Reflecting on COVID-19 realities

The notion of “sabbatical” is based on the Hebrew practice of “shmita”, which is an agricultural tradition.  In the seventh year the land is released of expectation; it lies fallow.  Indeed, the words “sabbatical” and “Sabbath” are two peas of the same pod.  With the biblical concept of Sabbath, one is mandated to release and rest on the seventh day. 

 

In the early weeks of our co-existence with the COVID-19 virus, I found myself fretting, worrying, itching to find something to do that could move life closer to the fruitful model my dental team and I all knew like the back of our hands. 

 

I continue to take very seriously my call to help the people of the Tri-State region with the management of urgent and emergent dental woes, but today I have also found peace in my embrace of the sabbatical that COVID-19 has imposed.  Even in the face of assorted stresses, I am being intentional about using my release from normal duties to renew myself in a holistic, mind-body-spirit manner. 

 

Once our social limitations have been lifted, we will need time to re-acquaint ourselves with life.  What can we trust?  What are our priorities?  But as with the Hebrew practice of shmita, we are called to plant and tend new seeds when we come off of sabbatical.  I’ll look forward to seeing and meeting you once again in the field where life embraces human togetherness. 

Tagged In: Covid 19