Amidst this Covid crisis society is going through massive shifts — shifts in our values, focus and behavior. On the surface it has resulted in people wearing masks, toilet paper shortages and long lines at the fast food drive thru. However, the deep structure of our human interactions and decision-making is quietly and slowly being transformed. These new ways of operating, over time, fundamentally alter the way we see the world we live in — our safety, how we relate to each other, how we spend our money, what is important. How one adapts to these challenges varies widely and largely depends on social networks and available resources. This lack of common experience and disparity in our ability to respond adds to the confusion, anxiety and stress we all feel.
Responses to any ongoing crisis solidify over time. People talk about returning to “normal,” but after two years, what is normal? While surface changes may seem insignificant, the deep structure that supports the surface is under a dramatic reconstruction.
Rather than being guided by some organized cabal, these shifts appear to be driven by millions of individuals acting in their own interests, using imperfect and often flawed information — attempting to adapt to complex, dynamic, unseen forces. No one understands or can predict the future. No one is in complete control, and the long-term impacts of this pandemic are largely unknown.
Ironically, it is during these moments that opportunity for meaningful change exists. Many of us have spent the past two years evaluating who we are, what we are doing, and why we do it. It has provided a moment of reflection and an occasion to reconstruct our lives. Some individuals and businesses are better positioned to capitalize on these unforeseen shifts. For example, during the pandemic the pizza industry saw a 21-percent increase in business — benefiting from years of investment in technology and delivery infrastructure. The work shown here uses the humble pizza box as a metaphor to explore the changes, challenges and opportunities we all face as we strive to construct a better future.
there is an awesome book that covers the topic of imperfection as it relates to human beings…and why accepting our imperfection is a critical jumping off point toward growth….THE SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION (Storytelling And The Search For Meaning) by Ernest Kurrtz and Katherine Ketcham….it cuts to the chase :-)…loved your blog today….I feel lucky to receive it weekly David…your gift for writing is always thoughtful and crisply worded…I hope that you will someday put them together in book form….I will be there waiting for a signed copy!!!