The Things We've Gained

Before getting into this piece, I'd like to acknowledge the immense privilege I currently have in even being able to write this piece. As of today, I have my health, my family has their health, I have a roof, and I have family and friends who help me reflect and reconcile my thoughts and feelings during this time.

Silver linings are gorgeous. When someone mentions the silver lining, how often have you ever truly imagined it? As far as expressions go, this one conveys the idea that a challenge is worth it because you've grown in some way, or that some advantage has arisen as a result of the challenge you underwent.

First, let's all agree that this is a scary time. I'll start; I'm a little bit scared. I'm a hugger, and according to the famous assessment, my Love Languages are physical touch and quality time. This period of time, therefore, is quite a challenge for me, as it is for all of us.

I'll start with a sober reality about silver linings. When we look at the picture above, what do you see more of? The silver lining, or the cloud? The silver linings bring sharpness and accentuation to the cloud. Undoubtedly, the silver lining also brings beauty to the cloud. But to be clear, the silver lining absolutely accentuates the cloud. It highlights that there is, in fact, a cloud, and this has a double connotation.

First, as mentioned, it reminds us that the cloud is very much there. Pretending the cloud doesn't exist is not an option when you see a silver lining. As humans, we're generally driven by a sort of duality. If there were no cloud, there would be no silver lining. Without the cloud, we could not appreciate the sunlight lining its contour. So the first lesson there is - don't ignore the cloud. It's real. It's there. And this particular cloud feels like it's raining hammers and chainsaws. We won't will the cloud away by pretending it's not there, or by feigning happiness, or by drowning ourselves in work.

Second - and it's important to note that this is in tandem with the first point above, and that they are not mutually exclusive - is that there's more to see behind the cloud. The implication here is that, while the cloud is in front of us, there is something beyond, and all we know about that place beyond the cloud is that it is the source of a shimmering beauty. But another key; we don't know if there's more clouds behind that cloud. Or, if our perspective isn't quite in check, we may not know if there's actually a bigger cloud behind the cloud we think we're looking at. Clouds are messy business, especially when it feels like you're wearing a pair of broken glasses that are tinted the colour of clouds. What we do know, though, is that behind all of that unknown dreary grey seems to be a warm, bright, beautiful light, and the glimpse of it we see in the lining of the cloud are the qualities of that light shining through the darkness.

A quick note on the Sun - it doesn't ask for any recognition. It doesn't only bestow its warmth and life-giving energy on a certain subset of the population. The sun just shines. That's all it really knows how to do. It just shoots out rays to whoever can get them. And sometimes, clouds get in the way. And skyscrapers, too. And sometimes trees. But that's not the point. The point is that the sun is pretty untalented, but the thing it does, it does really amazingly, skillfully, and indiscriminately well. And in seeing a glimpse of that amazing skill in the linings around the cloud, we remember that there is, in fact, lots of things we're gaining throughout this whole ordeal.

Many humans, organizations, and institutions have been like the Sun in this situation we're in. The volunteers buying groceries for their elderly and immuno-compromised neighbours. The pets who have absorbed triple the hugs and pets from their owners and friends. The neighbours who have pasted messages of hope and togetherness. The first responders - gosh, the first responders who risk their lives and those of their families to keep us healthy, safe, and hopeful. The scientists and researchers racing to find us a treatment, a cure, and a vaccine. The fitness trainers, yoga teachers, and dance instructors keeping us healthy and fit during this time. The grocery clerks, Uber and taxi drivers, and public transit workers keeping us well fed, and moving us from place to place in this critical time.

In fact, many behaviours have been indicators that we will once again see the Sun. There is greater connection with loved ones through video chat. More time spent outdoors. Greater investment in oneself through meditation, reading, learning a new skill, and fitness. Increased charitable giving. More time spent with family. The consumption of healthier, home-cooked meals.

As clouds pass through the sky, so too will this era of our lives. The ground will remain wet for quite a while, but the sun will again shine. We've already seen glimpses of it.