We are not cut off from the world. Every interaction we have with others and they have with us adds bytes of information to our understanding of life. We form our beliefs and perceptions of the world through our most immediate contact with others. Whether it is the shop keeper who cheerfully greets us as they scan and pack our groceries, the driver who lets us in the traffic or the friend who listens to our story. Each interaction contains the possibility of renewing or destroying our faith in the basic goodness of our fellow human beings.

Author and theologian, Rev. Dr Stephanie Dowrick, suggests that we arrive on this earth with the intention of love rather than harm. As young children we are sensitive to our surroundings. We view ourselves as the central core, like the sun, as life revolves around us. Each interaction, whether with people or objects, gives feedback to support our life perception. We begin to internalize that we are safe and secure. We are nurtured and loved by others. We are taken care of.  We have an innate guidance system to getting these needs met.

We also begin to believe that life is predictable. When we signal to the world that we have a need – for nourishment, physical connection, or personal care, those around us respond. It is obvious when a baby is feeling contentment and their needs are met. Awake they are engaged, smiling and gurgling. If asleep, they are comfortable and content. We soon know if they need us by their cries of distress. Mother nature has served babies well with this form of non-verbal communication which we find difficult to ignore.

The emergence of the toddler is a testament to testing the predictability of this world. A child at this stage behaves in ways to honour their ‘separateness’ from others, realizing they can choose and control their actions. If parents can respond lovingly – fostering independence and decision making while keeping their child safe and secure, they can teach their toddlers a balanced emotional attitude of both autonomy and consideration of others.

The remaining primary emotional need is feeling a sense of significance. We yearn to be valued, recognised, and acknowledged by others. It forms the basis of our reason for existing. Young children crave the attention of others – talking constantly about what they are doing and showing us their play or creations. They love our company. How we respond to their attention seeking shows them the value we place on their existence in this world.

Each of these basic emotional needs – safety, control, and status; remain significant throughout our lives. When any of these needs are unmet, we find it difficult to thrive and flourish. The outcome is a sense of struggling to find our place in the world and experiencing increased mental health issues. The security, love, and acceptance we craved in childhood become our current priority.

When our world is challenging, as it is at the moment, it is important to ensure we can meet our own emotional needs. Our homes become safe havens for our well being and security. They are environments where we can maintain a sense of control over outside circumstances. Maintaining a job or income to sufficiently feed our families becomes paramount. Having some form of physical contact or connection with others who care about us supports our emotional wellness.

Yet there is a world outside our doors. Others in our neighbourhoods, communities and world who are struggling in an unsafe, unpredictable environment. When we remain in our secure, protective ‘bubbles’ we can fail to acknowledge and respond to the predicament of others. These are challenging times but also opportunities to reach out beyond ourselves. To be the world to other people.

Initially we can remain informed of the current situations in our communities. Consciously observing and listening to those around us. Just like children, adults show responses that indicate they are not coping. Anger and frustration may be hiding the more vulnerable emotional responses of fear and sadness. Adults are reluctant to cry as they would have as a baby, yet their basic emotional needs are continually looking to be met. When we acknowledge their experience and value them with our care we provide vital support.

We are the world to those around us. When we are observant of the needs of both ourselves and others, we support the collective physical and emotional well being of our communities. Throughout our lives, our basic emotional needs and experience of love are encountered through connection with others. The challenge in this time of isolation and distancing is maintaining that connection.

Mountain peaks can be seen from great distances rising from the landscape below, true natural wonders of the world. We stand in awe at their base, and marvel at their size. As we ascend to their peaks, we realize just how small we are in the scheme of living things. On arrival we are rewarded with beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscape. There is an expansive view of the world around us.

From the top of a mountain, we are able to witness life from a different perspective bringing us a new awareness

Madisyn Taylor – Daily Om.

Mountains can be analogies to our lives. The journey we take, and the effort required to reach our goals and dreams. The terrain usually starts relatively comfortable as we move into a stride, warming our muscles and building our stamina. As the trail rises, we are usually met with physical challenges that stretch our bodies and minds to the full. The ground uneven and rocky, the way not easily observable. At times we are alone to face these moments and we are drawn to use our own reserves and motivation to continue. Other times we see fellow climbers on the path and can receive encouragement and assistance.

As the summit nears there are often hidden obstacles to navigate and moments of exhaustion mixed with exhilaration knowing the peak is within our grasp. Arrival is a cause for celebration and awe. Taking in the scenery and our own accomplishment. This is momentary as the journey continues either beyond or back down the mountain to where we commenced.

The downhill journey can have its own unique challenges. A different set of muscles and strategies used. We know there is a need to forge on as the mountain top is temporary. A new set of reserves of energy and motivation required until the ground is level and the journey done.

Recently I had a vivid dream climbing a snowy mountain. The cliffs were sheer and smooth. It was cold and uncomfortable. Each stretch of my arm to the next hold was a full extension. I was not alone as I had others on the journey with me. As I came close to the peak, I momentarily glimpsed the most beautiful sunrise vista beyond. There were people at the top who seemed rested and comfortable. I longed to join them.

I could hear calls from below from my group of fellow climbers. They were struggling. I was left with an anxious moment of indecision. Do I head to the peak alone to a space of ease or venture down toward those who needed my help? I was startled awake and felt an exhaustion as if the dream were true. I wondered what it was telling me.

On reflection, the dream paralleled how I have been feeling during the present Covid 19 crisis. This time has presented unique challenges, navigation changes and times of building a level of resilience to continue. Social isolation has been the independent inner journey. As a nation, we have also heard the constant words – ‘We are in this together’. Making decisions to benefit as many as possible. We have felt a sense of unity and purpose amid the chaos.

Thankfully in our own country we are continually progressing toward the peak of the mountain journey of Covid 19. It has been a relatively comfortable and cohesive journey despite the restrictions placed on each of us.

As we navigate our own journey, world media is giving another picture. Developing and overpopulated countries of the world are suffering so much more than ourselves. For the first time in a long time the inequities between the affluent and the poor are openly visible for us to see. What we see we can no longer ignore. These are the people who I heard calling from below in my dream. They need bold solutions to navigate this crisis as much as those closer to home in our families and communities. We are all humanity.

I am glad that we are seeing how even though we share this crisis, its impact is felt differently around the world. Some are sitting comfortably at the peak of this mountain journey. Others are struggling below and need our awareness and advocacy. Hopefully as the journey continues, we can continue to take all humanity in our hearts and hands believing there is a better, more just world beyond the mountain peak.