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Do we really want things to go back to normal? Are you sure?

One definition of normal is to be healthy in mind and body. Ahhh … that strikes a chord, doesn’t it? A global, unprecedented turn of events has focused the entire world’s attention away from life as normal. Now it’s on our collective health and its very personal impact as well as the dire, economic consequences to each individual on the planet when things go catastrophically awry.

The COVID-19 virus is very different than anything we have ever faced before.

It has certainly gotten our attention, hasn’t it? Talk about a teachable moment – a huge opportunity for learning, reflection and potential change if we choose to grasp it.

Isn’t it amazing that despite our collective need for the Earth’s resources to sustain us, including its unfortunate exploitation out of greed for profit and self-enrichment, we are instead unwittingly healing damage to the planet despite ourselves! Air pollution in cities is disappearing due to lack of traffic and reductions in industry.

Water is clearing in canals and bays with less marine commerce and runoff from factories.

With our recreational excursions into parks and preserves limited, plants and wildlife in these natural habitats are being allowed to thrive.

There are also humanitarian gains being made within local and state governments, businesses, education and communities everywhere.

In this lies the potential for greater global cooperation and understanding of our reliance on this fragile planet and one another.

Can we embrace the possibility that our often excessive and habitual approach to life is far less beneficial than a leaner, more self-aware outlook with the flexibility to maximize and conserve unique strengths and resources? By more realistically exploring and weighing the benefits and consequences of our actions, putting the needs of the environment up there with our own as stewards of this planet, the resulting restoration and balance will ultimately support and protect us all!

Might we intentionally choose to continue this forward momentum when the COVID-19 virus has run its course? When will another chance like this allow us the extraordinary environmental and humanitarian gains we have achieved to date and to come in the months ahead? Can we make preparations to reorient our personal lives, educational goals and business plans and deploy people back to work with new purpose and vision?

What better time to make a vow to honor those taken by this virus as well as the many heroes who continue to put themselves selflessly in harm’s way to benefit us all! The opportunity to create a new normal is now if we choose to take it.

Bonacic is a former college administrator who retired last year after 30 years managing student services programs. She moved from California one year ago and resides near Snee Oosh Point.