These are strange waters for sure! Uncertain times, unknown futures, instability, confusion and more. But we have a few secret weapons at our disposal… Faith, Hope, Love…and each other! Even in these times of “social distancing,” we can draw close (well two arms length close anyway). Nothing’s wrong with our fancy phones, email still works, and heck, for now even the USPS is still running! Imagine the unbelievable surprise for someone to receive an actual, physical letter in the mail. For those of you who don’t know, a “letter” is a hand written note on paper (no, not the flimsy kind we use “you know where” and is more precious than gold right now), that you send to someone by dropping it in your mailbox out by the street.
Since we will all have more time on our hands, we can write someone a letter and blow their mind! Short of that, send them an email, or better yet, CALL them. Despite needing to be separated, we can still “be there” for each other. Weigh carefully the misinformation you may read in social media or hear on the news. We can actually use social media in a great way if we use it to stay in touch and keep each other in our minds and hearts.
Many people and agencies are saying that we are in the early stages of this situation and will see vast changes in the coming weeks or maybe even months. Already, many cities have begun mass closings of businesses and cancellations of activities. So how will we fare through this? If we shut ourselves in our homes and cocoon away from others completely, it is going to be tough and miserable. But if we adapt a different mindset of doing what we can for OTHERS, then we have a great road ahead; one that could benefit a lot of people and ultimately make us feel better as we help and serve others. If you don’t have the virus, then you are a huge step ahead of some people.
I remember following 9/11 seeing ANY jet fly through the sky was almost haunting. And now, just seeing pictures of people shaking hands is almost maddening! This is not the end of the world (although it may be hard to fathom in the days to come), and eventually we WILL bounce back! I have spoken to many friends who are at the last day of their job for an unknown amount of time…and yet they still have bills to pay and commitments to meet. I’ve been in these all-too-familiar tight times on several occasions, and I know how unsettling this can be. Of course, Coronavirus is a very different situation because it is not just me; it’s a whole nation! So indeed, if there has even been a time to pull together (as much as we can safely), it’s now.
To a certain extent we need to accept that indeed most of what’s going on is out of our hands. This concept may be easier for some people to accept than others, but truly, aside from “doing your part,” there isn’t a whole lot you are going to do to change anything regarding the virus and the pandemic itself. Sometimes the best thing to do is chill. Sit quietly and contemplate things, make plans, set some new goals, evaluate life. Rather than some great “END,” this could be the great new start you have been wanting to make!
At a minimum, be part of the solution, not the problem. Verify things before you pass them on, take safe steps and be considerate of other people’s health too. Remember: you could be a carrier and never have the tiniest symptoms of the virus.
But most of all: stay connected and try to find ways to be considerate of other people and their situations. We are all in this together, and together we will make it. Like Pink Floyd said: “Together we stand, divided, we fall.”
P.S.: Word to the wise… this probably isn’t the best time to tell your marketing team you want your new project to go “viral.” Just sayin’. – :O