Friends and colleagues from China have been telling me for weeks that they worry about us. Who's us? Us, westerners.

The reason was put this way. Us westerners don't follow the rules well. We're too "free-spirited". I had to pause to digest this one. Being free-spirited can be a bad thing? And then it hit me.

While we are inching towards a complete lockdown in the west, a good two months after Asia went into full repair mode, I hear stories of companies still keeping their employees at work. This comes on the heel of local authorities asking everyone to stay at home unless they absolutely have to go to work.

One of my Asian friend's worry was that we would go to work because we fear to lose workdays and not get paid. The worry is warranted. Our healthcare structure is not made to handle emergencies, even less pandemic problems.

While authorities are grappling with how to ask people to stay at home, the underlying problem remains. What is needed for a population to feel secure its health is more important than the finances of giant corporations? Perhaps, this Covid-19 is a blessing in disguise. Now that many are home. We can take the time to examine our values and the lives we lead. I know I'm re-evaluating everything. For the first time in a decade, I'm contemplating a career move.

The air smells the same.

The clouds in the sky have the same shape.

The ground beneath my feet still feels the same.

Nothing feels different except for the lingering feeling.

That feeling is that of an expectation fed by media frenzy.

One country stands above the noise, Taiwan.

And it feels like the quiet before the storm.

There is a palpable feeling of wait until it hits.

Whatever it is, that “hit” has no shape and no shadows.

But its anticipation runs deep with anxiety.

Surprisingly, I feel quiet and grounded.

The flood of anxiety has given way to inner quietude.

I’ve seen worse, much worse. I feel I’ve been through so many catastrophes. This is no different. They might not have been in this lifetime. Some feel so old, they are ingrained in my DNA. I don’t know why. I just have a vague sensation. Today, we sense a wave coming. Its swelling is a tsunami that already washed out Europe.

What’s next? Quiet quietude. Sitting quietly getting in touch with the inner Master. There’s nothing much we can do but recap, regroup, learn the high lessons, cement the foundations, and sit firmly grounded in Love, with a capital L.

What else is there to do?