COVID 19 is imposing transformations on nearly everyone on this Earth. Whether it brings out the best or worst in us will depend on the maturity of our response.
To better understand, we must first define something called “Formlessness.”
Formlessness is the keystone segment of any significant transformation arc. It is the portion of the change progression in which you feel there is nothing stable to hold onto. Figuratively speaking, it is when you are swinging through the jungle, you’ve let go of the vine you had, and you’re still reaching for the next one. You’re moving through space and time untethered, and you feel nothing will save you should you begin to fall.
All substantial change involves Formlessness. Nothing changes to any significant degree without it. Individuals, groups, and organizations in transformation experience Formlessness. So do nations.
We are hardwired to keep the Formlessness segment of any change progression as short as possible, but the pandemic has ripped the vine from our collective hand, so to speak. We were given little chance to prepare, and the changes we are experiencing are not of our choice. COVID is causing an agonizing delay regarding when the next vine will come along. Our communities, our economies, and our social norms are stuck in Formlessness. Until a vaccine is formulated or an effective treatment developed, there will be no returning to life as we knew it nor will there be any progression toward a new normal.
Formlessness presents a formidable risk, to be sure. But it also provides tremendous opportunity for growth—once again—depending on the maturity of our response.
From a developmental perspective, the most simplistic levels of adult thinking are black-and-white. They tend to be suspicious of nuance, yearning instead for an unsophisticated “right way.” We are seeing an unfortunate level this kind of impulsivity on the national scene. Deflection, xenophobia, and untruths take the place of comprehensive, unified COVID responses.
Reactivity and blame squander opportunities for growth, at best. Division wounds. At its worst, impulsivity compounds our difficulties and only makes things worse.
On the other hand, if we navigate the ambiguity and uncertainty fully present, we are more likely to emerge, not only intact, but improved. If we own our fear, we can more effectively empathize with the fears of others, and empathy is more likely to bring us together.
Practically speaking, it may be time for us to lead our leaders. We can do this by challenging ourselves in several ways:
- In the face of appeals to think tribally, take time to examine and empathize with the arguments coming from the “other side.” Take the time to consume information from sources you tend to avoid.
- Recognize when you are being offered a caricature of other people and refuse to accept it. Spend the energy necessary to inject nuance into the picture that is being offered to you. No group of people is any one thing. Do some research. Try to see complexity, diversity, truth, and richness in the “other.”
- If someone in your life doesn’t share your opinion, temper your argument with listening. Ask questions. Let them speak and let their truth stand. As you’re walking away, endeavor to stretch your mind around the validity of their concerns. Think of listening in this way as a growth exercise.
- Most of all, as best you can, be conscious of how you make meaning. Catch yourself coming to simple conclusions. Know when you’re afraid. Hysterical sheep are often more dangerous than wolves. Catch yourself accepting appeals to your insecurities.
Humanity will eventually emerge from COVID 19. Hopefully, we will look back and say that we responded to this adversity with grace and dignity. When we finally emerge from this prolonged and imposed state of Formlessness, we should aspire to say that we responded with sobriety, generosity, and altruistic courage.