A Locking & An Opening

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]." - 2 Tim 1:7

Technology and virtual relationships during lockdown! We have a love/hate relationship. There have been times I have hated the invasion of technology to the peace in my home and then there have been times it has been the only way to bring peace in my home. Love it or hate it: it has been a life-saver.

I quickly discovered the joy of the mute button on Zoom. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to say what I feel with absolutely no thought or filters. Muted Zoom has given me the freedom to sit in meetings and say what I think. No-one else in the Zoom meeting hears me. I know my body language says a lot and I am sure some people can lip read, but there has been a freedom of expression without offending.

Let’s talk about that camera. The camera that took us into people’s homes and private spaces. The camera that allowed me to cry with my siblings one hour after my mother passed away. The camera that took me to my father’s world of deep pain and confusion. The camera that allowed people around the world attend my mother’s committal service that was physically only attended by 4 and virtually by hundreds. The camera that allowed me to see my grandkids building Duplo and reaching milestones. The camera that allowed me to meet people from different walks of life with the same passion to save our nation and our world. But another great feature of that camera is it could be switched off. When I just wanted that privacy, when I did not want the world to see my pain or that I was wearing a onesie at 10 in the morning.

Virtual living has allowed me to have meals with those far away, cry with those mourning, be sung to so I can be reassured it is well with my soul, attend concerts I have dreamt of attending, be part of groups that would never be physically possible, read books together and be part of meetings that I know could change history.

But lock-down has also allowed me to remove myself from the world and to just totally enjoy being with ME. Finding my pace, finding my peace, finding my largeness when I feel so small and insignificant, listening to my inner music and allowing myself to dance to the rhythm of the beat.

Lock down has been a paradox. A locking and an opening. A confinement and a freedom. A joy and a pain. A hurricane and a silent stillness.

My goal for 2020 was to have 2020 vision. Little did we know the virtual life we would enter into in 2020. I honestly though that vision was for little me doing my little bit in Africa. For the first time ever I suddenly saw the global effect of one single person. This is truly 2020 vision. Questions to ponder on:

• Have you found ways to adapt your goals for 2020 to align with a time of lockdown?

• What has your relationship been like with virtual communication?

• Have you been able to find that place of peace in the eye of the storm?