Social Beings?

Germ phobia

Despite a mountain of contrary evidence, I believe we are best designed as a social species. With all our evolutionary history seems to say about our anxiety about connecting, about being vulnerable to each other, my experience is that the wish to connect is among our deepest longings.

It will be after I have died before we can make much sense of what impact Covid has had on our species.

But we already understand it is profound. and likely long lasting.

Do you suppose we might accept that reality, and find ways to be more emotionally generous with each other? And with ourselves?

Along about six months into the epidemic, I decided to adopt a new habit.

I now make eye contact with, and acknowledge with some sort of greeting, every person I encounter. People walking past on the sidewalk. People living on the street. People collecting trash.

Of course not everyone acknowledges me. But you’d be surprised that the vast majority do.

A smile. “Good morning.” “Nice day.”

I don’t know what they make of it. It changes my relationship to the day. And to myself.

I do the same with dogs, when their human says it’s ok. I hear bird songs I’d never payed attention to. (Try the ap. Merlin and learn which birds are singing.)

It’s a simple practice. It is a hedge against the anxiety I can carry through the day.

I don’t suppose it’s going to rescue us from ourselves, but it’s helping me remember what a miracle it is to find ourselves here together.