Wherever You Go, There You Are.

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The government have asked for our support to protect New Zealand and eradicate COVID-19. An important restriction has been put in place, stay home, save lives and no surprises, two days in and the usual suspects have gone a little wild, flaunting the rules and looking for loopholes.

We often hope that others will think, behave, react and respond the way we do, but it doesn’t always work that way. Some of the rules are bound to get a little tighter when people who don’t like to be told what to do, go about their business, their way. They are just being who they are, but when the consequences affect the collective, it doesn’t resonate well.

Humans are complex cognitive creatures who filter information through past experiences, conditioning and values. We are prone to adopting beliefs about ourselves and the world in ways that make what we do seem as justifiable as possible. To justify is to prove that actions are reasonable or right. This doesn’t mean they are.

So what to do?

follow the rules and stay in the bubble
take it seriously and think of the health of all our country
we cannot change the circumstances, but we can be mindful about how we interpret the rules
don’t waste your time fighting the opinions or rule twisting of others, leave the policing to the experts but do tell them if they are putting you at risk
keep doing a great job and know that the life you save might also be your own.

Wherever you go there you are is the title of one of my favourite mindfulness books by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Thanks so much to my beloved husband Wolfie for producing the wonderful daily graphics.