Rural Living During A Lockdown

I should start by saying I feel truly blessed! As the world goes into lockdown and shops are emptied of all essential items as if preparing for famine, I am sitting in the park getting some fresh air and much needed vitamin D.

Life is pretty much normal in my rural valley. People are walking their dogs, popping into the cafes to grab a takeout, taking a stroll and enjoying the quietness that is the norm of my hometown. There is no sense of urgency or panic…just an air of calm acceptance of what surrounds us outside the valley walls.

It is almost as if by divine intervention, my valley home was prepped in advance for the drastic measures that would fast become relevant elsewhere. Having survived the floods on Feb 9th 2020, every shop, bar and restaurant, playground, school and streets had to disinfected from top to bottom. The scores of citizens who assisted in clean up over a 5 day period had to ensure they too maintained a high level of sanitization for risk of infections from the contaminated flood water. Mother Nature unleashed her worst, and we survived…united!

I cannot begin to imagine how our fellow citizens of the world are feeling now. The isolation and fear that each individual feels right now is real. The loss of identity as they try to adjust to a situation that is now their reality for an unknown time frame, is difficult to comprehend. The inability to connect physically for fear of unconsciously infecting a friend or family member is a mental and emotional burden that has the potential to wreak havoc. We have been asked to take unprecedented measures beyond our normal routine. And it is a harsh pill to swallow of how much we take our lives and activities for granted, and how much we are interconnected.

I have never felt as cocooned and safe from impending doom as I do right now. A small town with a massive heart which has faced adversity, worked together as a community to rebuild, is indeed a beautiful place to be while the world braces for turmoil. I know that my town will do all it can to protect the vulnerable, ensure everyone is safe and adhere to the guidelines. For this, I am thankful.

Even though I am truly blessed to call this valley my home, my heart and my safe haven, I hope that the Worlds citizens will learn from this experience and value everything, and everyone, we typically take for granted. Our delivery drivers, supermarket staff, our teachers, our manufacturers, our taxi drivers, medical team, hospitals…the list is endless. Without these people, the gloom we are faced with would be a million times worse! These people are hidden in the background operating quietly in the shadows, but are the most essential in times of every crisis.

Stay safe fellow warriors, do your part and stay positive…because this too shall pass. ❤️

Captains of change…where are you?

As I mentioned previously, there will be moments that I have a good old rant…usually because I witnessed something, read an article or engaged in a heated conversation, that made my blood boil. This blog this morning – (considering I haven’t been to bed and its 3am *face palm*) – was one of those Facebook statuses that attracted 0 attention. It fell as flat as a pancake and definitely didn’t spark any witty or insightful conversation. So…my wonderful blogging community, I share my rant with you all, and you can either agree or disagree…

Some sit at their high place and tell anyone who will listen that we are instigators for change. Lifestyle change, health change, mental change and even behavioural change. Some tell others that they are the catalyst for change, and through them, things will be done differently.
But when it boils down to it, everyone is a one track pony riding a
bandwagon that sounds and appears “trendy” in that particular moment. Every word uttered and every thought had within that moment, is pure air and full of false promise because they just like to hear the sound of their own voices. People talk the talk, but when it comes to walking the walk they falter and waiver, and with petrified looks, the “ums” and “aahs” are the only sounds you will ever hear them utter if you listen close enough.

I say this…get down from your high place, put on some gloves and don your boots, because the real change is physical, its dirty, its tiresome and its thankless. Don’t expect praise and to be exhaulted upon high… I am not a Jesus fanatic…but for the first time I get it…I get him. He was an ordinary man trying to make a change , trying to make a difference by himself. What thanks did he get? None! All the bandwagonists turned their back as soon as they realised hard work and effort was involved.
As a nation, as a society of people, who cry about making a difference and wanting to see change…stop talking!! Just start doing! This isn’t the Jesus era…you won’t get nailed to a cross for what you believe in. And you can guarantee once you start, there are others waiting for the natural born leader to make the first move.
Go on… Don’t just talk about change…be the change.

Namaste, fellow captains of real change.