Love and communication about the coronavirus at this time

Last night something powerful happened. Someone posted about the virus just being fear and spoke to their excitement about presenting at a live event. Then a bunch of us lovingly called this person in. They started to notice what they didn’t know, they became willing to read more information, they became willing to see something they didn’t want to see. They actually edited their post and asked the event to reconsider. 

It was a community initiation. It reminded me of having those first conversations with a white person who’s new to seeing privilege or a cis gendered person who hasn’t thought about privilege yet. It reminded me what’s possible when we don’t make them wrong, we simply call them in with love, and stay with them while they go through some version of:

That’s not true.
It would be too hard to believe if that were true.
That happens in other places, not here…
Things are going to continue the way I’ve always known.
I don’t want to read about it, that’s just creating fear.
Ok I’ll read one article.
Oh shit, this is absolutely heartbreaking.
How could this be? Is this science fiction?
No, I’m going to continue doing my events.
I’m pissed, I don’t want to cancel my events.
I’ve been planning this for so long. This is my income. You don’t understand.
Why is this happening to me?
My heart is so tender.
When I actually see what’s happening the grief is unbearable.
Ok, I’m grieving… with you all.
We’re all in this together.
Thank you for calling me in.
How can I learn more and what is there for me to do?
Oh! I got an idea!!

Basically the amygdala arc of:
in shock, defensive, angry, grieving, acceptance, and then receptive… that’s when our creative solutions can come forth.

For many of us who have been calling people in for years, now is the time to engage these superpowers of courage to speak up, compassion, clarity, education, and friendship. This virus is just one way nature is asking us to wake up and take care of each other. “Social distancing” or rather “spacious solidarity” at this moment is a way to say, "I'm willing to see what I don't want to see. I'm willing to do things differently than I wanted to...so I can look back and know that I did everything I could to support the health of everyone."