5 Ways to Remain Connected Despite Social Quarantine
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I think it’s safe to say that most of us probably didn’t see this coming.
How quickly our comfortable little lives turned on a dime.
As our world gets flipped upside-down a little more every day with the spreading coronavirus pandemic, the terms “social distancing,” “shelter-in-place,” and “self-quarantine” have become the new mantras of society.
For those of us who thrive on social interactions, this "indefinite" period might seem like the walls of life are closing in around you. Workplaces, social venues, and religious activities shut down... and your world suddenly gets much smaller.
There’s a great temptation during such an unprecedented time to close in on yourself. To become self-focused, self-centered, and self-serving. After all, if you’re “forbidden” to interact with others, what other choice do you have?
In C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, the demon “Uncle” Screwtape so keenly illuminates the very dangers we humans fall into during a time like this:
“Get them to forget about their usual practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving and encourage them to become gluttons, slanderers, and lose all regard for their neighbor thinking only about themselves and their immediate needs.”
Instead of going down the rabbit hole of Netflix-and-Internet-binging, consider these ways of staying connected to others and to your greater purpose in life.
1. Pick up the phone and call someone.
Anyone.
How often do you actually talk to someone over the phone? Not texting, not sending a Snapchat, but a real, live conversation? Use this time to reignite the art of long-distance friendships and old fashioned phone-dates. With most of the world clearing their calendars for the foreseeable future, I guarantee you’ll get someone to answer your call.
Perhaps you even make it a personal goal to call one person every day. Write a list of friends and family you haven’t caught up with in a while, even before the age of coronavirus. Especially consider calling the more elderly people in your life, who are likely feeling this social isolation more than anyone.
Give the gift of brightening someone’s day with an unexpected phone call. Ask them how you can pray for them. Even a 10-minute conversation will greatly change the outlook of everyone's day.
2. Use social media to spread hope.
It’s edifying when I scroll through my newsfeed and see so many uplifting and encouraging messages. In between all the medical stats, ordinances, and press conferences, we need constant reminders to maintain hope.
Post photos of beauty, truth, and goodness. Share inspiring quotes from saints, scripture, or your own reflections. Go “live” and record a message of encouragement, a song, a rosary. There is never more captive of an Internet audience than now. Use the time to share God’s message of love.
3. Meet someone new.
Our age of online dating holds a great advantage here. Dust off--or revamp-- your CatholicMatch profile and resolve to make some new connections. Devote time every day to looking through potential matches. "Like" some people's profiles. Send messages. Get to know someone (or even lots of people!). Try a virtual first date. Don't be afraid to get creative!
Maybe this time is exactly what you need to truly focus on your search for 'the one.' You've been telling yourself you're too busy to date, work is too demanding, there are too many things on your calendar.... well, guess what? Those excuses are gone. Perhaps God wants to use this time to help you get more intentional.
Even if you aren't swept off your feet by anyone, connecting with others through the CatholicMatch platform helps serve the purpose of staying in touch with humanity. A reminder that there are other people out there who are going through the same things you are.
4. Go outside.
Step outside your own four walls. Every single day. Even if it's just for a few minutes. Fresh air does wonders for your well-being.
I can pinpoint the exact moment when my children have been breathing the same inside air for too long. They get loud and stir-crazy and start bouncing off the furniture. I force them outside (sometimes against their will), and within seconds their whole demeanor changes. Most of us grown-up people probably don't get like that anymore, so let this be your reminder to go outside!
Outside is not "canceled." Go on a walk, run, bike ride. And while you're doing those things, wave at your fellow neighbors from 6 feet away (which is actually plenty close to even have a face-to-face conversation). You could even leave a nice gift on someone's porch, like a note, flowers, or baked goods. Random acts of kindness are also not canceled.
5. Stay connected to God.
While the canceling of nearly all public Masses brings forth much sorrow in our Church, once again our age of technology gives us a great gift. How many online Masses are out there now, every single day? In between watching your next episode of The Office, watch a daily Mass.
Maybe you aren't normally a daily-Mass goer, but this period ignites in you a new love for the Holy Mass. This is also an incredible opportunity to hear preaching from priests around the world, with beautiful messages of hope, courage, and conviction.
Even better, devote time every day for personal prayer. Dust off your Bible, find your rosary beads, sit and be with the Lord. He is with us, perhaps now in such a time of crisis more than ever. If you use this time to grow your prayer life, you'll come out of the age of coronavirus with more than a record of how many movies you watched.
Use this time to become a saint.
Find Your Forever.
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