Coronavirus Blues 2

Several weeks ago I suggested a few ways to fight off the coronavirus blues. I suggested: Be angry. Get a schedule. Do some good. Since that column went out I have been inundated with suggestions readers have offered. These fall into several categories.

Nourishing the inner life
Now that the busy world is hushed, it may be time to give attention to the inner life. For some this meant meditation. For others it meant prayer and intense Bible study. It may be a time to learn a new language or begin to draft an autobiography.(If you need help with that one, I can suggest someone skilled at assisting in the exploration.) At least three readers referred to the pile of books that up to now they hadn’t had time to read. Two readers said,”Do nothing. Give up all desire. Let the nothingness heal you.”

Sustaining relationships
All of us have probably pondered this question: “Whatever has became of X? We were such good friends, and when he –or we—moved, the friendship got lost.” This may be a good time to reconnect. For some people the pause in regular activities offers the opportunity to dig into family history, perhaps going back generations or even centuries. Then there is ZOOM, offering face to face meetings. I know of families who regular get together using this new electronic tool. While in our retirement community there are no open meeting rooms, committees, work bodies, and support groups still regularly meet.
Physical activities
A couple of blocks from our apartment, groups of ten friends gather in the street and dance, at least eight feet from one another. They are supported by music piped from one of the resident’s houses. And then, among younger folks, comes the suggestion---how shall I put it delicately---that here is the opportunity to beginning or increasing the members of the family. Wheee!

While we are encouraged to stay home, there is no prohibition from donning a mask and taking a walk. There are things in every neighborhood that you may have failed to see. If you live by a woods or a lake why not take time to do a bit of exploring? And when is the last time you paid attention to the birds that live in your area or migrate through it?

Making a difference,
My daughter who lives in New Orleans, has made hundreds of cloth face masks, including one for every member of her church. She has also identified an older bed-bound neighbor who needs both care and attention. I have occasionally referred to Uncommon Good. This community agency has generated thousands of dollars to assist families out of work and out of food.

Finally, here is an example of how time and energy might be sent doing something worthwhile. Four senior women in our community formerly spent every morning in a class involving an aggressive from of Yoga. Now even that opportunity may be gone”. So they decided to get their exercise in a very different way. Twice a day they don masks and gloves, and with large plastic bags walk neighborhood streets, alleys and parking lots picking up trash! This involves stooping and stretching to collect all sorts of debris including cigarette butts. They return home with bags filled with what others have recklessly discarded. They have deepened friendships, engaged in regular exercise and have done something to beautify the community. Theirs is just one alternative to sitting sadly and saying, “ain’t it awful?”

If any of these musings give you ideas on how you might make the most of the disastrous situation, go for it. Sitting around and muttering about how bad everything is, is a waste of life—and if things seem shut down, the clock is still clicking and everyday you spent moaning about the situation is simply a day less you have to live. “Today is the youngest you will ever be.”