The Blackest Swan

by Phillip Krynski

It’s been a number of months since the Coronavirus first unleashed its fury on our planet. Yesterday marked the start of Australia's Phase Two lockdowns which means many businesses and public spaces have been shut down, and citizens have been told to stay home. The government expects there to be two million unemployed Australians in the next month, and Centrelink’s online portal has even crashed under the weight of thousands of worried Australians in financial distress. In the next ten days, cases of COVID-19 in the country are estimated to reach 10,000 and who knows how many will die. Needless to say, these are certainly dire and unprecedented times. 

Like many across the globe, I have been frantically refreshing the news at every opportunity to see the latest updates. Whether it’s the new daily record of deaths in Italy, fresh government restrictions, or another industry destroyed, there is no escape from the headlines. Previous generations endured great wars, but we have a new war on our hands and this one is microscopically infecting the whole planet. It’s been a long day and I need some space for my mind to focus, so I’ve decided to grab my bike and head out the door.  

Now out on the open streets, I discover very few cars to avoid as the night air chills my face. It's only 8pm, but the traffic is unusually sparse. I pedal to nearby Albert Park Lake and find a secluded wooden bench to perch on. I finally close my eyes and am able to breathe in the stillness. I focus on my breath and sit for a while.  

In..  

Out..  

In..  

Out..  

My eyes open a millimetre and I can barely make out three silhouettes gliding towards me on the lake’s surface. 

Out of the darkness appear a family of majestic black swans as if they had travelled across the lake just to meet me. I kneel down on the ground and gesture to them as they greet me with quacks from the parents and a cheep from the baby. Nature is so beautiful, even amidst a crisis. These birds have no conception of the panic that is taking place across the world; how I envy them. A pang of guilt runs through me as I recall the KFC Zinger burger I ate two days prior. I have been a vegetarian for two years, and perhaps in a moment of weakness I succumbed to the indulgence of a fried chicken burger. I mentally send my apologies to the swans and pledge not to eat their friends again. Whilst watching them swim away again into the darkness, I wonder if there is any possible symbolism in these beautiful black swans. I consult Professor Google and almost drop my phone in surprise. 

"Black Swan Theory refers to unexpected events of large magnitude and consequence and their dominant role in history”. This theory was developed by scholar and statistician Nassim Nicholas Taleb who described the rise of the internet, World War 1 and the September 11 attacks as ‘Black Swan Events’. COVID-19 is one hell of a Black Swan Event. The news has been calling it a one-in-a-hundred-year global catastrophe. Talk about symbolism! My black swans are a hell of a sign! It’s often during trying times like these that my mind shifts towards thoughts of my deceased grandfather.  

Even now I have thick tears in my eyes as I remember how we played tennis and golf, and about the time he took me for my first driving lesson at 12 years of age (without my mum’s knowledge). Saba, as we called him, was an incredibly kind and smart man to whom I always knew I could look for guidance in any situation. He wasn’t just my grandfather, he was one of my best friends and mentors. In 2006 he revealed the confronting news that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Leukaemia, a battle which he lost within a year. This came as a seismic shock to our family because he had been so fit and active right up until his diagnosis, and we fully expected him to live many years longer.  

Since his death, I think about him a lot. I even came up with the acronym W.W.S.D (What Would Saba Do?). Even from beyond the grave, he is my beacon of morality and logic during confusing times. But acronyms don't make up for him not being here with me. As I lie by the lake, my mind wanders to thoughts about how Saba would respond to everything that is happening in the world right now. I feel lost, and wish he were here to give me answers, because I don’t know if I have many, if any. 

I distract myself and delve deeper into the symbolism of the black swan. I am interested to discover on a website that they are the only breed of swan that is native to Australia. The website continues to say that "in Dreamtime mythology they are a reminder to move from any position where you feel powerless and at the mercy of external forces; it is time to reclaim your personal power. These swans have no natural predator. The black swan carries a confronting truth - you create your own ‘victimhood’. Own this, and you are empowered to move through it and change any disadvantageous situation.” 

I know what Saba would do! He would not be a victim of circumstance. He would do everything in his power to make the most of this situation to help himself and those around him. We are in a rare moment in our lifetime where we are forced to decide whether to sink or swim. There are many forces out of our control and yes, terrible things are happening to people, but our mindset is one thing that no-one can form for us. With a change in mindset, can come a change in action and a change in outcome - and remember to reach out to those around you to support them as well, because they may not ask for it. Our lives, the lives of our families, our friends, colleagues and businesses depend on it. It’s time to spread our majestic black wings and remember that our only natural predator is ourselves.  

Footnote: Remember to stay in your nest, wash your wings and maintain a wingspan of 1.5 meters if you have to go out.

Helpful Resources:

Mindset is one big part of the battle, but there are also real-world implications of this virus that require more than just positive thoughts. Here is a list of services that may help you through the crisis:

COVID-19 Hotline: 1800 020 080

Government Health Information

Business Information & Support

Parent & Teacher Information

Travel Information

Lifeline Support

Centrelink Information