Today I want to share with you a writing from an unknown author from India, which Eddie Stern (famous to a lot of yogis) shared in his newsletter. Because it touched me and I feel it’s speaking truth that a lot of people – especially in Europe – don’t want to see: 

WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT 

I heard that we are in the same boat. 

But it’s not like that. 

We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. 

Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine might not be. 

Or vice versa. 

For some, quarantine is optimal: moment of reflection, of re-connection.

Easy, in flip flops, with a whiskey or tea.

For others, this is a desperate crisis. 

For others it is facing loneliness. 

For some, a peace, rest time, vacation.

Yet for others, torture: How am I going to pay my bills?

Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it; some are not sure their loved ones are going to make it, and some don’t even believe this is a big deal.

Some of us who are well now may end up experiencing it, and some believe they are infallible and will be blown away if or when this hits someone they know.

Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020.

Others say the worse is yet to come.

So, friends, we are not in the same boat.

We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.

And each one will emerge, in his own way, from that storm.

Some with a tan from their pool. Others with scars on the soul (for invisible reasons).

It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, more than looking, seeing.

See beyond the political party, beyond religion, beyond the nose on your face.

Do not underestimate the pain of others if you do not feel it.

Do not judge the good life of the other, do not condemn the bad life of the other. 

Don’t be a judge. 

Let us not judge the one who lacks, as well as the one who exceeds him.

We are on different ships looking to survive. 

Let everyone navigate their route with respect, empathy and responsibility.

–Author unknown

Everywhere. They are. The facts or so called facts about the corona virus. Total numbers of dead people, infected, relating death and infection tolls … and and and. And day by day it seems to get more annoying or more frightening or nothing at all. We all have those feelings – though many people don’t admit it, not even to themselves. Why? Well … we were raised to divide our feelings into “good” ones and “bad” ones. So if we feel empathy we are okay with it, but if we feel fear or anger we are not. BUT … this is our moral learnt “overlay”. Naturally seen, feelings just are. And every feeling exists for a reason. Without fear mankind wouldn’t have made it to nowadays. Imagine Fred Flintstone’s friends giving a damn shit about the saber-toothed tiger instead of freaking out and running for their lives … you get it. So if every feeling just is, we can just freak out and put our hatred for idiots and stuff out there? Well, … wrong. The feelings just are. How you react to your own uncomfortable feelings is not just a natural law. It’s your choice (perhaps not in a panic attack, but as soon as there is a little bit of brains left aside an acute emotional crisis/strike to reflect and then take action). Accepting the feeling, then perhaps getting it off (shout out loud or go for a fast run around the block instead of punching the idiot) is a way better solution than ignoring “bad” feelings. Why? Well … our body and mind doesn’t forget them. They get stored. And .. then strike back another time – with a double or triple attack.