Seven things we need now more than ever.

Summary

The article emphasizes the critical need for leadership, compassion, community support, and innovation during the current global crisis.

Abstract

The author reflects on the challenges of the present times, drawing a parallel with the struggles faced by America in its fight for independence as described by Thomas Paine. Despite the grim situation, the article outlines seven key elements necessary for navigating through these difficult days: strong government leadership, compassionate capitalism, encouragement among individuals, the provision of comfort to those affected, maintaining faith and hope, fostering a sense of community, and embracing creativity and innovation. The author calls for a collective effort to overcome the crisis, suggesting that these trying times present an opportunity for positive change and unity.

Opinions

The author expresses frustration with the lack of effective leadership from Washington and gratitude towards state governors and mayors for filling the leadership void.
There is a call for corporations to prioritize compassion over profit, with a reminder that their actions during the crisis will be remembered.
The article stresses the importance of encouragement and maintaining a positive outlook, urging people to bring out the best in each other.
It highlights the need for comforting those who have lost loved ones, emphasizing the significance of being present and supportive.
The author advises against cynicism and encourages readers to hold onto their faith and hope, affirming that better days will come.
The piece criticizes the recent rise of narcissism in society, which has contributed to the spread of the disease, and commends the current adherence to stay-at-home orders as a sign of learning from past mistakes.
It praises the innovative responses to the crisis, such as the quick adaptation to online education and the development of masks and assisted breathing devices using 3-D printing technology.

Some thoughts on what we need to hold onto during these dark days.

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” Thomas Paine penned that in “The American Crisis” over 250 years ago. He was referring to the crisis that America was going through in its struggles to free itself from the tyranny of Great Britain. I don’t think that Thomas Paine could ever imagine that some 250 years we would be in even darker times that try all of our souls.

But as I’m an eternal optimist, I like always to see things from the most favorable light possible. I have to admit, however, these days, it seems that the positive light seems pretty dim right now.

Nevertheless, I was thinking about some of the things that we need that will help us get through these times that try our souls. Here’s what I’ve been thinking about.

Government Leadership. I don’t know about you, but I’ve lost all patience with the leadership in Washington. I’m very thankful that our state governors, our mayors have stepped in the leadership vacuum coming out of Washington, or we would be in real trouble. Sure, we got a 2.2 trillion dollar bailout package, but it’s full of pork and has yet to filter down to the Americans that need it. But now is NOT the time for political posturing and worrying about your future ‘electability’. What’s required is compassionate leadership. We will NEVER recover our economy if we don’t get past this public health crisis. Leaders at all levels, but especially in Washington, need to get their priorities straight.

Compassionate Capitalism. Now is not the time for corporations to be worried about their bottom lines. Certainly, no one wants to go bankrupt, and unfortunately, for businesses that were operating at the margins, many of these companies will finally go under. But large corporations that have been flush with cash need to show more than a little compassion to their workforce. As Mark Cuban recently quipped: “Corporations will be remembered for how they treated their workforce during this crisis.” Those companies which showed a real lack of compassion might be surprised when no one will work for them after this crisis has passed.

Encouragement. Encourage your co-workers, your children, your friends, and your parents. Encourage everyone around you. Share a good laugh. Try and find the best in everything you can. Now more than ever, try and bring out the best in everyone.

Comfort. The stark reality is that we will lose some of the best of us: people who didn’t even have underlying health issues, and many who do. A lot of people will need comfort. Be there for them. Don’t worry about what you’re going to say. No one will remember what you said, but they will remember that you were there and supported them in these trying times.

Faith and Hope. It’s easy to become cynical and lose hope during these times of crisis. Don’t give in to this temptation. It’s easy to question God and ask him why all this is happening. Go ahead. God doesn’t mind. Hang on to your faith, and know this: things will get better. We will get through this.

Community. We need to come together as communities. We need to support our first responders, our families, our friends. It’s time to come together and stop being so darn narcissistic! The American that I left many years ago was a country that seemed to come together in times of crisis. But it seems to me that over the past twenty or thirty years ago we have become so self-centered, so narcissistic that we’ve created a ‘selfie’ society where everyone thinks only of themselves and their family. This narcissistic culture has created a ‘super spreader’ society. Between New Year’s celebration, Mardi Gras, Spring Break, and many other mass gatherings, our total disregard for the safety of others helped spread the disease in the US. The tragic result of this disregard for the protection of our fellow neighbors has accelerated this spread of the disease. But as it appears most people are now obeying the stay at home orders as they realize the magnitude of this pandemic. So maybe, just maybe, we have learned our lessons.

Creativity and Innovation. I have been simply amazed at the innovative spirit of people around the world as they have tried to come up with solutions to the difficulties created by this crisis. It appears that while caught off guard by the suddenness of the school closures, in large part, the educational system was able to adapt to an online education model quickly. Many small firms have been innovative and creative in developing masks. People have used 3-D printing technology to make innovative assisted breathing devices that have supplemented more traditional ventilation devices. It has often been said that necessity is the mother of invention, and this pandemic has undoubtedly brought out an innovative spirit.

Concluding Remarks

I like to show up and write about topics that will add value to the readers on Medium. I even made a vow not to write another article about the current situation.

But it seems that all anyone wants to talk about or read about. So I just thought I’d lay out some things I’ve been thinking about. More than ever, we need to stay positive, but to do that, we need some real leadership at all levels of the government. Now is not the time to worry about the ‘bottom line.’ Companies need to practice compassionate capitalism. We need to encourage each other, take time to comfort those who have lost love ones, maintain our faith and hope. We need to come together as communities, and we must maintain our creative and innovative spirit that makes the world so great.

We will get through this. There is light at the end of the tunnel. The optimist in me believes that getting through this adversity together will make the world a better place — if even for a short time.