Negative or positive...depends on the mindset you choose

Produce from the garden

 

     

The painting on the Dairy

This year certainly has been challenging on many levels for all of us in the “western dominated world countries” as we have been forced to face up to the uncertainty that third world nations have lived with for a very long time...look for example at the challenges for so many African people’s...hepatitis, malaria, HIV, Ebola diseases and even worse starvation and war with all the violence that comes with that state.....now Covid -19 just to add more problems to the mix.

In NZ and elsewhere we can witness how media manipulate and exacerbate fear and politicians using that same fear to control and regulate their citizens. 

Even more unsettling for me observing this years events is witnessing also people’s reaction  to Covoid-19 and seeing not only the acceptance by those citizens at the loss of their freedoms, but seeing the emotional condemnation of any citizens who don’t accept this loss of freedom or control ,,,, in fact these people are criticized as being “selfish” or “non-caring of others”. 

What about the racism, sexual discrimination, suicides', violence and other issues around us that continue even while the Covid-19 virus sweeps around the globe. These are real issues and concerns for everyone but somehow they have slipped down the news media radar for now and over the months of the "lock-downs" here in NZ and elsewhere.

I have watched and been part of “ lock-downs” which have caused huge economic disruption and will have far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, communities and nations for some time in the future...but also are a reminder if the vulnerability of this global trading network, the fragile supply chains and lack of self sufficiency at many levels in our capitalist economies.

The positives for me coming out of 2020 are the greater sense of community, the valuing of close relationships, an awareness of human vulnerability, greater flexibility in work spaces-ie the ability to work at home, seeing the need to have a connection with nature, time and space to reflect on what is really important in ones life.  

 

The situation is fluid and uncertain. For many this uncertainty is fearful and confusing. I see it as merely "change" and "change" in my book is a constant of life and guaranteed to be part of everyone's life. Not being able to plan a trip away overseas. Not being able to just pop on a plane for a trans-tasman meeting. 

Not being able to move freely even in ones own country. Seeing friends and family getting sick or perhaps dying from a virus that spread's so quickly and that does not discriminate on who is infected, sometimes fatally,  All of these things are part of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

New terms or phrases not previously used commonly or at all have come into current usage and understanding in almost every language-contact tracing, hand sanitizer, bubble, lock-down, face-mask, protective clothing,  isolation and quarantine and more.....  The panacea or cure that it seems everyone is pinning their hopes on to solve the pandemic "problem" is a "vaccine" or rather one of the many vaccines that have quickly been scientifically developed, tested and introduced to "combat Covid-19.

For me here in NZ it all seems a little unreal in one sense even though here like elsewhere we were locked down and vulnerable people infected with the virus died. This is because our government acted quickly taking advantage of our isolated island state, stopping the virus spreading through contact tracing, lock-down and border quarantine and control. Other than face masks on transportation and isolation/quarantine hotel facilities for all returning residents that enter our country life in NZ goes on much the same. Unfortunately however the tourist industry has lost most of its cliental, farms are struggling to find labour and some supply chains have been disrupted, all of which point to the globalisation of national economies.  

Meanwhile I wake every day looking at the lack of rain in my area and my dying garden. 

I worry about the lack of water in rivers, springs and aqueducts. 

I think about the other life forms under stress and dying from the drought conditions. 

To me Covid-19 is just the media bla bla bla-ing each day as overseas problems are discussed ad nauseum. 

I see this virus as yet another problem facing a human world who are disconnected from the earth and their miniscule place within nature itself. 

We are expendable and the sooner we see our distraction and obsession with Covid-19 as irrelevant really in a world governed by nature and out of our control the better we are to accept the continuing change around us. There will be more virus's emerge. There will be more "climate" related challenges to face.

Blessings on everyone and remember you are part of nature not in control of it. Accept with humility your place on this planet as an expendable species, live in the now and be grateful for everything you are given.  

Tane Mahuta-King of the Forest and much older than us