The Air Outside is Fine
Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all well and staying healthy. At a time when being isolated in our homes it can be stressful for our minds and bodies. Each day I try to go out for a walk and get some fresh air. Although the governor has asked us to stay in our homes, we can go outside in our backyards and get some fresh air. It will do us good to breath in the air and feel the sun on our bodies.
Yesterday I went for a walk to the grocery store and noticed something very interesting. First there weren’t many people walking around or driving their cars. While I was walking, I did encounter a few people and each one of them kept their 6′ distance from me. But that wasn’t what was interesting. What was interesting is that every single person I ran into said, “Hello” or “Good Afternoon”. In my prior walks around the neighborhood, most people were walking and rarely would they say hello. Many were wearing headphones or earplugs listening to music.
Could this be a result of a shared experience? Could it be that people are sensing that we are all in this difficult situation together and understand what we are all going through? I like to think that difficult situations like this bring us closer together. Perhaps there is an understanding of the interrelationship of all things and sentient beings.
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” Thank you John Lennon. Sadly, sometimes it takes a dilemma or shared suffering to bring us together.
Please think of your neighbors and friends during this difficult time.
Gassho,
Rev. Shinseki