Pausing for reflection in choatic times

I don't think there are too many of us out there who would suggest that 2020 has been an easy year. From COVID-19 to the rise of divisive politics; from climate impacts to ongoing biodiversity loss (per latest Living Planet Report and our failure to reach any of the Aichi biodiversity targets), it's been a bit of a grim ride of late. Standing in 2020, the future is looking increasingly grim for us all, let alone those who will inherit our collective mess - both our children and the animal kingdom that we share this planet with.

Personally speaking, the end of the summer 2020 has only been a set of further piling on of misery including broken limbs for two family members, the passing of my dog of the past decade, a back injury for good measure and then apocalyptic orange forest fire-driven skies that generated toxic air quality for over a week.

Suffice it to say, it's been a rough go of late.

So why the post? I suppose it is a gentle reminder to not just myself, but perhaps to others, that we must not get lost in the chaos. We must not be overwhelmed with the fear of a future yet to manifest. We must instead, pause.

In particular, we need to pause to reconnect to what matters. It is here that we need to return to that which drives us. For some of us, many of you perhaps, it is nature. In particular, reconnecting with friends and family, through water as a medium. And I mean that literally. Go out there, touch some water. Listen to water. Smell some water. And do with with those that matter most to you.

As I write this, blue skies have returned above me here in Vancouver - and what caused that to happen? Water. With the rains and shifting weather of the past few days, they've brought clean air, a break for our forests and our lungs alike. Water has that magical property to restore and we should never take that for granted.

When I am feeling lost and despairing a bit, few things help me as much as some time out in nature - whether biking through the rain-soaked mountains or looking out over the surf of the ocean - pause to reconnect. In the peace that can emerge in those moments, enjoy the beauty of nature. Laugh with friends. Be human.

More challenges are coming and it is important that we face them with strength, compassion, fluidity and energy. Water is our ally, can be our teacher, and our respite. Take a pause in the chaos and seek out some water. Let it bring you together with your loved ones, so that we can keep trying to make this a better world.