Are you Zoomed out yet?
After the first few weeks of the pandemic, many of us felt that way. But the pandemic went on, and we still longed for connection and learning, and for some us, we found that there were some advantages to this strange new online world. It gave us access to teachers and teachings we might never have been able to experience before, at least not without great expense and time investment.
And it turned out, we CAN connect online. Not in the same way, surely. We can’t touch each other, and that matters. But our brains and bodies are incredibly sophisticated sensing instruments. If someone reaches out a hand to us on a video screen, we can FEEL their reach toward us. All the old physiological cues still work, if we take the time to give them visibility and expression.
We are also noticing the interesting advantages of doing meaningful work and learning from our homes. Instead of having to go someplace where we’ve never “nested” before, we are doing vulnerable activities from our own nests, where we’ve created safe places for ourselves over years, perhaps. The people we are doing the work with are in their homes, as well, so we are almost more able to go to new territory with more courage than before.
Obviously, there are losses as well. For my own part, if I don’t get a hug soon, I may explode! Our bodies need physical touching, not just emotional connection. We also may be living in places where, frankly, we are having too MUCH intimacy with our families, or may not even be fully safe. We bow to this reality, and hopefully can get creative with our self-care.
In the meantime, we are discovering what it REALLY means to connect, now, in a time when we are deprived of it and need it more than ever. This is one of the pandemic’s harsh gifts.
For instance, with joy I watched Hamilton twice last month, FINALLY seeing what everyone has been talking about! I’ve also laughed like crazy at local comedy shows, and cried watching a stunning performance from NYC’s Public Theater performing the experience of New York doctors, nurses and other first responders from this spring. I’ve participated in a wide variety of government, non-profit and mutual assistance meetings online, creating connections I’ve never had before, making me a better citizen. And when all that got too disembodied, I’d go back into nature. (See the pictures from my backpacking trips into the Sierra this summer.)
Every few weeks, I also continue to gather a group to connect doing Family Constellations work online. We do miss the ways in which our bodies used to interact when we were in a room together. But the Knowing Field remains present; we can all feel the desire of our Family Souls to re-experience the free flow of love once again; and when a resolution lands for us, and a system is feeling safe, our bodies know it. We all leave with the gifts of letting go, hopefulness, and empowerment.
Similarly, my private sessions with clients continue. A few clients missed the personal interaction too much to continue, but for most, they are so relieved to be able to be seen, acknowledged, and helped forward from the convenience of their own homes.
You are warmly welcome to attend these constellation events (only $10!), or to consider one-on-one work if you are needing help. We are all adjusting, equipping ourselves for the long haul, and finding new ways to be of service to each other.
How are you finding ways to connect, online and off? Share your stories on my blog, below….
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