The ways we make connections with others is something many of us feel frustrated about just at the moment. We cannot accept our new normal probably because we haven’t mourned the old one, We are creatures of habit and need to feel the sameness of life day by day, but we can also be open to new experiences. I have been amazed at how many people have become so creative, take masks for example the variety and number of those made all over the globe is really astounding filling all the available niches with variety, and adding to the economy. I also have been reflecting on the incongruence in the ‘use of masks’ .It seems we feel we have a right to do as we please wearing or not wearing the mask, I know how difficult it is to cover ones mouth and nose as I’m claustrophobic but remembering others is key to our ‘new normal life’ .
On another plane masks represent ‘deceit’ Remember the film’The man in the iron mask
historians agree that he existed but legends have arisen as to his identity, whoever he was the desire was to hide his identity. A health professional recently told me that I didn’t look my age, boy, I thought, this mask carry on has some advantages she can’t see the wrinkles. The need for connections is important for our self esteem we like to know why we have to do things don’t we?
Recently I have been fascinated with the way words emerge during this crisis like this last few weeks its ‘remembering’ . Of course November is the month for remembering’ making connections on a higher plane might be about holding others in heart and mind ‘remembering them’ think about that word make connections with it…… In good times and bad we need to be re- member- ed this spacing is deliberate. The thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom Luke 23:42 perhaps, at the moment, there is fear amongst us that we are alone without hugs and handshakes but the re-member-ing is given and held as ‘presence’ .it is a ‘holding’ a spiritual hug and kiss and it is routed in Christlike compassion for others.
aoibheann thoughtful reflections 