COVID-19 & The Basin of Attention
This is the first time our modern world has experienced a global threat (not of our own making like war, that is.) It’s normal to experience fear in the face of such uncertainty and changes in the rhythms of daily life. The human brain is able to hold only a small amount of information in conscious attention which is designed to pay attention to the world on a need-to-know-basis, and that assumes tomorrow will look mostly like today.
Musings on what to say to someone who is ill, etc...
Tough things happen to good people all the time. It comes with being human (and not the absolute master of the universe, unfortunately). In the face of those times, courage, compassion, and connection to understanding supporters are important resources. Bert Hellinger had a saying that basically went like this: “People come seeking comfort when what they really need is courage.” I find that maintaining a positive attitude and maintaining courage are holding me in good stead. And, I have access to excellent medical care and insurance. (Thank you, former President Obama!)