Psychologue: 2020: Issue Two
Reflections from Indonesia (Clara Gia Shinta)
As the world is currently facing the COVID 19 pandemic, the cyclical way of life is something that most will take. The life that makes us adapt with the terminology “New Normal”. Most of us need to experience the adjustments life calls for. We adjust our way of working, interacting, praying, socializing, having fun, etc. We adjust our mindset of seeing how the world works.
This pandemic condition has been sort of a sudden attack to our normal way of living life. We lose loved ones, we deal with sickness, we seek help, we cry, we mourn, and face other kinds of misery that we would normally not be facing as often. Personally, I experience the stages of grieving because of this pandemic. I denied that it did not happen for a long time. It only happened for a certain period. I could handle it. It was well with me. Nevertheless, it kept going month after month and I got angry. I lost the opportunity to live a normal life, i.e., dining outside, hanging out with my family, friends, and colleagues as I usually do. I had to isolate myself at home, and even though I was lucky enough to be isolated with my family, we could not do activities as before. I felt frustrated.
Thankfully, I was reminded of lessons given by all my lecturers, professors, and colleagues in PSP and especially the concept of cyclical life which I found out through a book recommended by Dr. Bergquist by Frederick Hudson. I briefly mentioned cyclical life in a previous Psychologue essay thusly:
The cyclical portrays life from childhood to adult years by going through the adolescence phase, as the time of preparation for many directions and opportunity such as: growing up in a family network to experience living with many family forms and activities, traveling, sports, hobbies to developing basic skills, acquiring a global picture of human challenge, technology, events, and building a variety of friendship through social media with comfort, world issues, disagreements, orientations, etc.
I am awake to continue my life with the new normal mind set; with the thought of looking for other opportunities to happen. I thank Thee for having an insight of life that is not a linear one, the life that has seasons for every one of us, the life that has given us an abundance of grace. Let’s live in reality, let us deal with this new normal phase. Let’s try and maintain a healthy mental state; Live with wisdom and common sense. I have gone through the grieving stage and I accept this wonderful side of life.
My gratitude and thankful heart keeps beating for the opportunity to be a part of the PSP community. I never thought before that through this grace, I could meet amazing people, Dr. Bergquist and Dr. Weinberg and great lecturers who would guide and give me new perspectives with which to view myself and the world. I will always remember this campus and the people who would welcome me as an Indonesian, so warmly. As a believer, I will keep PSP, Dr. Bergquist, Dr. Weinberg, and other professors in my prayer.
Blessings,
Clara Gia Shinta
- Posted by William Bergquist
- On May 21, 2020
- 0 Comment