DDEMYSTIFYING OUR PERCEPTION OF SPACE

If the concept of time can be demystified using the notion of frequency of camera clicks, then it's not too far fetched that a hockey stick can help do the same thing for the concept of space.

Maintaining a safe hockey stick length from others offers the best way to stop the spread of the virus but, paradoxically, this distancing practice has brought people much closer together emotionally. As Kate, a kind friend from Sydney, Australia writes insightfully, "Physical distancing from friends and family is indeed difficult, but also serves to intensify our love for them." 

Indeed, during this Covid time, I've never felt more in tune with my neighbors. Friendly hellos and at a distance conversations have knit our community together. One neighbor is making masks with cotton fabric and elastics, another is shopping for seniors while children everywhere adorn windows with encouraging signs and rainbows for front line workers. I'm sure that you could add numerous such stories of your own.

Moreover, as well as neighborhoods, the virus has helped to unify our entire global community. Over the past last thirty days, I've embarked on a little project that has made me feel part of this phenomenon. Every morning, I scan over my email contact list and then sent out a friendly note to someone I haven't spoken to or written to in a long while. I've heard back from people all over the world including Benedict in South Korea, Derek in San Francisco, Jacqueline from Spain, Chelsea in Australia and Brent in Belgium. Their kindness and support indeed makes the space between us seem insignificant.

My sincere hope is that once we've put our distancing hockey sticks away, the bonds that have conquered the space between us remain the lasting positive legacy of this dreadful pandemic.