Let's Go Back

In recent weeks, in the midst of coronavirus, there have been calls to return, to go back to what was before, to return to "normal."

I'm in agreement.  Let's go back.

Let's go back ... and back ... and back ... and back ...

Let's go back to before there were iPads, tablets, smart phones, iPhones.  Let's go back to before mobile and cell phones.  Let's go back to before everyone had a constant-and-continuous-contact-contraption in their hand, or back pocket, or in their handbag or backpack.

Maybe we would rediscover the joy and ease of face-to-face communication.  Maybe we would find we're not quite so stressed.  Maybe we would find it relaxing to not be under constant pressure to respond ... immediately!

Let's go further back.  Let's go back to before there was television and a computer in every household.  Let's go back to before we became obsessed with the goggle box in the living room.

Maybe then we would re-connect with each other, our families and loved ones.  Maybe we wouldn't be as scared by the nightly news of mayhem, disaster, and terror.  Maybe we would read or tell each other stories.

Let's go back to before airline companies began jetting us all around the globe.

We might then recognise the beauty of our local countryside.  We might learn to slow down.  We might not put tourist pressure upon local communities, we might not force communities into tourism dependence.  We might not contribute thousands upon thousands of tonnes of CO₂ to the atmosphere.

Let's go back to before the combustion engine was invented.  Let's go back to before we locked ourselves into a heavy four-wheeled metal and plastic container in order to get from A to B.

Maybe we would enjoy slowing down for a change.  Maybe we would notice more as we pass by at a slower pace.  Maybe we would notice the trees, or the smell of fangipani, or freshly baked bread.  Maybe we would stop if something caught our eye, or if a neighbour called out a cheery "hullo."  Maybe we would feel the earth beneath us, rather than simply something to pass over.  Maybe we wouldn't need all those billions of barrels of oil every day.

Let's go back to when we knew where our next meal was coming from.  Let's go back to knowing and trading with the farmer down the road, or the baker at the corner of the street.  Let's go back to when we had a garden around our house.

We might then appreciate the freshness of fruit and vegetables.  We might look forward to harvest time.  We might enjoy the ever-changing seasonality of the plants we gain nourishment from.  We might also learn the names of those who contribute to that nourishing.

Yes, let's go back ... and back ... and back ... and back ...

We might enjoy it.  We might discover a thing called community again.  We might find ourselves less stressed, less depressed, less anxious.  We might discover that nature nourishes, heals, and calms us.  We might notice our air and water quality is a lot cleaner and clearer.

We might discover each other.  We might discover our own selves.

We might never want to go forward again!