XIPE: The Corporate Gap Year and Professional Renewal

Optimism and Community - Al Mal Tiempo, Buena Cara.

Like so many around the world, I am practicing social distancing while staying informed on the developments surrounding Covid-19. Not sure about others, but I have found the need to strike a balance between digesting information and outright obsessing. It is for this reason, I am limiting my information consumption and injecting optimism into my day.

As I look back at the dimmest of times, it was precisely optimism pulling me through and onward. Xiuhtecuhtli, the Aztec Lord of Fire, bringing light into darkness, has always helped me navigate through life stressors.

During our current life-changing events, I am finding optimism in the ways people are coming together. The unity being demonstrated through community efforts are uplifting.

If you have not done so, look for images of the Italian and Spanish quarantines. While on their balconies, people have managed to come together in solidarity. From a distance, they have improvised sing-alongs and lead yoga classes, and thereby, reinforcing their sense of community. Here, in the States, you see community efforts to help the most vulnerable by ensuring they have a chance to source food and supplies before everyone else. And internationally, there is an exchange of knowledge and lessons learned. The Chinese physicians most experienced with Covid-19 have reached out to medical teams in Italy and the US, and are sharing best practices while reassuring the world we are not alone, we're in this together.

All of these gestures are not only hopeful but incredibly critical to our situation. Everything we know about such pandemics tells us that the only way to beat them is by working together and having each others' back. In this case, our most significant risk is having the virus transmitted at a speed that overwhelms our healthcare system. We have to slow down the spread of the virus. This way, we don't all contract the infection at once. Our hospitals and medical response teams are not equipped nor prepared for such an occurrence.

We are not powerless. We can bring light into darkness by doing our part:

Many of us will be fortunate enough to be asymptomatic once the virus is contracted, and yet, we may be contagious carriers. When we hear we should stay home, it is as much for our sake, as it is for the wellbeing of our neighbors. Stay home as much as possible. We may need to get to work, the store, or get exercise, but other than that, we should not venture into the streets, and if we do, we should be practicing social distancing.

The same goes for hand washing. Not only are we being instructed to wash our hands often (and for twenty seconds), but we have received guidance to clean in between our fingers, under our fingernails, and scrub regularly. It is even recommended that we wash a second time, much like nurses do. The virus can regrow in moisture, and so we must thoroughly dry our hands as well.

It is challenging not to touch our face, but we must work at it. The easiest way to get the virus in our system is by making contact with our eyes, nose, and mouth.

Thankfully for us, this is not a situation where water and food should be scarce unless we continue hoarding food. We are making things worse, and putting ourselves in greater danger by creating waves of people at the stores. Get exactly what you need and get out of the store. No need to begin a collection of household goods.

For those who are getting cabin fever, seek online resources. There is an abundance of entertainment and learning material to explore. One of the most inspiring things I have seen is teachers, writers, and others offering free online classes for children.

Finally, don't over-consume information. This does not help our mental health. We must find a way to create a routine, along with daily exercise. Yoga and meditation videos are readily available online.

Do your part. Find a way to seep optimism into your routine. Have your community's best interest at heart, and you will see how Xiuhtecuhtli's light and positive outlook will help us through. Together, we have a fighting chance at minimizing the impact of this worldwide crisis.

And just like that, let's put our best face on and tackle those small things that are within our power. I wish you and yours well, and a big thank you to our health and service industries. You are the heart of our communities.

May the universe align and find us a healthier, more united global community as we overcome.

Stream of Thought

Es la chispa

que me alumbra.

The hope

in Xiuhtecuhtli,

giving light

through optimism,

solidarity and

community.

The needed pause

is there,

the earth has

clearly spoken.

Let it heal,

it must rest,

calling a hiatus.