Beautiful human tendencies I’m seeing right now

Every time a big curveball like the covid 19 virus takes place, people change. They change the way they look at life, at death, at themselves, at each other, at the choices they make, at the choices they don’t want to make, at the way they live their life and so forth. They change rapidly. They create different priorities for themselves. 

Big events like this one are catalysts for rapid growth and for deep inner change. 

Today, I want to share with you some of the trends that I see starting to blossom right now, trends that I personally find exciting. There is much that could be said as well about trends that are rooted in fear, but right now I choose to focus on changes that make me feel hopeful, alive and well. 

#1: Unity.

This virus affects all of us, globally. As a result, people are feeling more unity with one another. We feel unity with people in our extended families, people down the street, people in other countries and people all over the world. This pandemic is making us all feel united, and it’s a very, very beautiful thing to feel united. 

#2: Kindness & neighborly-ness.

From medical workers who risk their lives to help those in need, to people helping each other in small ways, kindness has been spreading fast everywhere.

I’ve read stories of people who, for the very first time in years, talked to their neighbor. For years, they never talked to each other and now, all of a sudden, they smiled at each other, they said hello and they talked. People are acknowledging and looking their neighbors in the eye. They are feeling more respect, more support, and more affection for one another. People’s hearts are becoming softer and more enlivened.

#3: Local community.

I’ve noticed an increased appreciation for local communities. People have become more appreciative of the resources we have available locally, many of which have now closed down. They raised money to support local employees who were affected by the economy. This strengthened bond with the local community will not fade when the pandemic is over. It will be remembered and it will only become stronger. 

#4: Meaningful connection.

What happens when you tell somebody they can’t have something? They want that something even more! That’s what social distancing is creating. If you tell humans they have to keep physical distance from their fellow human beings, they will be sure to create intimacy in different ways. People are bonding even more closely with their fellow human beings now.

Connection is not physical, connection is emotional. Social distancing is making us want to create even more emotional connection with other people, including customers, collaborators and colleagues. 

#5: Family.

Most people appreciate the extra time they now have with their family. Of course, this doesn’t apply to everyone. In situations where people don’t like to spend time with their families, this time of quarantine is very stressful. But for those who do like to be with their families, the increase in family time is greatly appreciated. I suspect that people will have a hard time going back to work lives that separate them from their families for extended periods of time. As a society, we will all have to learn how to integrate family life within business more. 

#6: Outdoors, nature, fresh air and growing your own food.

The quality of our air improved because we’re all staying indoors. I’ve noticed that this realization has helped people appreciate clean air, clean waters and a clean Earth even more. 

I’ve also noticed that the separation from our typical busyness has made many people feel more connected to nature. Not surprisingly, sales of vegetable seeds and gardening supplies have skyrocketed in the past month or so. Many online stores are sold out of seeds, seedlings, and other such things. People want to spend more time outdoors and to feel more connected to nature, because nature is soothing, calming and peaceful.

#7: Authenticity.

When you come out at the other end of a crisis, you crave authenticity, both in the way you live your life and in the way you allow external influences to enter your life. For example, think of a person who survives a severe medical condition in their midlife. When they come out of the condition and regain their health, do they go back to the job they never loved but they put up with, for years? Do they brush their creativity under the rug? Do they continue to spend their time in ways that don’t serve their soul? Do they continue to stay small and to be afraid to speak? Do they stay locked in their apartment, or do they go out and watch sunsets, oceans and trees? 

At the end of a crisis, people usually have a much lower tolerance for acting in ways that are not true to themselves. They don’t put up with lies quite as easily as before. 

In the last decade, we’ve seen more and more people look for authenticity. But with this crisis, I’ve noticed a rapid desire for authenticity washing over all of us. I’ve seen people redefining their work and the way they live their lives. 

#8: Innovative ways to reach customers and to work online.

Real estate agents are now offering virtual house tours. Teachers are offering online classes, videos and online progress trackers. Kids are learning from their couch. Artists are playing their music online even more. Everyone has risen to the occasion to create a meaningful connection using the online tools they have available. I doubt anyone will stop using these new online ways of connection when the pandemic is over.

The new normal of connecting with people online will be more meaningful, more intimate, more honest and more generous. 

#9: Appreciation for what we took for granted until now. 

When something is not available anymore, you start cherishing it more. You don’t take it for granted anymore. We took for granted our food supply and our toilet paper supply. We took for granted our hair cuts, playgrounds and lots of other services that have always been available. But now, they aren’t available anymore. I see that people are feeling more appreciation for the products and the services they need and for the people and the distribution systems that make these products and services available. This is creating a stronger bond between customers, businesses, suppliers, manufacturers, etc. 

#10: Stronger desire to make the world a better place.

A friend I hadn’t talked to in years texted me yesterday to ask me if I want to donate to an urgent fundraiser she started to help her hometown, which lacks medical supplies and medical staff. I’ve seen so many other people burst with desire and with actions to help the world right now. What can I do? How can I contribute to the world becoming a better place? These are questions that people are asking themselves with more intentionality right now. Even the fact that we’re all staying home comes out of a desire to help the world. Many people don’t stay home because they’re afraid of catching this weird virus. They stay home out of a sense of responsibility for our health care system, for the elderly and for our fellow human beings who are at risk. 

#11: Questioning everything.

Last but not least, people are starting to question things. When you question things, you make changes that serve you better. People are asking themselves questions like... 

Do I have to go to an office every day when this is over?
Could I make money in more ways than one so that no pandemic hurts my business again?
Do I really need to pay the same overhead costs in the future?
Where did the products I can’t find anymore come from? 
Could I actually grow my own food?
Why does my kid hate doing their homework?