Springs Continental Schools
Date : 26/03/2020.
Sub: Overcoming the COVID-19 Pandemic Anxiety
Dear All,
Everyone is obsessed with reading news about the coronavirus pandemic, scrolling though the #COVID19 twitter feed ,
and jumping from one source of information to the next. I think we don’t need to be laying in bed late at night reading
bad news and checking the feeds at 4am, already anxious before dawn.
There is a famous Cherokee story about a grandfather telling his grandson about a battle between two wolves. He
describes one wolf as evil, full of anger, sorrow, arrogance, and greed. He describes the other as good, full of joy,
love,kindness, and generosity. When the grandson asks which wolf will win the battle, the grandfather answers: “ The
one we feed”
It is difficult to stop feeding our anxiety during a pandemic, but if we want to navigate this unprecedented and
frightening time with more grace and calm- indeed, if we want to actually thrive to the greatest degree possible through
COVID-19 , we need to actively nourish the best in ourselves. Doing so will help us act more wisely as well as we take
care of ourselves and others.
To strengthen the wolf of our better self, let’s nourish Gratitude ,Generosity, and Hope.
We can nourish gratitude by paying attention to who is making our lives manageable during this time. These may
include the healthcare professionals, people working in grocery stores and pharmacies; teachers supporting students
through distance learning ; journalists keeping us informed, scientists working to treat COVID-19 and create a safe
vaccine, governments and officials and the entire police force. Hold these individuals in your mind , feel your heart
expand with Gratitude!
Generosity: what better way to shift your attention from your own anxiety than to do something helpful for someone
else? Does an elderly neigbour need food or medicine? Can we get it for them? Who could use a phone call to ease the
fears of people in isolation? Make a list and make those calls. If you are in a position to help someone financially, do so.
If you are someone in need yourself, remember that reaching out for help provides others with the opportunity to be
generous. When you reach out , you are actually supporting the best in others as you meet your most pressing needs.
Hope : While this is a serious and frightening pandemic , it will end. Along with the bad, there will be good that comes
from this time. Pay attention to the hopeful things that are happening everyday. Scientists are already discovering
treatments; a vaccine is in the work; governments are passing emergency measures to help; heroism is on display;
families are spending time together and connecting in deep and beautiful ways, and people everywhere are striving to
be of service to one another. Professor David Orr said “ Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up.” The more you are part
of the outpouring of goodness and support in your community, the more hopeful you will likely be.
In deep prayers for a safer, healthier and peaceful world for all.
അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളൊന്നുമില്ല:
ഒരു അഭിപ്രായം പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യൂ