Just Thinking - Change & The Virus

The coronavirus challenges our ideas of acceptance of change. It has turned our lives upside down and brought half the planet into a lockdown. We are encouraged as a rule to make the most of change, but did we expect to be hit by this?

Transcript

So this is what change means.

I heard it was good to learn to accept change,

To embrace it,

Even enjoy it,

So it was said.

Change is inevitable,

It's impossible to resist,

So better to go with the flow since you must.

But this.

.

.

I never expected this.

Social distancing,

No handshakes,

No hugs.

Work from home if you can,

If you still have a job.

And the debts,

So many debts.

And it's everywhere.

I never expected this sort of change.

And if I get out and you too,

How will I know you have had it and will you not get it again?

Do we need thermometers to check one another out?

And me?

I haven't had it,

I don't think.

And can we shake hands?

Hug?

I don't mean go to bed together,

Just chat.

Can we chat safely?

And if you give me a present,

Have I to disinfect it?

And then disinfect the table?

And then wash my hands?

And then dry the towel?

And then wash the towel?

I mean,

Just what can we do and when?

Will the pubs open again?

And if we go for a few beers,

Can we chat and have a laugh,

Just like before,

Face to face I mean?

I thought I believed in change.

I even thought I loved it.

Change for its own sake even,

But this?

Will this change as well?

Everything does so,

This must change too I suppose.

It just needs time they say.

And can we change and go back?

I mean even a little way back,

To the way things were,

Before the virus.

Reviews

I thought I would listen to this even though it’s now 2025 and I’m glad that I did. It was a good reminder of what it was like, the uncertainty and fear. . Perhaps is a good time to do a follow up, we made it through there have been some long lasting changes. Still in my neighborhood we hug and we eat together. Now we have new and scary challenges. Thanks for your insights, Tony.

Oh, my... Now, on the other side, we're still experiencing changes caused by the pandemic. This talk brought me back to all of the fear and anxiety of 3 years ago and how I've learned to have more acceptance of life's unpredictability. I now know, "this, too, shall pass." 🌺🙏💝

It’s August 6 th 2022 and I am listening to this meditation. My husband and I have done everything we can to not get this virus. We finally flew to see family. We had on our masks ( many many others did not).
We cleaned our area on the plan with disinfectant wipes, and as soon as we got to our destination we ended up with the virus. So we had to quarantine for most of our trip. Then ended coming home a week early because others were afraid to be near us even after we tested negative.
This change is not normal. And there is always going to be yet another veritable of the virus. People are tired therefore the spread will keep going.
I’m frustrated that it’s now 2 years and how much longer must this go?
We live away from the city and it’s usually just the two of us. I had an eye opener when we were gone from our safe place. This virus is not going away. That’s terrifying. I only hope everyone still do their part to keep safe, and help keep others safe as well. We are tired but we need st stay strong.
Stay safe be well Tony. Blessings 🙏🏻💕

What we know well now Tony is Uncertainty.
I wish for you and Fran and your family to stay safe and well. ✨😷✨💝✨

I miss hugs the most. Change is hard but impermanence is always constant. Thanks again Tony. ☮️💖🙏☘️

Tony, I respect the seriousness of The Virus ...
But I fear more the social and economic impact. I miss friendly eye contact at the grocery store. One day at a time. Today was okay. Thank you for this offering.

Thought provoking!

But this???
Amen!

Dear Tony
I just want to send you warm good wishes at this time .
Your thoughts are I m sure what is going through so many minds at the moment .
I hope though you are remaining well and know you make a big difference to so many

Thank you Tony, for putting my feelings into words and helping me feel them.

Thank you Tony. So real, so accurate. Questions we ask daily. Sending you a virtual hug 🤗.

Stay safe Tony big hugs from Hong Kong 🇭🇰🌟

God bless you, Tony! 🙏🏻

Brought up my own grief. Hoping for a sequel to this with some resolution built-in.

I never expected this, either. It seems like the Twilight Zone, if you remember the old TV series. I hope this has a good ending.

Tony, sending you blessings. In time everything will pass and in time, this too will pass. I have this reminder written on a post it note for myself here. Thanks for sharing your kind words of reflection. May you soon enjoy all these interactions again. Hope you and yours are safe and well. Namaste 🙏

Going to spend a few moments with the rawness of this. Venceremos, Tony

Man I hear you on this one! It gets so exhausting trying to remember what we did or didn’t wash. This invisible lurking enemy is wearing us down at times.
I, too, wish it would just go away. Honestly. Change is good, to a point, but we’ve gone beyond that point. However, I keep thinking about how the earth is regenerating in so many places, how animals are recovering worldwide and my heart rejoices!! The sky is do blue here - even more than normal. We have no industry up here and we’re 85 miles from the largest town, so it’s usually clean and blue- until they start spraying poison across the skies.
So yes, change is a double edged ⚔️ sword, but I’m rejoicing in the really amazing changes happening world wide.
🌷🌳🌲🦋💐🌿🌱🌸🦏🦍🦧🐘🐋🦈🐆🐅🐙🦂🦀🦋🐛💖🙏🏽🦋🌸🐾

Thanks for your introspective thought Tony. Life has forever changed. I also pray that eventually we can go back to our ages old customs and traditions. Stay safe.

This too shall pass. Growing pains. Impermanence. Thank you for being here for us Tony. We are here for you❤️