by the time you read this most of us will have been at home for several weeks. early on in this time i began to consider the language we use to describe our situation. i’m not alone in this contemplation. many writers have commented on the use of the language of war…”this is a battle against an unseen enemy”; “we will win this fight”;”we will bring out all of our big guns to fight this virus”. and on it goes, effecting our nervous systems, creating more anxiety and fear.
while it may be designed to rally our spirits and bring us together, i find it has the opposite effect. harking back to world war 2 does nothing for the vast majority of the population alive today. i imagine it actually allows youngers to disconnect and refuse to follow the guidelines.instead i’ve made other choices. being from california, i immediately resonated with the phrase that state's government has chosen for those who are advised not to go out…shelter in place. ahhh, my whole being sighed with the prospect of shelter…a place of comfort, protection, safety and welcome.
how much more beneficial than "loc-do-n" or "self - iso—tion". how much more inspiring than those intrinsically isolating, militaristic words. many olders are already accustomed to spending many hours alone, some under hardship conditions. for them this is nothing new, only different. in truth, this may be a blessing to them for many communities have rallied to support and help a group of people who rarely get support or help.let us use our influence as elders and our energy to keep ourselves and other older people connected and held in the embrace of community. let us reach out to one another and continue to stay “in touch” (even when we can’t actually touch). let us speak our truth in language that uplifts and elevates. let us add this experience to the decades of life experience we already have lived.