It’s funny that I actually wrote an article about our how to be a hero in any circumstance several months ago but didn’t publish it. I was wondering why there is so much interest in stories about war. My hypothesis was that it is in extreme circumstances that transformations are made, evolution occurs, and heroes are born. These are the times when ordinary people and communities accomplish extraordinary things in the face of extraordinary circumstances. People find themselves rising to challenges, finding within themselves the courage, strength, stamina and love to be of service to a greater cause. Ordinary people become heroes.
There is something about being in service, especially during times of crisis that calls to something deep within us. We may not be facing a war; but we are facing extreme circumstances of a global pandemic. Officials are telling us that personal risk is low, but the societal risk is high. The risk to our health care system, our health workers, and our elders is high. We are all being called to be heroes. Each of us can serve the greater good through our personal actions.
It has only been a few days in Canada and already many of us are doing what we are being asked to do to protect our neighbours, our friends, our elders, our doctors and the health system that we rely on. Elders and people with chronic health conditions are self-isolating. People with any symptoms or potential contact are in home-quarantine. Events are being cancelled. People are working from home. Travellers are isolating themselves when they get home. We are being told by health officials that these actions can make a difference in the health care system’s ability to manage and save lives. By heeding the requests, we are heroes because we are putting our personal needs aside for the greater good.
Some are being called on to take bigger actions: to rise up and fill an emerging need for service, information, or leadership, or to hold the light of calm and faith. Public health officials and political leaders have demonstrated calm stamina and prudence. My cousin, a physician, has taken a personal vendetta to share information about early social distancing through her personal social media accounts. A Facebook group popped up today coordinating volunteers to serve people in isolation or quarantine. Websites have already been published to catalogue information on community services. Online sessions are being offered on self-regulation, meditation and other self-healing techniques to help people calm fears. Many are participating in online healing meditations and prayers. As a family, we are making sure we take excellent care of ourselves: going to bed early, eating well, taking vitamins, and getting moderate exercise, as well as staying home.
It is these extreme circumstances that are calling forth from within us our best qualities and our deep care for one another. This is a time to strengthen family bonds, to demonstrate our care for one another, to learn how to really take care of our health and well-being and to slow down and cherish life. It is a time to look within and find our inner sources of strength and calm amidst a stormy outer world. In a storm, it really takes strength, bravery, and stamina to remain calm, to stay focused on love and to keep looking for the light that shines through any seemingly dark situation. This is the light shows you the way to be more of who you really are.
Although it is important to be informed and prepared, it is equally important to focus on life-giving things. Use whatever tool you have to stay focused on light. What is that for you? Creativity, taking care of your home, being of service to others, walking in nature, a meditation or prayer practice, connecting with a community online, learning something new, signing, dancing, planting seeds for your spring garden, or even watching sports re-runs. To keep the light going within you during a dark time is a heroic act. It takes something to shift your focus away from fear and choose to carry on with the things you love in whatever way you can.
I will admit. I have fear. I also have faith that this will be a historical evolutionary leap in our commitment to collective and personal health and well-being. It will also be a catalyst for many of us to grow in strength and resilience and become the heroes we know we are.
Thank you to our leaders, business owners and anyone else who has had to make difficult decisions and a big thank you to our health workers who are our heroes everyday but even more so today.
Whether you are called to service or not, it is time to be a hero.
LOVE AND PEACE
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I have been living with chronic illness and exploring the healing journey for over 20 years. I offer what I have learned from that journey to you in the form of aslowerkindoflife.com.
