This year is going to be a 2020! Perhaps many of us would prefer not to repeat this phrase soon. And many other words from this year. Words have a way
Stay safe is the new goodbye
Don’t get us wrong. We like our new greetings. Yet, conversations today abound with phrases like, ‘Have you got yourself tested?’ to ‘I think I’m having a blursday’. If you think you’re the only one who forgets which day the world is on, you’re not alone. How about we add a little tail to some words, and lessen their baggage?
1) Stay safe: Staying safe is more about staying true to one’s nature, and enlivening those values that make us human. Stay happy, stay healthy, and above all, be in wisdom. Life, itself, is the greatest teacher, and 2020 has lent different lessons for us all.
2) Social distancing: Keep a physical distance but stay socially connected. Wearing a mask and keeping a distance doesn’t stop us from connecting with people - old friends, new neighbors, and even foes. After all, everyone needs a little kindness, especially now.
3) Self-isolate: You’re lucky. You’re getting a lot of time to spend with yourself. It’s a holiday, after all. As Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar says, “Book yourself to a place where everything is beautiful! That place is within you! Wherever you go after that, you will add beauty.” So, make the period of self-isolation a beautiful period of growth, and nurturing.
4) Mask-shaming: How many times have we heard, “Why are you wearing a mask?”, or been berated for not wearing one? How about we remember to change or, better yet, drop the masks we often wear? Drop those masks woven from guilt, fear, pride, or anger and just be your natural self with people.