Was so close I could taste it. Thirteen more days until 2020 would seem behind us all. One week until Christmas. One day until I had my family Christmas. Two days until I flew out to tropical far North Queensland. I was organised. I was ready. I was pumped.
But then it happened…. The F*ckening…
I know so many people have been terribly affected. Loss of loved one’s. The inability to see overseas and/or interstate family. Restrictions on visiting vulnerable loved one’s. It really has been one hell of a year.
I had ridden the rollercoaster of turbulence, more than once and almost fell out a few times. Resilience is a funny thing it pushes you to pull yourself up and put yourself back together, even when all you see is darkness. But my lights were on. I was celebrating success. I was lovingly looking forward to seeing my family and I was almost packed in excited anticipation to jump on a plane and in the bountiful land of tropical weather, lychee martinis, delicious food and amusing entertainment- I was ready to very much enjoy a well earned break.
But alas that was not to be…
At 11pm last night the Queensland Premier brought in travel restrictions for those of us residing on the Northern Beaches- the newly deemed “COVID hotspot”. If I travelled there I would be forced into mandatory two week isolation at my own cost. My holiday was now not happening. With my mum’s volatile health it was decided unwise and unsafe to see them, so my family Christmas was cancelled. Both my kids live an hour away so I spent a very restless night thinking I would not see them either, however, we will assess this daily.
I’ve been living alone for two years now and I am busy, active and fulfilled and have grown so much in my experience living alone. But this last 24hrs, I admit feels like the rug has been pulled out from under me. Living by myself for the most part is great, however, the prospect of a lockdown and being isolated from family and friends, did put me in a momentary tailspin. I’m not embarrassed to admit I shed a few tears, well maybe more than a few. I was humbled by an outpouring of kindness and generosity, with at least 5 work colleagues living close-by inviting me to their place for Christmas celebrations knowing my plans were now thwarted and lockdown may become stricter, it very much warmed my heart.
But as with everything in my life, I took a few deep breaths and wondered what the Universe was trying to teach us? What are we all supposed to learn from this? What can I take from this? In that moment, I put on my big girl pants, calmed myself and started pulling the positives out of this situation. For me I will miss out on a lot, but I will now have a few extra weeks to enable me to write and get well ahead in my course. Yes I am disappointed and a little sad as I really wanted to enjoy some time with my family and drink those lychee martinis, by the pool in far North Queensland but the reality is there’s nothing we can do about it. Far North Queensland will still be there when this thing is under control.
For everyone residing in the hotspot, or who have visited venues in the hotspot, the lessons are clear! Act with selflessness rather than selfishness, as yes, you may want to see those friends/family or take that trip but ultimately your decision affects all of us- so respect everyone. Act with compassion and integrity, everyone has varying degrees of disappointment and nobody wants restrictions so close to Christmas and whether you agree or disagree/believe or do not believe, selfish behaviour is only going to extend these restrictions or possibly even tighten them so let’s think of others and not just ourselves.
What I find interesting is the Company I work for stopped many of our workers that work in the “hotpot” but do not reside there, from coming to work today and sent them to work closer to their home. Now these people have been in close contact with hundreds of people from the “hotspot” areas for weeks. It seems counterproductive to now send these people to work in another areas outside the “hotspot” when there is always the potential they have been infected! On this note, also these people can travel over some state borders as they don’t reside in the hotspot regardless of the fact they have come into contact with hundreds of people from the “hotspot”. I do reside about 30 minutes from the main “hotspot” but I work from home so have had less contact with people but am now all but locked down. I just find this approach a little bizarre.
In any case this is 2020 and the world we live in. Let the lessons of this Pandemic teach us that the world is far bigger than us and that we need to take care of our planet and everything in it. Let it teach us more compassion. Let it teach us more gratitude. Let it teach us more kindness. Most of all let it teach us that Governments and health authorities do not always get it right ,but we as caring, responsible and respectful human beings need to make a conscious decision to get it right for ourselves and others and that sometimes we need to look at the bigger picture and think of what is best for everyone. Omit the energy you would like to receive.
Always remember the Universe will keep throwing the lessons at us until we learn what is supposed to be learnt. If people continue to be selfish, uncaring and irresponsible, we will keep getting kicked up the ass until we learn to be selfless, caring and responsible. It really is not that hard to think about the implications that your actions may cause, to not only yourself but everyone else.
Best wishes everyone x
Find Your Inner Goddess 