Patience over Panic. Faith over Fear. Wisdom over Worry.
So, my kids and I are still in contact, for the most part in person throughout this, but one of them is in Ottawa, and has been freaking out a little bit. In fact, she was trying to warn everyone months ago of the implications of the virus. She knew the potential seriousness of the threat better than any of us, because she works, as a liaison with her company’s global partners. She said her company was taking a more global look at the virus’s threat based on its own international presence; that the company has internships all over the world, and that they had to look at the safety of their students, their partners and their staff, and make the difficult decision of shutting down programs. One by one, they shut down programs, in various cities across the globe; beginning with the areas that caused the most immediate threats. The financial implications for this company have been immeasurable, resulting from this, but they did the responsible thing by acting swiftly and thinking unselfishly. Many businesses were hit the same; some even seeing potential job losses, as a result but many lives were probably saved by this series of decisions. Decisions they made quietly; hence, selflessly. The decision makers, within this company; my daughter, included as one of them, are heroes, in my eyes.
They saw a threat, they responded accordingly; unselfishly. Their concern, for their staff and students, and reduced the spread of the virus, likely substantially. That, makes them heroes, in my eyes. Others did not take the same selfless or swift precautions. Some, understandably, were concerned about their own interests; livelihood, physical health, mental health, family’s livelihood, physical health and mental health. Some, even seeing the potential threat, acted very selfishly and may have worsened the situation, without even realizing it; and if they did realize, just didn’t care. Some people have shown the very best of what lies within humanity, and some; the polar opposite. Some people’s responses have been to help, for selfless reasons. And some, have attempted to profit from another person’s misery. I’ve seen both sides of this, already. Some; like this company, and like all of the first responders, military personnel, medical staff, front-line crisis workers, essential services providers, are showing their true colours with their response to this crisis. And, doing it quietly. Then there are those who are waving flags, saying, “look at me, I’m going to be a hero throughout this”. Trying to profit from a global crisis; starting online coaching businesses and offering delivery services to others, at a fee, etc. Loudly and proudly proclaiming that they are, “helping”; versus, just simply helping without having to profit from helping, or shout from the rooftops that they are. Ever notice that the true heroes are always the quiet ones.
True heroes; usually ones who either work in the helping professions already, or those who have the hearts of helpers. True heroes are those who work tirelessly, and without need or desire for a reward for their good deeds; without need of attention or praise. I’ve seen fewer people doing good deeds, then I have those seeking attention and praise. This is not because there are fewer people doing good things and helping others; on the contrary. It’s because those doing good, are doing so, quietly. And, although they are not seeking this attention or praise, they should be applauded; both for doing these things, and for doing them quietly. Doing them quietly, and not making a lot of noise about what they’re doing allows for the important stuff to be heard, instead; like sharing of information that will aid in our survival.
Quiet enough; to hear the right information. Information from health care, government or other sources that keep us informed about the reality of the crisis. Information about how to stay safe and well; at work, if you’re an essential service provider, or at home, if you’re in quarantine or isolation. Information on how to be mentally well, while isolated. Information about where to obtain resources, with which to survive. Quiet enough; to hear your own inner voice, to hear God’s voice, to pray, to meditate. The right kind of quiet. The quiet voice of the heroes who get you through this crisis; even if that voice is your own.
It’s hard for us to be quiet though; noise has become a huge part of our lives. Noisiness and busyness. We’ve glorified busy and worshipped that noise for so long, that we don’t know how to be quiet. And, now that we suddenly are forced to live with quiet; in our homes, in isolation, on the roads, when we have to head out for supplies, or wherever we are. Quiet that we’re not comfortable with because we have been keeping so busy, and so distracted for so long so, as not to have to hear the silence. It’s funny, we seek out silence when the noise of the world gets too much, but we don’t know what to do when we get that silence. We seek out rest and solitude when life gets too busy, but we are uncomfortable sitting still. We need to learn to sit still, be at peace and be quiet. We need to learn to listen; to ourselves, to God and the universe, and to the silence. We need to listen so we can understand who our true heroes are throughout this crisis. We need to know this because they will be the ones to look to for help, when the world starts to heal from this. We need to take a good look at; how they reacted or responded, how we reacted or responded and how others reacted or responded, throughout this global crisis. Who reacted, and who responded, and what the implications of these reactions or responses were, to them and to the world, as a whole. We can’t hear this kind of truth in the noise of today’s world. Maybe we’re being forced to now, so we can reset.
Maybe the world needs this reset, to heal. Maybe the world needs this quiet. Maybe we need to learn; patience, over panic. Patience, with ourselves and with others. Patience with our circumstances. Patience with the world, and with this crisis, itself. Maybe we need to learn; Faith, over fear. Faith in God, faith in humanity, and faith in ourselves. Faith that we are protected and will come out of this better than how we went in, in the first place. Faith that we can overcome and survive this. And, faith that humanity will rise above and be the real heroes that they can be. Maybe we need to learn; wisdom, over worry. Wisdom about how to deal with crises more effectively. Wisdom of how to live a better life; of peace, faith, love and truth. Maybe we need to learn to be heroes; for others and for ourselves.