Swallowtail fully emerged from chrysalis, March 2020
So far this Spring, at our home, we witnessed the hatching of two swallowtail butterflies, abundant blossoms, and more birds in both variety and number than we have ever seen in our backyard. The air is cleaner and nature blooms.
Lilac wisteria and lilies in abundance at Santa Clara University
In stark contrast to these signs of spring, the month of April 2020 in the Bay Area promises more of the same: cool, overcast weather, Shelter in Place, minimal travel and contacts outside the home, shopping for essentials only (the lines at the grocery store should shorten), no new hires apart from Amazon warehouse operations and supermarket cashiers, and a daily mounting death toll.
Grim news. The many detractors of lockdown living — cabin fever, no personal space, a deficit of wifi connectivity, increasing waist lines and decreasing cardiovascular fitness, and boredom — may intensify.
Thus the question arises, how do we remain fruitful during this test of character? The coronavirus scourge is a test of character.
Too much screen time?
Don’t get me wrong: I empathize with restrictions placed upon our lives. We cannot meetup over cappuccino for a friendly conversation, our Spring Break getaway is cancelled, virtual worship is not the same as physical worship, the gym, track and pool are closed, we may need to ration the use of toilet paper, and we spend inordinate hours staring at backlit screens for work and entertainment. Yet the paradox is this: Nature is now resplendent in fruitfulness, we are not; what is the disconnect?
Empty gym and pool — how I miss them!
Fruitfulness during lockdown is a test of character. Do I discipline myself to focus on productivity and creativity? Can I keep calm when craziness erupts all around me? When the market crashes and my life savings evaporate; When fear of contamination stalks the streets; When nothing and no-one seems safe anymore? We face an immense amount of fear.
“IF …” by Rudyard Kipling. Originally written as advice from a father to his son, this poem applies to us all.
With our balmy climate, easy going populace and overall abundance, we seldom confront severe life tests in California (and I have lived all over the world). What are some tips to Fruitfulness in coronavirus times?
Accommodate. Ensure that those around you - families, roomies, spouses - have what they need in terms of space, supplies and activities. Looking to their needs is the prerequisite for harmony. This doesn’t mean you endorse disruptive behavior. On the contrary, if others need to learn self-discipline then creatively teach, train and demonstrate until they acquire those skills. Aim for unity, always remain calm.
Be organized. Be clear about what your priorities are and have set times to fulfill them. Organize your space and time, at first check in frequently with others and then make adjustments — we are in this for the next month or more. Upfront organizing, of both time and space, reaps rewards.
Celebrate! Celebrate life by singing and offering a prayer of Thanksgiving. Celebrate by preparing a special, candlelight meal with those you love. Celebrate by enjoying the emergent outdoors — we walk daily outdoors in the empty streets. Celebrate by planning future, rewarding events. Celebrate by noting in your journal or memory bank this singular time when God gave you this opportunity to … (you fill in the blanks).
Learning to happily ‘Shelter-in-Place.’
God has given us this opportunity for a reason. Make the most of it!