Six Degrees
Among the many gifts of Covid-19, is the reminder of the close connection of we humans. There is a sociological principle which states that there is only six degrees of separation between you or me and every person in the world; there are only six people between us and every person in the world – we know someone who knows someone who knows someone, etc. In terms of the virus it is easy to see how quickly it can pass from one person to two to many even if precautions were taken such as were on the cruise ships or the military ship. The good news is, of course, that we can pass along positive energy in the forms of a smile or a small good deed just as efficiently. If, for example, one of us makes a point of sharing a smile with the post office clerk, the store clerk or even the stranger we see across the way at the gas pump we can infect many people. In the case of the post office clerk, for example, if she or he received the smile and passes it along to the next 30 people she or he serves and those people pass it along to even 5 people who each pass it along to at least 5 people who ….. It soon becomes obvious the smile can spread even faster than Covid-19. Sadly, anger, resentment, meanness or other negatives can spread just as quickly.
Since the arrival of Covid-19 or perhaps I should say since many of us were forced to respond to Covid-19 there have been numerous positive examples of our human connections. Whether it has been making masks, working long hours as health care professionals (often without proper equipment), working at grocery stores, the post office, the public works department, picking up our garbage, serving in some local or state government service capacity, adjusting to teaching on line, volunteering to help in all manner of ways or just being patient when services or goods are not available, most members of the community are spreading the best of who we are as humans faster than even Covid 19 can spread.
Stress we know has a negative effect on our immune systems. Likewise, positive interaction such as a smile, a friends word, or being patient has a positive effect on our immune system. I am not naively suggesting that a smile will, by itself, ensure that one can survive a visit of Covid-19. I am suggesting that it can help both with fighting the virus and in improving the quality of life. This life journey is, after all, very brief. What counts today is the quality of our lives. For today we do not have an effective treatment for many of those with Covid-19 and we do not have a vaccine. We have the ability to improve the quality of the life of all those with whom we have an in person or virtual interaction. We do have the ability to social distance, to wear a mask and to not hoard necessary supplies of goods. Some of us may have the ability to prepare and drop off a meal or nurture each other in some other ways.
Many, throughout the ages, have taught about the power of intentional living. If we begin each day with a clear intention of keeping relationships and not tasks primary and if we stop for even one section to remind ourselves several times throughout the day we will make manifest the power of what Norman Vincent Peale, The Dali Lama, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and many others have taught. There are only six degrees of separation separating each of us or bringing each of us together.
Written April 14, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
Among the many gifts of Covid-19, is the reminder of the close connection of we humans. There is a sociological principle which states that there is only six degrees of separation between you or me and every person in the world; there are only six people between us and every person in the world – we know someone who knows someone who knows someone, etc. In terms of the virus it is easy to see how quickly it can pass from one person to two to many even if precautions were taken such as were on the cruise ships or the military ship. The good news is, of course, that we can pass along positive energy in the forms of a smile or a small good deed just as efficiently. If, for example, one of us makes a point of sharing a smile with the post office clerk, the store clerk or even the stranger we see across the way at the gas pump we can infect many people. In the case of the post office clerk, for example, if she or he received the smile and passes it along to the next 30 people she or he serves and those people pass it along to even 5 people who each pass it along to at least 5 people who ….. It soon becomes obvious the smile can spread even faster than Covid-19. Sadly, anger, resentment, meanness or other negatives can spread just as quickly.
Since the arrival of Covid-19 or perhaps I should say since many of us were forced to respond to Covid-19 there have been numerous positive examples of our human connections. Whether it has been making masks, working long hours as health care professionals (often without proper equipment), working at grocery stores, the post office, the public works department, picking up our garbage, serving in some local or state government service capacity, adjusting to teaching on line, volunteering to help in all manner of ways or just being patient when services or goods are not available, most members of the community are spreading the best of who we are as humans faster than even Covid 19 can spread.
Stress we know has a negative effect on our immune systems. Likewise, positive interaction such as a smile, a friends word, or being patient has a positive effect on our immune system. I am not naively suggesting that a smile will, by itself, ensure that one can survive a visit of Covid-19. I am suggesting that it can help both with fighting the virus and in improving the quality of life. This life journey is, after all, very brief. What counts today is the quality of our lives. For today we do not have an effective treatment for many of those with Covid-19 and we do not have a vaccine. We have the ability to improve the quality of the life of all those with whom we have an in person or virtual interaction. We do have the ability to social distance, to wear a mask and to not hoard necessary supplies of goods. Some of us may have the ability to prepare and drop off a meal or nurture each other in some other ways.
Many, throughout the ages, have taught about the power of intentional living. If we begin each day with a clear intention of keeping relationships and not tasks primary and if we stop for even one section to remind ourselves several times throughout the day we will make manifest the power of what Norman Vincent Peale, The Dali Lama, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and many others have taught. There are only six degrees of separation separating each of us or bringing each of us together.
Written April 14, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
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