I worked for 17 years on the Interface between North and West Belfast during the height of ‘The Troubles’ At that Interface one was, in the physical sense, faced with a huge wall designed to discourage anyone crossing over or through it but, of course, workers and groups interfaced with one another in pursuit of meaningful connections towards finding peace and understanding of the other side as it was known at the time.
In recent days I have been reflecting on the notion of interface and connections and it seems these concepts have been radically changed in our new ‘normal’. We have been taught to interface and connect at a distance, and if possible electronically and behind a mask. This new learning, whilst for our protection, has been difficult because it is unnatural for human beings.It is of course necessary for our health and safety and requires or gratitude and engagement. In fact from the perspective of mental health it is’Doing our heads in.’
We are created for engagement and meaningful connections with one another and without such connection and engagement we become frustrated and to some degree spiritually annihilated, it may be, for some like living in a vacuum.It is easily said we can connect to God and become closer to him, this is blase and unfeeling of the struggles. We experience when having to suppport restrictions especially if we are alone or vulnerable.
I have become more aware of the subtlety of little interferences in how we all approach daily living, and the fact is the more vulnerable and closed in one is the worse these interferences are, just think, when a person is disabled either physically or mentally the interface and possible connections they have are limited by the disabilities and by the services provided routine is important for everyone but more so for the vulnerable. It would be so easy to think that the vulnerable person is already restricted and so life hasn’t changed but it has it is more fearful for those who can’t go out and face it.
Aloneness and lonliness has become more insidious seeping into our pores and ways of being.I am hoping that what I am learning in a fresh way through this crisis will enable me to change my approach to others and feel I can genuinely interface and connect in a meaningful way with them.
I am hoping that as a single people, and as a population more loving compassion and caring will emerge through these lockdowns.
REACH OUT YOUR HANDS!
aoibheann thoughtful reflections 