Even though the current pandemic crisis isn’t over, many of us are starting to ask what comes next. Will things just go back to normal? Do we want that? Was normal so great for ourselves, other people or the planet? Or is it possible to use this current experience to learn something and do better than before? This week in our April Vlog Thom and I talk about a few things we would love to see more of in the days to come. And as a surprise, we’ve asked a few of our friends to join in with what they would also hope to welcome as we recover from this tipping point in human history. While none of us expect to convince you of what you should hope to see for yourself, it is SMART to remember that your thoughts and intentions do influence your future. Remember, what you think about, you help bring about. It is done unto you as you believe. Let’s make sure our thoughts are what we hope to experience. Together we can help co-create a better world if we take the time to envision our highest possibilities. Join Thom, me and a few friends as we share a couple of ideas to get started.
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It’s always good to see you and Thom (how many fun, floral shirts do you own? 🙂 )! I liked what you two said about living our values and how always looking for the “best deal” often doesn’t support what we say we believe in (living wage, environmentally sound, sustainability, etc.). It’s important to really think about how we are “voting” with our money. This “new normal” we are experiencing is full of valuable lessons if we are paying attention.
Hi Janis! Thanks for noticing my shirts. I DO own a ton of them. I like bright and festive colors and that obviously shows. I’m a BIG fan of Tommy Bahama and Jams World shirts. They aren’t cheap but they last FOREVER. And yes, the colors lift me up so I wear them A LOT….meanwhile Thom prefers grays and other neutral colors. Go figure. I guess both of them are examples of “voting with our dollars.” ~Kathy
Wouldn’t it be nice that, instead of a pause button, the pandemic is somewhat of a reset button? Just like the first day of a new year. Just like “you get to make it up”. All true for when we emerge on the other side of this – hopefully as better people who know their priorities and values and manage to stick to them. My biggest hopes are more respect and care for the environment, better healthcare in the US, and the return of common sense, respect, and being considerate in people.
Hi Liesbet. Yes! I will take a “reset” any day. And may all the elements of your vision prevail too. ~Kathy
Nice to hear all 6 of you. Where we are going from here is someplace new and different, for sure. We can continue to be the elders and help people hold to their values and help bring food, love, acceptance, harmony, peace and…
Hi Gary! Yes I think you know all of us too don’t you? And I hope your vision is something that enfolds as well…and actually, it is all fairly similar isn’t it? It would seem if enough of us held that, then we could collectively make that happen. As Captain Picard on Star Trek always said, “Let it be so!” ~Kathy
Very hopeful! I suspect there WILL a lot of small but important changes — some of them positive — that come out of this, and I loved the question about how each of us can / will contribute to those positive changes. You two are certainly doing that. I also loved Thom’s metaphor of thinking of each dollar we spend as a vote; even a little movement in that direction would be great.
Hi Nancy! Thanks for watching and letting us know it offered hope. We all need that don’t you think? And that idea that “we vote with our dollars” is such a powerful reminder (at least to me) that “energy flows where our attention goes.” It’s so easy to forget but such a fundamental idea. May we all be more mindful of that as the days go by. Thanks again for your comments. ~Kathy
Kathy and Thom, thank you for your wonderful insights on “Where Do We Go From Here?” I enjoyed all perspectives, and I appreciate being included 🙂
Hi Scott! We aren’t nearly as smooth and practiced as you are! You’ve had years and years of practice and make it seem so effortless–that’s why you are such a pleasure to watch in motion! Thank YOU for participating and maybe we’ll do something else together in the future cuz this one was so much fun. We hope to see you (in person) again soon. ~Kathy & Thom
Thanks, Kathy and Thom. Very interesting and thought provoking. Love your optimism. Hoping when we do get out of this current situation we keep heading towards Community not Chaos. I hope as a Community of The World we learn from this and move forward together.
Hi Joanne! Thank you! I’m glad this vlog got you thinking–can’t ask for more than that. And I guess it’s pretty obvious that my friends are all optimists too….as are you! (maybe that’s why I’m so happy to call them friends?) I also second your hope that we all learn from this and move forward together. ~Kathy
Oops, that was supposed to be a heart!
hahahahaha…you never know with my plugins if something will work. But thanks for the sentiment 🙂
Hi, Kathy, Tom, Eric, Kerry, Scott and Deborah – Thank you for the thought-provoking Vlog. I agree that this pandemic has pressed the pause button, giving us time to slow down and reflect on changes that we would like to make personally, as a community, as a country and as a planet. At the same time, this pandemic has caused innovation (especially in medicine, education and business) to speed up and jump forward. A small example is video and online doctor appointments that I had never experienced previously and are now happening successfully in numerous places. As someone who lives in a small town, with both our family doctor and the closest walk-in clinic, being 40 minutes away, this makes a huge difference. For those who live much more remotely, this difference can be life changing, and potentially life-saving. My hope is that positive silver lining innovations will not be cancelled, beat down, or strangled in red-tape when we get to our new normal.
Thank you all for the many gems that you shared here. You were a true pleasure to watch.
Hi Donna! Thank you so much for listening to the podcast and sharing the thoughts it generated in you. It was fun too getting input from our friends around a topic we thought important so I’m glad you liked it. We will definitely be doing more of that in the future. And may your “vision” of where we go from here be included! ~Kathy
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