I wish I knew what I want to say today. I have some projects that are exciting, and I love my work, but I miss the energy, synergy and hugs of being shoulder to shoulder with my people.

Then again,when I think of the 95,000 people afloat on the seas of our planet now confined in their luxurious cruise ship prisons, and think perhaps I am lucky.

I remember reading "Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. That sense he drew forth of floating outside if time, outside of life. It has been like that for so many of us in the stricter quarantines, But if you can step out side your front door and put your feet on the ground, there seems to be a better sense of belonging to oneself. Doesn't that seem important right now, to belong to oneself? I had not quite thought about it until now.

There is something extraordinary that comes with being in an extreme situation with a group of people. It doesn't matter how well any of us have known each other before, there will be new and very real bonds formed. Even if the living of life takes these friends far from one another after the crisis, these connections will remain.

Part of this phenomenon , I think, is that we see each other more deeply at these times. Parts of ourselves are called into play that can often have been quiet or seldom used, in this very contained and hightened atmosphere. Of course, one might also find those who they do not really want to meet again.

In these circumstances, it is crucial to apply the universal golden rule. There are two aspects of the rule, and I am putting both of them here: "Try not to do to to others that you would not like them to do to you." and "Try to treat others as you would want them to treat you." L. Ron Hubbard.

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