In this uncertain, unprecedented time, I can only hope that people choose to be kind to one another. I can only hope and pray that my family and friends stay safe. I can only remind my kids to wash their hands more than they normally would – they are teenagers after all.
The only thing we can do, as a society, is take this one day at a time. The news is screaming at us, but we still need to hear the underlying message. Let’s choose compassion and common sense instead of panic and fear mongering. Check on your neighbors. Reach out to your friends and family.
Yes, we have to practice physical distancing, but we live in a time that offers a multitude of ways we can grow closer socially. Facetime your mom or grandparents. Send your family and friends a video of your kids. Gather in the kitchen and teach your kids how to bake bread or make their favorite dish. Watch a movie together as a family. Make popcorn from scratch – it’s so much better than microwave. Start an indoor garden that you will transplant later outside, so you and your kids can behold the excitement when the seedlings push through the soil, raising their thin stems to the sun. Start a new hobby you’ve been curious about. Journal, do yoga, meditate, take a walk around the block, teach your dog a new trick.
I choose to take this one day at a time. That’s really all we can do. But I refuse to hoard items. I would feel awful if someone needed something and couldn’t get it because I chose to be selfish and stockpile something. We all just need to take a deep breath and do the best we can. If we all work together, we will get through this.
It might not be easy, but it is necessary. I am sure we can all agree that we don’t want to see more infections and deaths from this alarming virus. If we all do our part, we can get through this – together. If we do it with compassion and empathy in our hearts and minds, we could just become better people living in a kinder society. Who wouldn’t want that?
Don’t worry. We’ll be able to grab a table at your local coffee shop with friends (that we’ve hugged) soon enough. But right now, we just need to take care of ourselves, our families, our neighbors.
This message hangs in my kitchen. I see it every day. This simple message is more important than ever! In a world where you can be anything, be kind. Kindness is infectious. Before we know it, there will be random acts of kindness sprouting from every household.
And the best part? You can sleep better at night when your conscience is happy. Oh, and it’s impossible to hoard kindness. Like I stated – it’s infectious.
Stay healthy everyone. 😊