Crisis is another word for “opportunity”. As we are prone to complain about how bad things are with the current COVID-19 pandemic, we miss the opportunity to see the potential in our circumstances. Crisis reveals weakness, but it can also reveal strength—as well as develop strength.
From a Spiritual perspective, we can—and must—become other-centered. We have opportunity to look beyond our own selfish needs—beyond the hoarding of toilet paper. We have the opportunity to help small businesses in our neighborhoods. We have the opportunity to check in on the elderly and those with weakened health. We have the opportunity to be aware of our potential to spread disease. We have opportunity to spend time at home with our loved ones—to engage in our children’s education. We have the opportunity to recognize the importance of the unsung heroes in our communities—the nurses, the waiters/waitresses, the stock clerks, the grocers, the mail carriers and delivery drivers, the custodians, the factory workers, etc., as well as public safety workers, and, yes, doctors. We have the opportunity to express our grattitude.
From a Physical perspective, there is no better time to focus on personal health—to develop the practices that we should be doing even when a health concern is not dominating the news. Habits like washing hands and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Even more importantly, understanding the role of physical activity/exercise, rest, and proper nutrition on one’s health and immune system. Now is the time to stop smoking! Now is the time, not to allow self-quarantine to be an excuse for gaining body fat, but to create habits that will help us get to a healthy body fat and develop our physical fitness. So, the gym is closed? Finding ways to be physically active in the present circumstances will minimize the excuses going forward.
Intellectually, this is a great time for reading and learning new things. Helping your kids with their school work is an opportunity to refresh one’s own recall of subjects we have long since forgotten. We can learn new thing—take the time to read about new and interesting topics. We can take the time to study proper sources of information and not rely on social media and the news for our knowledge!
Emotionally, we are certainly going to be challenged in these times of isolation and (potential) panic. We have the opportunity to breathe and learn to calm ourselves. We have the opportunity to choose to be positive amidst all the negativity. We have the opportunity to laugh and to see the good in our circumstances. We have the opportunity to hope.
From a social perspective, it is easy to feel alone and isolated in times of social distancing. On the other hand, it is an opportunity to draw closer to the ones nearest to us and to connect distantly in more meaningful ways. Spend time with your children and not complain that they are making it more difficult to get work done. Take the opportunity to schedule time with your children and significant other. There are no youth sports or music lessons or other activities to be rushing to and from. Yes, we are confined together—what a blessed opportunity! We have time to communicate in more than 280 character and with words rather than emojis. Call. Facetime. Skype. E-mail. Etc. Take time to reach out and connect. Check in on family members. Check in on the elderly and those at risk of contacting the virus. Be other-centered!
This is an opportunity to complain and to live in fear, or it is an opportunity to be grateful and live in hope. It is a choice.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!