The Winter of Our Discontent

And so begins the winter of 2020, which seems an eternal continuation of when COVID hit earlier this year. Surely, metaphorically, it has been.

One long, building season of discontent.

I will argue, however, that the pandemic has not caused our restlessness. It has only exacerbated our collective existential crises. And for the opportunity for reflection, I am thankful for the "going in and looking out" that the coronavirus has brought us. It has shined a spotlight on what was simmering beneath the surface, about to boil over: something needed to change.

Going In.

As a life coach of almost two decades, my job has been to promote personal growth and achievement. In my universe, growth-seekers are motivated to achieve their highest potential. So then, after working with thousands of people, it has not surprised me to see significant numbers who have climbed through all the levels of Abraham Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs," and once having achieved self-actualization, aspire to transcendence.

Maslov described transcendence as "the very highest and most inclusive or holistic levels of human consciousness, behaving and relating, as ends rather than means, to oneself, to significant others, to human beings in general, to other species, to nature, and to the cosmos".

Individuals who have achieved this level of growth have the capacity for self-reflection and other-awareness. (I will also note here, being a mother of eight children spanning two generations, that Millenials and Gen Z's seem to have an increased capacity for those things. And my two autistic children see more from transcendence, which is their own discontent with those who try to impose a lesser vantage point.)

For these individuals, "going in" has been an opportunity for more growth.

Looking Out.

As we have been made to stay home and reflect (going in), we have observed our culture more (looking out). And what has come into focus is a society that is abusive and rewards injustice by degenerated individuals.

As the courageous have stood behind their principles, they have been assassinated by those who, out of fear, are grasping at the past and exerting pressure to maintain the status quo: corruption, greed, exclusion.

(Interestingly, those who have most rejected stay-at-home orders (going in) and the responsibility to not harm others by wearing a mask (looking out) seem also to be those least interested in reflective change and personal growth.)

And so, the winter of our discontent. One that, assuredly, will build through the next few months. 

But oh, the glorious summer.

Thankfully, we realize that something bigger than ourselves is there, even if that big thing is a microscopic virus. 

As an American, I have been happy to see many of us finally realize that we are part of a larger world. That the actions of others influence our individualism. And that, if we want to succeed, we must consider the greater good.

As an armchair sociologist, it's been fascinating to observe the cultural shift that has arisen from our new perspective: a kinder, more generous global society.

Most assuredly, this necessary yet painful season of tearing down will end. With fresh faces and smiles and contemporary art, the new season will arrive, as those of us who have finished the work of "going in and looking out," will sing together "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles and go out and make the world a better place.

For more discussion and insight, reach me on Twitter.