The Present Distress
Resolve has gotten us through difficult times before. It can do so again!
I’ve always valued the wisdom of people older than me. My friend, Audrey was a person I looked up to. She was newly married before her husband Ray left to fight in World War II. Audrey had a perspective on dealing with difficult times that I wanted to understand.
After the attacks of September 11th, I was talking to Audrey and asked her about Pearl Harbor. I had heard it said that September 11th was our Pearl Harbor. I wanted to know how her generation dealt with that tragedy. How did the country, get through those trying times?
Her words were simple but powerful. “We came together.” There was a resolve in the country. That resolve carried them through that crisis and beyond.
I remember the resolve in the country after 9–11. It didn’t matter what party you belonged to. We were Americans. PERIOD! There was a sense of patriotism I had never seen before. Do you remember the flags? They were everywhere. We were united. Were things perfect? No! But we got through it.
The Present Distress
To borrow a phrase from another time and place, our world is going through its own present distress. COVID-19 is the enemy, the sole focus of the planet in this snapshot of human history.
The word resolve seems appropriate again as I reflect on what Audrey told me about Pearl Harbor and what I remember from 9–11.
With that in mind, I would like to consider how we can show resolve during this present distress. We CAN get through this!
To make our way, we must have firm resolve, persistence, tenacity. We must gear ourselves to work hard all the way. We can never let up. ~ Ralph Bunch
I think in acronyms. I’m not sure why but I find acronyms are a useful way to reinforce a concept. Let’s consider together the acronym R-E-S-O-L-V-E.
Remember the Past
Don’t forget the lessons from the past. Remember my conversation with Audrey. Her generation made it through the uncertain times of WWII.
Our generation made it through the uncertain times following 9–11. There is hope we can do it again.
The hardships that I encountered in the past will help me succeed in the future. ~Philip Emeagwali
Even though this enemy is invisible, there is still a fundamental principle to follow. When we come together, success is much more likely to happen.
Q. What lessons from your past experience(s) can you leverage to help you succeed in this situation?
Everyone Matters
Together, we can do it again. No one individual can get through a crisis alone. It takes all of us doing what we can. Those on the front lines of this pandemic need our support but they also need us to do our part.
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller
There are lots of people doing what they can. Don’t minimize your contribution. Together we can get through this.
Q. What part can you play? What can YOU do now to help?
Stay Strong
Perspective helps us play the hand that was dealt to us and make the most out of this pandemic situation.
Sometimes life may take you down an unexpected path, but keep an open mind, for that may be the exact path you’re supposed to be on at that particular point in time. ~Alicia Emamdee
There are lessons to be learned on this unexpected path that will help generations to come. We need to stay strong and keep an open mind as this moment in time unfolds.
Q. What are you doing to stay strong during these difficult times?
One Day at a Time
Day-to-day is the only way to manage this pandemic. All of us hope it is short-lived but we just don’t know what the future holds.
The only thing we can do is to fight this enemy one day at a time. Framing it in short intervals makes the confrontation more manageable.
Where I am today… I still have my ups and downs, but I take it one day at a time and I just hope that I can be the best that I can possibly be, not only for myself, but also young people that are out there today that need someone to look up to. ~Demi Lovato
Each day brings its own ups and downs. The challenge is to make the most of whatever comes our way. Others are watching. How will you react?
Q. How are you managing each day so that others can look up to you?
Love Your Neighbor
One way to fight this enemy is to daily show love to our neighbors. Showing love can be accomplished in a number of ways.
The most important way to show love right now is to prevent the spread of this virus. Social distancing will work if we all do our part.
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But…the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him? ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
Think about what could happen if you don’t practice social distancing.
Q. What are other ways you can love your neighbor?
Victim: Don’t Play the Victim Card
It’s time for a little tough-love here. Life isn’t easy. Audrey’s generation played the hand they were dealt. We did it again after 9–11. And we can do it again today.
You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. ~ Marcus Aurelius
Think about what the majority of us are asked to do. Stay home. Surely we can do this. I know a lot of us miss the activities that have been canceled. But it’s a sacrifice that is worth it if it will save lives.
Q. How can you find the strength to deal with this crisis?
Encourage One Another
Yes, we CAN overcome this crisis. It’s been almost eighty years since Pearl Harbor and almost twenty years since 9–11. This too will pass and one day we will look back on this time and say we got through it.
Until that time comes, it is important that we all do our part to encourage one another. There are so many opportunities to reach out and encourage. It’s been heart-warming to see the compassion of others.
Don’t underestimate the little things you can do to encourage someone else.
You matter. That smile you shared could be the sun on someone’s darkest day. ~Amy Leigh Mercree
Q. What can you do to encourage someone today? Do it!
I also would like to offer this 3-step plan for taking charge of adversity.
I invite you to listen to other voices on this ILLUMINATION platform who are writing about this present distress. Below is a sampling.
In this poem, Amy Marley challenges us to embrace fear.
This crisis as Aurora E tells us is “one that we can overcome, together.”
Michele Thill shares practical tips to use this time to change our eating habits.
Chris Hedges reminds us we’re all in this together.
Dr Mehmet Yildiz offers this analysis and solutions for dealing with anxiety
Pick one or more of Dipti Pande’s tips for managing this distressing time.
I’m Author, and Storyteller, Tim Maudlin. One of the important lessons I have learned during this pandemic is how important connections are. If we haven’t connected yet, let’s remedy that. See my contact information below.
This article was originally published on my website at DoWhatYouCanNow.com
I’ll leave you will these words of encouragement.
