extends to people openly supporting each other. The positive energy both created and released at these times is expressed in many ways that enhances our collective wellbeing.

When we discover this common ground, the real meeting can take place; for in meeting others we meet ourselves – it is a meeting of our minds and of our souls, and through these meetings it is possible to nourish ourselves and others. In these interactions we are not giving up our personal freedoms, it is through these connections we are more able to experience what is personally dear to all of us - the experience of real knowledge, love and enduring happiness. This communion encourages connection of all kinds, and at the core of this communion is love. Love for ourselves and each other, and a recognition of our collective unity.

I’m hopeful that some of the discoveries we have each made about ourselves, as we have striven to manage enforced isolation, aren’t lost in the rush to return to normal when the restrictions are lifted. When these new realisations are made there is a shift in our consciousness – we now view life differently. There might be new appreciation for simple pleasures, or for what we hold dear to us – some may even embark on major life changes – changing jobs to those which better align to new personal values, and maybe even taking a critical review of their relationships with others. Asking which of them nurture and which of them deplete energy. Through any major life experience change occurs – it is up to each of us to make the change a positive force to enable beneficial growth.

If you want some help to discover where you might find your common ground, or to face your new normal, then give me a call!