Melanie Esparza - Week 1

Coronavirus has made the last couple of months very strange and somewhat uncomfortable. While I am fortunate enough to have my job and a relatively stable financial situation, I know that this is not the case for many people and I’m both saddened and frustrated with my inability to help. At the same time, this feels like it's been a much-needed break from the unbearably fast pace of life for those fortunate enough to be staying at home during this time. However, there is one clear entity that is benefitting from this situation— earth. For the past couple of weeks, there has been talk about the way that the earth is healing during the shut down of several countries. Pollution is decreasing and the sky is clearer than it has been for years. This has brought up a debate about whether coronavirus is the earth’s way of healing itself and if humans are the problem. The impact that humanity has had and continues to have on earth is undeniable. However, I don’t believe that the cure is the eradication of humans. Instead, I feel that this is a much-needed reminder of how we are all connected. We live in an age of greed and consumerism that has eroded away any sense of community or moral obligation to each other. Moreover, we have forgotten that we need each other in order to thrive. Coronavirus is forcing us to view humanity as a whole while also showcasing the damage we cause the earth on a daily basis. This is all a horrible tragedy, but there is a lot that we can learn from the situation. 

    I expect this class to teach me about spirituality and help me understand things that are just now becoming apparent to me. I have a lot of ideas and thoughts that have never received any validation, and this class seems to be the perfect place. I expect this to be a safe space for personal and spiritual growth, and I’m very excited. 

Image source: http://www.artnet.com/artists/peter-ellenshaw/waves-crashing-on-a-shore-K8FOzvBC9XBIL6cojw6yDQ2

`