It has often been said that it will take a cataclysmic event to bring the world together. That only through disparity, struggles and extreme hardship will people actually come together with a common thread of love, peace, selflessness and upliftment. In 2020, we experienced the beginning of the Covid Pandemic. This disease is not selective towards gender, race, wealth, or any individual characteristic. It attacks people and deteriorates their health irrespective. Yet despite this ruthless obstacle which has crippled economies, shut down countries, and isolated people for extended time frames, there needs to be something positive which blossoms from the depths of despair. There needs to be some sort of change that occurs in the human consciousness.
As an elementary school teacher, I have experienced firsthand the many changes that the pandemic has inflicted on us. Lost days of school, remote learning, constant mask wearing which hides the smiles and joys of communication, endless hand washing, no gatherings, no school events, and foremost, a learning environment that no longer encourages experiential student-led learning activities, but rather instills an isolated, independent work environment with limited interaction and no physical touching. Yet despite these negative changes of natural living, I have also become much more aware of a constructive depth and consciousness of life and living.
None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Whether by illness, accident, or merely the vessel succumbing to the sands of time, we will all pass on from this existence one day. The question that must then be asked is… How will we be remembered? Are our bags packed and ready for what lies beyond? This life and living is temporal. Every moment is precious and should be spent bettering our immediate world, helping those with lesser, and striving to become the best person that we can be. Has our life had purpose? Have we made a positive impact on those around us? Have we lived a life of conviction of Truth? Have we Loved freely and unconditionally? Have we forgiven those who have wronged us? Or do we carry the burdens of others? Have we made peace with our mortality, and established our connection of Love, Hope, and Faith with the Creator so that we can return from where we came? How have we spent our time in isolation from this pandemic? Have we become lonely, depressed and negative? Or have we taken the time to search within ourselves to find out who we are, what we aspire for, and how we can be a beacon of Light for those around us? Have we used our Free Will and Choice to uplift and build? Or to break down and destroy? These are all questions that we need to ask ourselves now, while we still have breath and Grace.
Darkness is merely the absence of Light, Love, Hope, and Faith. If we do not consistently replenish and strengthen our Light within, it will inevitably go out, and leave us in a spiral of disparity, loneliness, fear, doubt, anguish and absence. Wealth and things unto the natural cannot fuel our humanity or our living of Purpose. Material wealth will come and go. But what remains with us always is our compassion, empathy, love, and our innate ability to reconnect with our humanity and make a difference in the world around us. It takes one small gesture of Hope to create and ignite a ripple effect in the world around us. Kindness costs nothing.
I will leave you with this one final thought. The mind can be a dangerous place when left lingering amidst free and idol time. Especially during these times of struggle, isolation and uncertainty. What is it that you keep your mind busy with? Are you giving in to the mundane boundaries created by the pandemic? Or are you utilizing each grateful breath of life to build up and change your immediate world for the better? Life is not measured by what we acquire unto the natural, but by how we can Light our world around us through our Humanity and Giving back to those with lesser, and those in need of Love, Hope and Faith. We need ask ourselves… What have we done with our time given? And what will we do with our time that is left? For me, this self-discovery unlocked a new understanding of the magnitude and importance of living a selfless life, and freely becoming a vessel and instrument to help ignite the Light that is so deeply needed during these times of uncertainty.
Kelly E. de Jongh
Kelly is a co-founder, humanitarian and regular contributor to the Earth Community Blog. Hailing from Massachusetts, USA, and after a successful 11 year modern dance career in New York, she began her journey as a dance teacher and educator in Lake County, Florida to rural Japan. She is a passionate advocate for giving back to those in need, and is an integral part of Earth Community as its Outreach Ambassador.
“It takes the kindness of one soul to create a ripple effect and uplift the lives of others.”