I_am_7th_archangel Offline

"This Fog"

*Fog can be considered a type of low-lying cloud, usually resembling stratus, and is heavily influenced by nearby bodies of water, topography, and wind conditions.* (Characteristic definition)

We’ve all had experiences with fog, right? How that one hour commute becomes a two hour commute, or, no commute at all. Visibility becomes limited, from a few miles to a few feet, to no visibility at all. Depending on the thickness of the mist, it slows things way down, or brings things to a halt altogether. And, while attempting to driving through the thick mist can oftimes provide a prolonged silence to do the sort of thinking that is more like praying. (It has for me when I’m out in it.)

Now, considering all the above, I couldn’t help but compare the low-lying cloud to the world’s persisting and shared experience with the Coronavirus. (aka COVID-19) How it has settled around us! How it has confused normality! How it has restricted functioning! How it has taught us, already. So, what do we know about 'the fog' thus far?

Fog insists that we stay put or slow down. For our own well-being and that of all those with whom our paths may cross and merge, the arrival of fog (or in this case, infection) ushers in the necessity of a halted or considered pace. This road is shared, we’re made aware. “Self” and “neighbor” become almost interchangeable as we consider who could be affected by what. "Love your neighbor as yourself" Jesus tells us.
The fog shows us that to love ourselves is to love our neighbor is to love ourselves. This is a gift for us to witness.

Fog can remind us that we are a part of a larger creation—not dominant over, but, dependent upon. “Want to make God laugh?” “Tell God your plans!” Though dusty and theologically questionable, this quip nods to the truth that we are not in control. But, whereas in my youth I may have heard that sentence and equated it to people being pawns of a divine authoritarian instead of active agents in their own lives, I see an invitation in our present-day depletion of control: you're not over the whole picture, because you're a part of the whole picture. We belong to each other, and to a big story which includes nature, cycles, mystery, interdependence, and the chance to embrace the unknown. We belong.

Fog obscures and restricts. There is no denying this. And you don’t need me to put a romantic spin on every inconvenience and heartache that has now flooded our daily lives. Fog, like this pandemic, eclipses reality and complicates normal and needed functioning. There are wrecks and delays, and both can be devastating. You may get lost. If you’re privileged enough to have time to get lost, this may be a relief. If you are not, this could be detrimental. People will experience the restrictions differently based upon their resources and what dictates them. The best thing we can do for one another is to listen and trust people with the language of their own experiences, to offer when we have more, and ask when we have less.

Fog can teach us what it’s like for those whose navigation of the world is hindered on a normal basis. Imagine an existence where the clouds never lift. For some, that is the constant reality. Can’t get what we need for our pantries? The poor often know this experience well. Can’t venture out because of threat of contamination? The immuno-compromised are quite familiar. Feeling stir-crazy and muddled due to isolation and lack of touch? Many elderly, single people, mentally ill, disabled, and homeless individuals can relate. Having to lean on other senses and other people to construct a livable reality? May the present days inform our privilege in the ones to come with compassion for those who are both acquainted with these struggles and further harmed at this time.

Fog has means and an end. As fog can be gorgeous, the forced isolation of COVID-19 may very well be leading to a mass-reduction in environmental pollutants. As fog can be damaging, COVID-19 has caused stress, costs lives, and overwhelmed economies. As fog can cause us to pay attention to what’s right in front of us by masking distractions, COVID-19 is proving to do the same in our homes and rhythms. As fog can thwart plans and halt important movement, COVID-19 is turning the world that we’d anticipated for 2020 on its head. As fog can require us to think outside of the box, for many COVID-19 is necessitating unprecedented creativity and connection. It can be both, and. It does not have to be this for that. There are means, and there will be ends, and one does not have to justify the other. We can hold them both.

This fog will clear, eventually. As with all things, it's having its momentary moment (albeit a profound one). And, as with all significant things, what follows will be shaped by it. In the months and years ahead, may we find that we loved well and were loved well through this pandemic. May we be heartened to see what humanity was made of, after all. May we find peace in this being many things, accompanied by many emotions, and attributing to many outcomes. And may we be better, closer, more merciful, less afraid, encouraged, and connected when it lifts.

As it will lift.