Covid called. And, you answered. With your presence, your spirit and your amazing skill.
Covid19 has required heroism in the face of the unimaginable. But, heroism has two faces: one is the lauded front-line professional who is revered, loved and admired. We see these heroes as miracle workers, lifelines, rescuers, sources of nourishment, kindness, care and support.
The other side of heroism is harder. Being “a hero” may inhibit our full range of human expression which includes self-doubt, regret, imperfection and grief.
Is the hero allowed to have these human-scale feelings and thoughts? Is it skillful to ignore or bypass them?
“Mindfulness is the only intentional, systematic human activity which at bottom is about not trying to improve yourself or get anywhere else, but simply to realize where you already are.”
~ Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction