I started my day in tears. I admit, that happens quite often lately as I unexpectedly and very suddenly become overwhelmed by a tidal wave of suppressed emotions rushing to the surface. Today’s trigger stemmed from reading an article which very eloquently captured a one-year review of our global pandemic. What a humbling and eye-opening truth to absorb. It has genuinely been one hell of a year.

Of course, there will always be many views, mixed emotions, and ways to have experienced the last 365 days of our collective upheaval. I actually believe it will be within these intricate details of how we all experienced, remembered, and further participated within this global reset that will make all the difference to the world. Make no mistake, we are officially making history here. The catalyst of change will be in how we engage with and acknowledge our present circumstances that will significantly impact society down the road while offering many solutions to our ever-changing world. Whether historians review our experiences another year from now, 100 years from now or even thousands of years from this very moment in time, the aftermath of how we collectively choose to act, combat, and overcome this virus while in the eye of the storm, will be the very fabric of which future generations will acknowledge and remember this time.

Certainly, we all have free will, as well as the right to our own inner beliefs and understandings. But at some point, we have to change the “I of the Storm” to the “We of this Storm”. Doing so, will unequivocally empower society to ride through the changes at hand straight through to the dawn of a new era of time. We are in this storm together. Together, we must learn how to overcome our basic fight or flight instincts to be the bigger solution to our collective amendment in time. Change will never occur on an old-world mentality. We must work to collectively rise above the storm to a new place of calm and empowered understanding.

There are many who currently feel as though their basic human rights and freedoms are being taken away, whether that is because of mandated mask wearing, gathering restrictions or localized lockdowns. That is certainly one point of view currently being experienced at this time. Instead of seeing life from this perspective however, I choose to remember and experience our reality as the time we all pulled together to ensure everyone could stay safe and protected from that which was still unknown.

There are those within society who choose to focus on mass conspiracy theories and the movement towards a one world order. I choose to see and experience these times as an important milestone moment when our collective responsibility became absolutely transparent and clear; the catalyst in time where we all dug deep and vowed to be the change instead of engaging in the finger pointing, blame approach in an mediocre attempt to re-calibrate this world.

Many focus their energies towards making one nation great again or to advocate false news and the termination of democratic procedures. I refuse to give that narrow-minded perspective any more airtime then it deserves. Instead, I choose to remember and acknowledge all the brave souls who gave and continue to give their time and energy to make this great and miraculous world a viable place again; putting aside their religious, personal, and political viewpoints to bring authentic light, hope, and inspiration to all people. Instead of berating our governing bodies, I choose to value and solute those same systems who stepped up to the plate, offering financial assistance to individuals, a lifeline to small businesses, and overall support to the economy in general. Instead of focusing on false accusations of hidden agendas, I genuinely cheer on news reporters who refuse to be the voice of lies and narcissistic behaviours. Instead of viewing the virus as an “us verses them” mentality of who caused what, when or how it has affected me personally, I spend valuable time honouring and commending all individuals who have decided to work together and face these surmountable challenges head on.

Some will remember and engage in our reality as a time to fear the unknown, devalue experts in their fields, and refuse viable short-term solutions to suppress the virus until even greater answers are brought to the surface. Instead, I intend to set my sights on the many courageous individuals within our communities who showed up on the front lines, worked overtime, rolled up their sleeves to the vaccines being offered, and acted from an empowered and brave outlook to be the true heroes of this time.

There are those who like to focus on the perceived trauma and emotional turmoil caused by changes to school systems, workplaces, travel restrictions, places of worship, and the list goes on and on. I am not ignoring that reality, but I do prefer to focus on the amazing demonstrations of strength, resilience, and adaptability that comes with making heart-centred choices for the well-being of all others.

There are some who view this time as the birthing pains before the second coming where the salvation of a select few will finally be restored at the arrival of a saviour. Instead, I choose to spend my days in full awareness and the clear understanding that it will never be one individual who can and will change the landscape of our co-creative existence entirely on their own. It has and always will be a global community of empowered, enlightened, brave souls walking and living within their individual and our collective potential that will be the authentic catalyst of change, bringing an end to the individual “I” component of this collective storm.

In truth, that is the way our co-creative existence should be experienced, remembered and documented. Not as a power struggle against the systems of this world. Not as a time when our rights were infringed upon or taken away. Not as one person saving humanity from a plethora of sins. Not as one nation being the catalyst of change. Not even as a global pandemic that took control of the world, accentuating our individual and collective vulnerabilities. If I had the opportunity to be the author of this time and authentically document the genuine catalyst of change in progress, I would remember the higher truth and make it globally known that we came through this storm together; strong, resilient, and adamantly determined to see the dawn of a new coming.

In honour of all those who have already lost their lives, loved ones or have suffered greatly at the expense of COVID-19, I reiterate that I see and hounour the inner strength, resilience, and light you have already contributed to this world.

Love and Blessings Always,

Lauren Heistad