Following the national state of emergency declaration here on March 13, I went through several days of panic, frantic information seeking, then grief.
That's normal. Nothing like this has happened for over 100 years. We are in uncharted territory.
But those emotions have mostly subsided and at this point, and I'm feeling pretty strong and resigned to whatever comes.
Here are some thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic to inspire hope, courage, and gratitude during this difficult time.
That's normal. Nothing like this has happened for over 100 years. We are in uncharted territory.
But those emotions have mostly subsided and at this point, and I'm feeling pretty strong and resigned to whatever comes.
Here are some thoughts on the coronavirus pandemic to inspire hope, courage, and gratitude during this difficult time.
Hope
- People have become more charitable. In my community, a business is giving free food to the community even though they are about to go under.
- Reconciliation is possible. It is time to put aside toxic politics and work for a common goal. I hope there is more of this.
- Treatments are becoming available and are in use around the world. See here. And also see here.
- Plagues and epidemics have always been a part of human history. People got through them, and life went on.
- One day this will be a distant memory.
- Reconciliation is possible. It is time to put aside toxic politics and work for a common goal. I hope there is more of this.
- Treatments are becoming available and are in use around the world. See here. And also see here.
- Plagues and epidemics have always been a part of human history. People got through them, and life went on.
- One day this will be a distant memory.
Courage
- Don't think more than a few days out. Try to stay in the present moment.
- Don't read the news first thing in the morning. Start the day out with a positive morning routine, and do what will fortify your mind before taking on what's unpleasant. If you do read the news, check lots of sources. Read foreign press to get a wider perspective. Try the site Just The News. They are dedicated to keeping the line between facts and opinion separate unlike many news outlets.
- Don't worry about what hasn't happened yet. Deal with the future in the future.
- Focus on the things you can control.
- People all around the world are dealing with similar hardships. You aren't alone.
- Don't read the news first thing in the morning. Start the day out with a positive morning routine, and do what will fortify your mind before taking on what's unpleasant. If you do read the news, check lots of sources. Read foreign press to get a wider perspective. Try the site Just The News. They are dedicated to keeping the line between facts and opinion separate unlike many news outlets.
- Don't worry about what hasn't happened yet. Deal with the future in the future.
- Focus on the things you can control.
- People all around the world are dealing with similar hardships. You aren't alone.
Gratitude
- Be grateful for little things. A hot shower. A roof over your head. The companionship of family. And so on.
- Imagine how the situation could be much worse. It could be World War III. Be grateful for peace. Or, to use an example from history, you could have to choose between suicide and surrender to Caesar like Cato the Younger. Be grateful it's not as bad as all that.
- We've had things good for a long time in the developed world. Some of us didn't appreciate it. Maybe now we'll stop complaining about trivial matters.
- With challenge, comes opportunity. This time is a chance to focus on things that you might have been too busy to do otherwise. For me, I'm grateful for the chance to jump back into homeschooling my son based on what's important to our family. This is a chance to model and teach virtue. You can read about that in my post here.
"Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every area of your life." - Rumi
How about you? Please share your thoughts on how you're coping during this difficult time.
~
Read Next:
A Meditation on Courage: 2 Techniques for Overcoming Anxiety
5 Ways to Avoid Being Manipulated and Dumbed Down by the Media
How to Be a Badass According to Cicero
- Imagine how the situation could be much worse. It could be World War III. Be grateful for peace. Or, to use an example from history, you could have to choose between suicide and surrender to Caesar like Cato the Younger. Be grateful it's not as bad as all that.
- We've had things good for a long time in the developed world. Some of us didn't appreciate it. Maybe now we'll stop complaining about trivial matters.
- With challenge, comes opportunity. This time is a chance to focus on things that you might have been too busy to do otherwise. For me, I'm grateful for the chance to jump back into homeschooling my son based on what's important to our family. This is a chance to model and teach virtue. You can read about that in my post here.
"Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every area of your life." - Rumi
How about you? Please share your thoughts on how you're coping during this difficult time.
~
Read Next:
A Meditation on Courage: 2 Techniques for Overcoming Anxiety
5 Ways to Avoid Being Manipulated and Dumbed Down by the Media
How to Be a Badass According to Cicero
