A Paradigm Shift: Looking at the World Through a New Lens

2020. A year like no other. I have been on the planet Earth for six decades. I have spoken to those who lived through World Wars, polio, and the Great Depression. My own children lived through the shock and trauma of 911. Nothing, nothing, has compared to what we have experienced in the six months of the year 2020. There has been a rare paradigm shift and now we are looking at the world through a different lens.

A Shift in our Daily Emotions

We have experienced a global pandemic, political unrest, loss of jobs, loss of lives, racial injustice, and social isolation. There seems to be so much blame. With all that has happened I have witnessed quick judgement. People are judged if they say too much or remain silent. Emotions are shattered. People may express gratitude one moment and by the end of the day after watching the news feel confused and angry again. Stories seems to be exaggerated. We want answers. They seem to be floating out their somewhere but who can we trust to guide us?

I struggle with untruths, half-truths, and idle chatter. And yet we are all so confused about how we are supposed to respond to the events of 2020 when we feel we have little control over the situations we are left to face. And yet, is there really such a thing as having control or is it more a matter of how we cope?

How do we Cope with this Paradigm Shift?

One of the biggest challenges has been the lack of human contact. Seeing someone’s eyes, touching their hand, feeling the comfort of a hug have been sorely missed. As the saying goes, need drives change. We have fulfilled this need through the use of social media platforms to keep up connected for the short term.

A small bit of knowledge applied the right way can help us adapt. There has been innovation born out of the pandemic that have made this paradigm shift a reflection of our resilience. It shines a light on our adaptability and fortitude. I have seen friends in the breast cancer community serving the needs of others that has helped us cope with fear . Raising our collective voices either figuratively or symbolically has tightened our sense of community.

A Paradigm Shift and Words that Matter

Our vocabulary has shifted to words we use often in daily, deliberate conversations. Solidarity, strength, justice, health disparities. Use them often in positive language. They matter. What have we learned from history from past paradigm shifts? I feel certain we need to remain patient beyond what we think we are capable of. It is important to share our grief, celebrate our small moments of pleasure and happiness, and build on what we can learn from history.

Words and communication can bring us together or tear us apart in stressful situations. The lens we look through during this paradigm shift will at times seem out of focus and at other times obvious and clear. Take care with your words, judgment of others, and even your own self-critique. We need to be kind to each other now more than ever.

Disclaimer

References made to my surgical group, surgeon and healthcare team are made because they are aligned with my values and met my criterion after I did research of their practices and success rates. Any other healthcare provider that displays the same skill, compassion education and outreach to patients will be given consideration and recognition on this website.  The information contained on this website is not a substitute for or should be construed as medical advice. Please consult a licensed physician for medical advice.