It’s easy (and understandable) to become trapped in negative thinking at times like this – so many of us stuck at home or choosing to limit our movements, and all of us unsure of the future. But the smallest action, daily ritual or mantra can be a perfect and priceless antidote.
We’re asking members of our UNE community to share with us what is bringing them joy and hope.
“I have been reading a book called Radical Hope - Ethics in the Face of Devastation, by Jonathon Lear, which is available in the UNE library as an e-book,” says Dr Kim Usher, Professor of Nursing at UNE.
“I have recommended it to my students, many of whom have now read it and found it very helpful in these trying times. It relates to the journey of the Crow nation after colonisation.
“I have also been teaching myself to felt wall hangings and bowls as a way to overcome the isolation of the lockdown, and to remind myself not to keep working into the evenings and weekends.
“Since the pandemic started, I have been meeting with my PhD students every Monday at 9.30am for an hour. This gives me a joyful start to the week and an opportunity to connect with them and catch up with the happenings in their lives.
"It has become a very trusting group, where we discuss issues of relevance to life in the pandemic as well as share insightful stories about research and research methods.”
