As we continue to find our way with COVID-19, we are now, or soon will be, in the next phase: re-opening. For many, what began as anxiety around uncertainty has turned into grief around sustained losses and new worries around re-engaging in life. As the next phase unfolds, it is so important to take stock within ourselves of what has emerged as benefits, insights and positive changes that we can into our life moving forward, creating our own “New Normal”. Equally important is how we work with others in regard to re-opening decisions. This can be very challenging when there are differences of opinion, be it within a relationship, between family members and even within a community. With this challenge, however, comes the opportunity to practice respect, curiosity and receptivity as we honor “diversity of perspective”. And while this can sound great as an ideal, it can be especially tricky around concerns of safety.
In River to Ocean: Living in the Flow of Wakefulness, Aspect Seven: Conscious Relationships, I offer a tool around collaboration. It is a simple but powerful 4 step process provided below, with an example of wearing a mask or not in public where it is not mandated. Differences between ourselves and others on any scale can be served by a collaborative approach so I encourage you to give it a try, whether it is about the pandemic or not.
- Name the Difference (Example: You don’t want to wear a mask when we walk together and I want us to do so since we live together)
- Find Common Ground…this can help make what seems like a vast river of difference feel more like a creek. It is important here to not play to position but instead provide what you can around what resonates with you in the other person’s perspective. (Example: I offer that freedom is important to me also and you offer that safety matter to you too)
- Explore Options….get creative and make sure to come up with as many as you can (Example: 1. No masks- same route 2. Masks- same route 3. New route that is isolated without masks 4. New masks that work/fit better- same route 5. Shorter walk with masks- same route 6. Wait to walk together
- Pick an Option….now it is time to choose an option that works for both people and try it out. It is a great idea to circle back to see how it went.
If you like the idea of having relationship tools and have not already picked up a copy of River to Ocean, click https://harborglowpublishing.com/river-to-ocean-the-book if you would like to do so.
I want to also share that I have been invited back as a guest to a few podcasts to continue the conversation around contending with and emerging from COVID-19. These follow-up interviews will air soon. If it sounds like something that would be helpful, you can find them on this website https://harborglowpublishing.com/podcast-interviews or go to the podcasts directly: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-powers-project/id1489524728 , https://www.dickgoldbergradio.com/ or https://www.davepamah.com/. In future posts, I will be bringing pieces of those conversations forward to you.
Until then, take good, good care,
Katherine