Everyone, including me, is recognizing that we are all on this covid-19 ship together. We are talking about it, writing about it, and reminding one another about it. Almost every email, virtual meetup, phone conversation, and blog post begins or ends with this same shared sentiment.

We are all in this together.

I couldn’t agree more.

The thing I keep pondering is, what, exactly, does that mean?

It means things like the fact that we are all susceptible to this very contagious virus. We all have a part to play in slowing the spread. We are all impacted by the downward financial spiral. We are collectively learning new practices reflecting new phrases: Sheltering-in-place. Social distancing. Self-quarantine. When we hoard for ourselves, we cause others to go without. When we buy only a little more than what we need, others can stock their shelves too. When we choose courage over fear, others find strength to do the same. When we spiral out in panic, those around us get swept up in our tornado. Like I said. We are all in this together.

Which means we all arrived here together, and all have a responsibility to take ownership for our part in getting here.

Every. Single. One. Of. Us.

Because at a deep level, far beneath the ever-widening political divide, I believe this is a time of great reckoning for us all. Or at least it can be if we choose to be brave enough to show up and fearlessly face ourselves, our beliefs, our politics, our choices, our biases, and our judgements of others.

Are we willing to hear why others see the world differently than we do?

Are we willing to learn about their fears and understand their concerns?

Are we willing to hear their stories and find even a small part of ourselves in their narrative?

Are we willing to learn about our blind spots that keep us from seeing others?

Are we willing to participate in the healing of wounds and the righting of wrongs, even when it is costly?

Are we willing to love our neighbor as ourself, even when we don’t agree with them?

Are we willing to step up and be part of the solutions needed to help our shared world?

Are we willing to speak up and take part in creating a new story that makes room for us all?

Are we willing to show up and bring the best of ourselves to the world around us?

The choices we make in answering those questions will have ripple effects the size of tidal waves. We can either be part of righting our ship, or steering it toward disaster.

We are all in this together.