A Global Social Experiment
These past few months, the word “unprecedented” is used more than ever. It feels surreal to experience all these massive changes in our social fabric and activities collectively. It brought to mind the plagues that happened during the middle ages that affected not only people’s health and mortality but also the socio-economic life. Today the world is so interconnected, and the plague will not only affect an area, a country, or a continent, but the whole world. We might not be in the same boat, but we are all in the
All of us are participating in this global social experiment. We are forced to taste how family life felt like for thousands of years before the industrial revolution. Most of people’s daily activities like working, schooling, dining and socializing were done at one’s own home, not decentralized at the offices, schools, malls, or cafes.
This new situation affects each person differently. I notice within these weeks of quarantine that some people are actually thriving while some people are getting depressed, even if their financial situations are not affected. Of course, if this situation is prolonged, it will affect all of us negatively, socially and economically.
For our family, this time together is an unexpected and precious gift. In our 17 years of marriage, never have we had this much togetherness. Our marriage life improves because of the amount of fun and leisure we can have together. My husband has always been busy with work and ministry. He always tried his best to squeeze in family time as effectively as he can in the evenings and weekends before the pandemic. Now he can have work time and family time intermingled throughout the day.
Father-daughters’ time also improves in quality and quantity. My husband’s heart is drawn closer to the girls because of the ample time they have together. He enjoys this time so much and honestly has a hard time imagining
But there is also the grim news of increasing divorce rate in China and Turkey amid lockdown. The change of family-life rhythm forces us to grapple with all the unresolved issues we have glossed over for some time. We cannot hide behind the excuses of busyness anymore. Everything will be more intensified and exacerbated. We can’t escape anywhere, and we don’t have a break. The relational pressures can be unbearable.
Our True Colors
I heard someone said that in a few months, we could begin to see people’s true hair colors since all the hair salons are closed. In truth, our true colors will also be revealed. During
This massive Covid-19 disruption puts some solitude and stillness into our lives and makes us think more about the future and the kind of life we want after this pandemic is over. Facing the fragility of life may challenge many of our life assumptions and goals. Some questions might arise:
- Do we really need that extra savings and investments for our future?
- Does orienting the whole family life for children’s education plan still worth the effort?
- What things or issues we always gravitate to or withdraw from regardless of the circumstances? It’s a clue of what our hearts truly hold dear.
- Is it time to pick up the phone, patch up and make up with the somewhat neglected, important relationships in our lives? Reconciliations in order, perhaps?
- What have we been spending or wasting a lot of time in before the pandemic? What changes do we need to make in our schedule if we are absolutely determined to be on course towards our goals?
- What is it in effect we are striving for? Is it freedom, security, excitement, a sense of empowerment, and joy? Reconsider the options of where and how to find them.
We are spending a lot of time with ourselves and our family and this precious time will reveal the values, virtues, and vices within we might not be aware of. We have a better understanding of our overall mental and emotional health, what lift us up and bring us down, how we function best, where our limits and saturated points are, how we respond to pressures and uncertainties, how stiff or flexible we are, the actual imperative and negotiable priorities in our lives, and our deep personality makeup irrespective of social expectations.
Pressures, changes, and crises also reveal the qualities of our closest relationships. They exacerbate, accelerate, and escalate the unhealthy parts. If we can overcome the strains, it will strengthen and give us more confidence in our relationships. The ample time together can also produce more understanding and appreciation towards each other.
Reset with a New Vision
Now that our life is less
distracted , everything can become so much clearer. With the added life pressures and the threats of uncertainties, a person’s essence that has been buried deep will flow out. It becomes intensified, magnifiedand observable. We can look into the conflicts and cravings within, and contemplate on the clues we find. If we are wise, we make some turns and adjustments.
As we comprehend our situations better, we can assess the changes required. Are our current goals and priorities worthy of our effort? Do we need to pivot? What are the crucial heart-works we need to focus on? Which relationships need mending and forgiveness? It is time to reflect and reevaluate. Our new revelations and perspectives are invaluable gifts to ourselves and our loved ones.
Covid-19 is a reset button for us all, for each individual, for the nations, and for the earth. This is the Sabbath we don’t expect. Maybe someday, in hindsight, we will understand why God allows this to happen. For now, let us take this opportunity to consider our life as a clean slate again, and suppose our schedule as a blank canvas, only put in the most worthy goals, the most important priorities, and the God-given life missions. Declutter the distractions that have been gnawing our attention and energy for so long.
Let us do this before life gets too busy and complicated again. A fast-paced life blurred our vision, Covid-19 gives us a wonderful rare chance to slow down and to see more clearly. Perhaps God wants to take this time to reveal His visions, and for us to recalibrate our lives accordingly.
Cassie Douglas says
Yes! What an opportunity for us all to reset and re-examine our priorities!
sofiatjiptadjaja says
Yes, Cassie. Thank you for your affirmation. I see that you have also shared the added benefits of this Covid19 disruption at your blog. 🙂 https://cassielynndouglas.com/using-disruption-to-pivot/
Daisy says
good reflection soft… time to reset and re-examine our priorities. God help me!
sofiatjiptadjaja says
Yes, Daisy. It’s also a great time to pursue those hobbies of reading, cooking, baking, painting, and other common arts that we hadn’t had time to do before to refresh our souls. 🙂
Kristin says
“In truth, our true colors will also be revealed. During normal business time, we can sense some glimpses of our inner selves. But in this unique situation of our lifetime, we are compelled to stare long and deep into who we really are, into our essence.”
Loved this quote! It really is true…like Todd White says, “When we are squeezed as a Christian, Christ is what should come out.” I have been more and more aware of the ways I have coped and avoided the harder conversations. But it is in the dirty depth where we grow. Thanks for writing.
sofiatjiptadjaja says
Thanks for sharing, Kristin! I really enjoyed your post about “Zoom Call or Face to Face with God?” So true! https://kristinfieldschadwick.com/2020/04/21/zoom-call-or-face-to-face/