I hear this story a long time ago but don't know where it came from. I thought it was perfect for our COVID-19 forced introspection.

The Source of All Things, or God as many call it gathered three of the biggest Earth gods, namely the god of the sea, air, and Earth. The Source of All Things wasn't happy with humans. They were not using their divinity well and were abusing it. You see, back then mankind could fly, warp space without ill-effects, and manifest anything. But it was resisting using divinity for its own betterment. The Source of All Things decided to hide it from humans so that they would develop a finer appreciation of this divine gift.

The Source of All Things asked the god of the seas where he thought humanity's divinity should be hidden. The god of the seas said that it would be best to hide it in the deepest depths of the oceans where mankind couldn't reach it.

After a brief moment, The Source of All Things said that one day mankind would learn to build sea vessels and explore every inch of the seafloor.

So then the god of the Earth said that it could be hidden in the deepest caves of the planet. But again, the Source of All Things said that one day too, mankind would learn to build vehicles and explore every inch of the Earth.

Finally, the god of the air shyly said they could hide it in the highest stratospheres... but again, the Source of All Things said that one day humankind would learn to build aircraft and fly to the highest reaches of the air.

Failing to see that the Source of All Things was also testing the gods of Earth, sea, and air, it paused and said: "Ah hah. Here's where it can be hidden. In a placed it will never think to look for. Right there, in the deepest depth of their hearts where silence rules supreme!"

I thought this unknown author hit it just right as we are feeling a sense of facing the unknown with the fear that it can bring.

"Me: Hey God.

Like many the idea of facing the unknown of offer tougher than actually facing the unknown. It can take years and sometimes decades before we can get past a block like that.

Meeting the real us within is often traumatizing. Well, at least the idea seems daunting until we meet ourselves and realize we had nothing to fear but fear itself. In many ways, the Covid-19 pandemic is forcing many teaching moments in our societies. While billionaires and wannabe leaders fret at their dwindling fortunes, for the most part, we're doing OK.

But the teaching moment isn't quite here yet. After 56 days of restlessness, people are walking out. The local Ralph's, the western version of Kroeger is letting everyone in, no more waiting in line outside anymore. It's funny to think about how many years WWI and II lasted. How many years did the Spanish Flew pandemic last? 56 days might seem long but it is nothing with what our mothers and fathers went through.

We are asked to review our ways. We are asked to balance our expectations. We are given the time to go within and ask the simple question: "What do you need?"

As for me, I always felt I was born differently and am different. I always love the idea of a more just and balanced society. I love watching Star Trek and resonate profoundly when thinking about how their society functions. It is time to stop and think, just think. It starts with something as simple as that.

After that, we can then meet us within. We see that the idea of the unknown is far scarier than the actual unknown. We finally see that life does work well and that despite life's seemingly unjust tribulations, the Universe was just and gentle with us. Our reactions might not have been but the Work is just and well done.

Meet me inside. Me has been waiting for you for a long time. Come and meet your best friend that has always been, me within.

Most French people grew up with the famed La Fontaine fable about the ant struggling away during summer while the grasshopper is partying telling it to relax. Although La Fontaine gets the credit, the fable is far older. The Grasshopper and the Ant is one of Aesop's many Fables.

The gist is simple. The grasshopper enjoys the summer days. It parties, plays music, dances, eats, drinks, and simply has a jolly old time. It sees the ant scurrying away food, working all day long, rarely taking a break. It doesn't understand the ant at all. It asks it why won't it relax and enjoy the summer days. But the ant holds fast to its strict discipline and tells the grasshopper that it is planning ahead. The grasshopper makes fun of the ant and continues on with its debauchery.

That is... until winter comes along and the grasshopper is left with no food, cold, and hungry. The grasshopper asks the ant for help. Hence the moral of the story is about the virtue to work hard and plan ahead for rainy days.

Does this sound eerily familiar? Most US families start their month with no money in their bank accounts. They rely on working to pay for their credits. It's not too difficult to predict the outcome with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home orders. It's easy to see how some are restless and worried about not being able to have for the four foundations; food, shelter, mobility, and utilities. So what will happen when many wake up in a few weeks with no resources?

Maybe this explains the back at work movement, although to the discerning, the excitement feels more like nefarious manipulations.