adminhomeslider, manon

What can we learn from the Corona Virus crisis

I am writing this in the 4th week of our lockdown which the UK government in this case, has decided to put in place. The purpose of this is obviously to stop the spread of this serious virus that is a danger to the elderly and less healthy people. I totally get that and I am not really against it but…..I feeling more frustrated the longer this lockdown goes on because I know there is a solution: testing so people who are immune can go back to work and keep part of the economy going. On the other hand, I have to say that personally I have never liked our economy: there is too much inequality and it is all about money and less about being human. We still have too much fighting, violence, sexual abuse of mainly women and girls and making people work under terrible conditions, even slavery. Then there is the abuse of the earth – the climate change, pollution, extinction of animals and also our very unhealthy food and drink habits causing illness and attacking our immune systems. Let’s be real: this virus may have come at a time that we really need to stop and think what the hell we are doing! Also, how can we transform our system to a healthier and more beneficial lifestyle for everyone. 

What can we learn?

Looking holistically at this situation, you can wonder how this came to be and why at this time. But I feel what is more important at the moment, is how we can learn from it and how can we transform our lifestyle to a more natural state of being respecting the earth and our own natural bodies. Basically, we ourselves have caused this virus to happen. You may think that we have made much progress in the last decades, but I see it more like a train speeding and speeding until it crashed out of the tracks because it the drivers were not respecting the health and safety rules, in this case from our Mother Earth who has given us life and allows us to live on her earth. We have not respected her terms and in the end, it is she who rules. This is now evident in the way that the virus makes no distinction between rich and poor, politician and cleaner, grandmother and father, etc. The people in charge may think they are in control, but they are now realising that they are not. So, it is a good wake-up call and an incentive to change our ways. How? Well, some communities are already doing it and I also believe in the creative powers of us humans. It needs an out of the box way of thinking, which is not easy if you have been used to a certain way of being and it needs our people in charge to put natural wellbeing first instead of money. 

Are you ready to receive?

New Life Principals

One thing I have never believed in is hierarchy – that has to change to self- regulating teams of people from different backgrounds. Also, we need to decentralise decision making, create regional teams (the self-regulating teams I already mentioned) that have the power to make decisions based on a few simple principals: 

  1. Wellbeing of people is always first
  2. Respect for earth and natural laws
  3. Community based living with enough personal freedom
  4. Equality 
  5. Keep things simple but comfortable – happiness is not in possession
  6. Encouragement of meditation, yoga and other holistic practices

There are probably other worthwhile principals but these are the ones that came up for me. I do realise that this will not be easy for a lot of people who have always been used to fight and struggle for what they have and do not know that there is another way of being. Although being in the lockdown and in isolation, many people I have spoken have told me that they enjoy the slower pace of life and they finally get to do the things they normally would like to but have no time to do them. Just the thought of going back in the rat race makes them so anxious, that I really believe that if that will be the case, it is going to be really tough on people forcing them maybe to make other life changing decisions, which can also be a good thing. Existing communities will get a lot of new people applying to join, I am sure. 

Abundance

I have heard often that there is not enough resources and food in the world for everyone. Let me tell you something: there is plenty and there is abundance as long as you know how to use it and not abuse it. Do we really need 15 different cereals, laundry detergents, chemical filled cleaning products, unhealthy ready meals, etc. Because creating all of those unnecessary products is what is causing the earth resources to be depleted. Yes, you will say, but it gives people jobs so they can pay their rent. It gives people jobs, but it also keeps them imprisoned in jobs that they do not like and keeps them caged in a system that is not challenging them to use their own unique creativity. What do you really need??? If I take myself for example: I hardly ever shop in supermarkets, because at least 80% of their products have been produced with additives and chemicals. I buy my veggies and fruits on the weekly market; they are organic and mostly locally grown. I get other basic products from a health store and I always cook from scratch which makes for some delicious eating. 

So yes, maybe you will need to learn how to cook yourself and if you do not have that rat race going, you have the time for that. But what about the luxury goods we crave…I do like my phone, laptop, my car and my television – guilty. There is nothing against technology as long as also here we are creating it sensibly and sustainable. Also, if we have more focus on our well-being: mentally, spiritually and physically, we will have a better balance so we do not look outside ourselves to fill a need or hole. As we are also spiritual beings, we will have time to address that need as well. I personally enjoy a lasting good friendship and being part of a community. At the moment too many people are lonely and feel alone. 

Transformation can be now

If you would like to change your life, do not wait for others and certainly not for our government to do that for you. Start now, this is the moment but it does take initiative, action and commitment. Transformation does not just happen; you need to want it and work it. It means that you have to get over some habits that are holding you back, change your way of thinking, listen to what your heart and gut are telling you, ask for support and reach out to others around you. If you have transformational groups – you can exchange and share your stories, get support and get inspiration. So here are few things that can get you started:

  1. Look at your life and write down what you like about it and what you do not like
  2. Put the likes on one piece of paper and the do not likes on another – keep them separate
  3. Make a list of what you would like to have in your life – no restrictions, dream!
  4. Now look at the list of what you not like and put it next to the list of what you would like – are there any correspondences – write them down. 
  5. Now look at the things that are easier to change – make a top 3 list – and write down how you are going to change them – commit to it for at least 4 weeks
  6. Make a gratitude list – look at it every day so it can give you a good feeling about what you already have in your life
  7. Write down the names of people you would like in your transformation support group – reach out to them and ask them if they would like to join you – make a weekly commitment to reach out and share

I know it is not easy, but trust me it will become a way of being and before you know it, you already are on the road of transformation. 

I am setting up a Transformation Group – if you are interested, please contact me for details : info@manontromp.com

I wish you well, 

Manon – Glastonbury 

April 10, 2020