Skip to main content

My personal reflection on the 2020 situation (and other contagious stuff)

So this article is a bit different from my other content, but I guess such a peculiar situation merits a peculiar reflection.

As we approach the end of 2020 and prepare to receive a new year, I have felt inspired to share my own personal metaphor for the virus pandemic.

This year my heart has been touched and moved in new, interesting ways. I am humbled to see so many acts of love and honest concern for our neighbors. For our loved ones, for strangers, for our most vulnerable, and for the world as a whole.

I know most of us are really hoping for a vaccine to be available as soon as possible (make some noise if you resonate with that). And most of us have become truly more aware of how we are all connected. And, of course, this is something we already knew, but the numbers and data on contact tracing and statistics have really given us a clearer picture of how we are all really connected.

As we interact with the world, moving around, touching things, simply existing, we are creating a real network of interactions. We are sharing, giving and taking tangible and intangible things we carry and bring to new places, to our friends, to our homes... which impact our lives and our world profoundly.

Now we are truly interested in getting this vaccine, and also in making sure others also get it because we are more aware of the concept of contagiousness and immunity.

Now we are truly using powers we’ve always had but didn’t realize. The power to stop the spread of something that is contagious and that we know is bad. It’s bad for some and even worse for others...

And this got me thinking... (Oh come on, hear me out; I am allowed a bit of cheesy holiday talk these days) What if we only realized we also have that power to stop the spreading of negative emotions, which are also contagious, and are very bad for us and even worse for others.

What if we all got really invested in stopping the spread of emotionally contagious agents such as a bad attitude, bad words, lies (e.g. fake news), malicious intentions, greed, envy... and in doing so we stopped the spreading of fear, anger, confusion and would be really contributing to spread and sustain kindness, trust, peace of mind, healthy attitudes and actions, in our home, our workplace, our groups and communities.

And yes, I know we already know this, but we also already knew we should take care of ourselves with the flu and we were already (kind’a) doing it... But now we are really making momma proud cleaning and sanitizing all the way to that last corner, right? Are we doing it because we’re scared? Mmm, maybe... Let me rephrase that better: We are doing it more consciously now because we trust the solution, we trust the preventive measure we’re taking and we trust it will lead to the desired outcome, which is health. And our mental health is just as important.

So, yeah. That’s that. I wanted to close this [insert adjective of your choice here] year with a reflection on connection, contagious stuff and trust.

May we all have a magical new year 2021. Take care.


Bonus note: I have updated this blog entry to include a link to a mental exercise (a life-hacking tool, you might say). This link will take you to a short guided meditation on creation, attraction and feeling truly connected to the world, which is in essence the idea of this article, and you will also find it useful in visualizing your inspirations towards manifestation.

The benefits of meditation would probably be the subject of a different blog entry, but for now I leave you with this meditation I have personally prepared and recorded, and hope you find it empowering and inspirational. (Guided meditation)


-Kristal Pastor
B.S. in Psychology - Universidad Intercontinental, Mexico
Diploma in Neuromarketing and Market Intelligence - Universidad Anahuac, Mexico
Diploma in Comprehension and Intervention of the Elderly in the 21st century - Universidad Intercontinental, Mexico

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn (Kristal's LinkedIn profile)

Para leer este blog en español, visita Hackeando la vida con psicología

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why I started this blog

Hello and thanks for reading! I first started writing this blog as a psychology student, fascinated about approaching everything in life from a psychological perspective. I know, that’s a rather ambitious quest; after all, I don’t want to miss on the bliss of simply enjoying experiences without giving too much thought to them. Still today, after having finished my B.S. in Psychology and pursuing studies in Neuromarketing and Market Intelligence, I keep seeing life as a never-ending learning process and I am passionate about researching interesting subjects to bask in the beauty of discovering more about life and the new gripping paths that unfold in this ever-changing world of ours. So, enough said, I have started this blog to share some of the subjects I have felt intrigued about, and what I found out on them. Go ahead, check out the titles and see if any of them catches your eye. -Kristal Pastor B.S. in Psychology - Universidad Intercontinental, Mexico Diploma in Neuromarketi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mind tricks & marketing: How ads pull you in

Advertisements surround us every day, vying for our attention, wallets, and loyalty. Ever wondered why certain social media ads have an almost hypnotic power over your scrolling thumb? What makes you pause, double-tap, or swipe up when faced with a sponsored post? How do these digital promotions know just what you want to see? In today's world of social media, where your every click—and even eye movement—is monitored, the psychology behind online advertising is more relevant than ever. So, let's peek behind the advertising curtain. 1. The power of emotions: Ads often tap into our emotions because they know feelings drive decisions. Whether it's that heartwarming puppy commercial or the adrenaline-pumping sports car ad, emotions play a starring role. Research shows that emotionally charged ads are not only more memorable but also more persuasive. Marketers use colors, music, and stories to evoke specific emotions, connecting their product with the feelings they want you to...
Post a Comment
Read more

How “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” Quietly Mirrors the 5 Soul Wounds

I recently rewatched Puss in Boots: The Last Wish , expecting a light, entertaining sequel with great animation and a few laughs. What I didn’t expect was an emotional gut-punch… and a quiet invitation to look deeper. Somewhere between the wolf’s chilling whistles and Perrito’s tender optimism, it hit me: this movie might just be a subtle allegory for the five soul wounds described by Lise Bourbeau—rejection, abandonment, humiliation, betrayal, and injustice. Now, I know the creators haven’t said anything about this connection. But once the idea took root, I couldn’t unsee it. Each main character seems to embody one of these wounds—not just as a backstory device, but as the emotional engine behind their behavior, choices, and transformations. Let me walk you through what I saw. Maybe you’ll see it too. 🐱 Puss in Boots — Rejection The legendary, fearless Puss is down to his last life. For the first time, he’s not just running from danger—he’s running from himself . Underneath all...
Post a Comment
Read more