Coronavirus and Us

Over the weekend, our lives as we knew changed dramatically. It seems that nothing is as it was and we have been forced to reevaluate every aspect of our lives.

I'm reaching out to encourage you to put your mask on first and then take care of others you love and maybe even some who you've never met. With crises come all sorts of opportunities. Be sure to take these early moments to establish a pattern of taking care of yourself emotionally and psychologically. Monitor the amount of "stuff" that you take in. Use meditation and journaling to calm anxiety and center yourself. Know when your tank is empty and you need time and space to recharge.

Find new ways to safely interact with family and friends. Spend time watching movies, playing games, reading alone or aloud to each other. Zoom a friend across the country or the world. Facetime family to stay visually connected. Send emails to co-workers to let them know that you're thinking of them and caring about them. Go old school and pick up the phone! Reassure those around you that you care about what they are experiencing... from your heart to theirs. Ask how they and their families are doing. Ask about the elders in their lives. Just listen and let our collective humanity lead the way.

As my colleague Joel Brown shared in a recent text:

Physical distancing… yes.

Social distancing… no.

Use technology to maintain a sense of community while protecting the public.

Today I'm sending a shout out to each of you. My hope for you is that you leave anxiety and fear and move toward truth and faith. We will get through this together, finding opportunities to assist others and be better and stronger on the other side.

In gratitude for you. In community with you.