03/30/2020
I recently was reminded of this quote, Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu
The facts are that we are in the midst of a medical trauma. And if not personally experiencing the trauma of being ill or having a loved one who is ill with the Covid-19 virus, we are witnessing other people’s trauma’s, and absorbing it through internet or news. Additionally we are seeing and hearing the impact on our doctor’s, nurse’s and first responders; and the magnitude is still unknown.
Anxiety is spreading as quickly as the virus is. So much anticipation, fear and worry around the unknown. This includes the ripple effect of the virus on the economy. Additionally, in mental health we speak of the power of connection and often are addressing concerns of isolation in order to aid depression. And here we are, being told, and encouraging others- that it is necessary to our physical safety to physically isolate, no matter the risk psychologically.
This virus and the circumstances are a breeding ground to damage us physically, economically and emotionally. I read last week in an article titled, “by Yong at the Atlantic, that, “After infections begin ebbing, a secondary pandemic of mental-health problems will follow”. So where is the hope? Where is light despite all the darkness?
Actually, I do see light, and I invite you to see it as well.
*Family meals are increasing
*Family walks are increasing
*Family games (even board and activity games via internet) are occurring
*REAL conversations
*Businesses converting to make ventilators, hand sanitizer etc. to help our health care providers and US.
*Teacher’s have been apart of continuing to ensure children are fed, have learning tools, drive by neighborhood’s in parades, and wave to the children.
*Movements like the hearts in windows to provide a message of love and HOPE
*Insurances allowing provision of services outside of benefits packages
*WORLD WIDE prayer chains
*Countries donating to other countries
*Mental health and health care providers supporting one another in order to better aid the community
*Construction workers, mechanics et al, donating masks and materials
*People learning how to make masks, or inventing new ways to help one another
*Employers taking out loans to keep paying employees
*Some politicians showing their humanness, being creative and flexible in order to get health care and mental health aid to as many as possible
Where is the light? I cannot even list enough of what I have been observing-there is so much light. Look, I’m not Pollyanna, I’m quite clear that we are not in rainbows and sunshine. There will not be birds tying ribbons in my hair. I know that you and I could list many things that are awful about this experience. Very true things. Ironically, the values that are rising to the surface bring us an opportunity for a much much better world of humanity than how we came into this—so divided. At least that is MY hope, that THAT will prevail. And we can bank on it, if we make a choice to breed these values, the certainty within the uncertainty, and remember the light we see in this darkness. As much as anxiety spreads--calm, loving, peaceful energy is powerful and contagious as well. In my opinion, RESILIENCE is how we prepare for the ‘second pandemic’ that wants to attack mental health.
Focus on: What CAN you trust in yourself? And others? What else have you seen or heard, that I haven’t named, that can bring light into this darkness for you? What is actually happening today-not in the fear of tomorrow? Focus on LIVING today within the parameter’s we have been given. Take some deeper humanitarian meaning out of this darkness. Dream and create what you will do with your life once we are through this…
