While scientists and public health officials scramble to defeat the COVID19 virus, I have been thinking about how to respond in a way that brings hope and life to the situation we find ourselves in.
Clearly we need to avoid naïveté and denial, selfish choices and fear. Instead, this feels like a moment to be especially reflective, courageous, sacrificial and vigilant.
It also feels like a time to recalibrate our vision of where we want to go even in the near future. Time is precious, as we are reminded of daily in the news media.
For me personally, the projects that I work on in everyday life aren’t bad; they are good, but sometimes I can allow myself to be too busy. The natural rhythm of life becomes frenetic and frankly in the long run, unsustainable.
Sister Mary Catharine Perry, a cloistered nun with the Dominican nuns for 29 years has this bit of advice.
“These weeks are your opportunity for a more quiet, simple life. Use this time for self-reflection and relaxation.”
Life isn’t meant to be rushed. Use this time to get to know yourself and those right around you. Stop. Be still. You can either waste this period of social-distancing and be frustrated, or you can choose to make it the best it can be.
And remember what I said about being able to pull out all the stops on Easter? Well, that may just not happen this year!
I’m taking the advice of someone I love and respect,… “Hold it all lightly.”
Warmly,
Judy Kohl, Dean