Last week I wrote about social vs physical distancing.
This week I’m asking you to think about the ways assumptions and pre-judgment are sneaking into your actions and feelings during this pandemic.
When we are stressed, or afraid, we tend to default to what we know.
The impact of fear
I’ve been observing the impact of fear on my body, and on my interactions with others in the past week: tightness, not able to relax, disconnection – emotionally and physically, falling into a rabbit hole and not seeing the bigger picture, being “snippy” in my responses. These are just some of the ways I have noticed that fear impacts me and how I engage with the world. Not a place from which to build awareness, belonging or community. Can you relate?
Who is running the show?
Also (and as usual) assumptions, stereotypes and prejudice will sneak in and take us out if we are not careful. In a meditation last week by Deepak Chopra I heard him say that our subconscious runs much of the show and that the information in that part of our mind is taught. Hello unconscious bias. Who are you staying away from and how are you making exceptions for – and why? Just notice.
Here’s a personal example: Two weeks ago as I walked through the city to a meeting, I found myself walking behind someone of Asian descent. I was a good distance away (as per public health rules) and yet I still found myself crossing the street. WTF?! It wasn’t rational. But I did it anyway.
Awareness…
As we hear and read stories online, and hear how some people are referring to COVID19 in reference to China, let’s work to be aware of the impact and implications of assumptions, stereotypes and prejudice on the lives of individual people.
These are not theories, they affect people’s lives.
See more.
(c) Annemarie Shrouder 2020
www.annemarieshrouder.com
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