We are at war with a virus.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
-Confucius
At this point in time, I hope you’re enjoying the world’s shortest commute. We are living in extraordinary times. The bad news is isolation. The good news is that you’re the pilot in charge of your own destiny. Without much warning, we now live in a changing world that continues to evolve at lightning speed. While it’s not easy to surrender to change, we don’t have much choice in the matter. FDR said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Squash fear and vote instead for inner peace.
Keep Calm and Carry On
President Trump has referred to himself as a war time president. We are at war with a virus. Fewer people are working, schools are closed, our economy is slowing down, and a recession might be in our not so distant future. What we do right now as individuals will have an impact on our country as a whole. The WW2 campaign slogans are being repeated because they resonate: We are all in this together; We are in it to win it; and the British slogan of Keep calm and carry on. We can. Ameri-CAN.
Deliberate Acts of Kindness
As we find ourselves with a bit of extra time on our hands, this is clearly a time of pause and compassion for so many who are sick, and for our health care providers who are on the front lines. To worry is not the best use of time, and shelter in place does not have to mean prison, just limited person to person contact. Admittedly it’s not so easy, however, don’t let fear or isolation cut you off from your friends and family. You are separated only for the time being. Join me in these acts of kindness until this health crisis comes to an end:
- Send a card, just because
- Share some of your favorite recipes online
- Check in with the elder in your life; use the telephone for a change!
- Offer to drop off food to someone’s front door
- Give a “take- away” server a big tip
- Send a friend your favorite movie list
- Share your favorite online shopping sites
- Tell your friends how much you appreciate them
- Check in daily with your friends on a group text
- Support your local restaurants that are open for take-out food
- Have a meal delivered to someone who just had a baby
- Put a special note under your child’s pillow
- Pick up trash on the street
- Skype family members who are quarantined
- Donate blood
- Tell your family how much you love them