The Covid-19 virus has taken over the news cycle, and now is starting to affect various events and maybe even our daily routines. We might feel the alarm growing within us as we wonder just how worried we should be. Here is my advice and how I’m approaching this:
SLOW DOWN!
I mean this in two ways.
First of all, slow down the reactions. Right now, many of us are perfectly safe. We should practice good flu season basics – washing hands, staying home when we are sick, not touching our face and not shaking hands with other people.
Watch or listen to less news. Check it once a day, not every few minutes. Remember that if you have been traumatized previously (such as going through the 2013 flood) or have had another stressful or difficult circumstance happen recently (hospitalization, a death in the family, loss of a job, conflict at work, etc.) then your alarm may quickly kick into high gear. Our sense of alarm is meant to keep us safe, but it can’t judge between a danger that is close and a danger that is far away and coming to us via the media. You need to judge that. So, if you know that your alarm can easily go overboard, then limit your intake of news. If there really is something that you must know, trust that you will find out – because you will!
To slow down the reactions, I take a moment about once an hour to remind myself that all is good in my life right now. I take a deep breath. I remind myself that I really am safe at this moment. I enjoy the sunshine (or the snow). I think of my beloved husband, sons & mother. I remember how much I love my work as a minister. I repeat to myself the words of the mystic, Julian of Norwich (1342-1416). She says, “All shall be well. All shall be well. And all manner of things shall be well.” And I believe her, for she lived through the bubonic plaque that hit England from 1348-1350.
So slow down the reactions. Don’t get too far ahead. Deal with what is happening right now, not what might happen next week or a month from now. Trust that you will be able to make the decisions that are required when they come, because you will and you will have more information then to make those decisions.
If you have children, it is especially important to shield them from alarm. Be matter of fact in teaching them good habits for flu season. If they are asking about the Covid-19 spread, assure them that you are doing everything that needs to be done and that health officials and our government leaders are taking the steps that need to be taken. Tell them that they don't need to worry, because you are
Secondly, slow down your activities.
The conference for which I was to lead worship next week has been postponed to the fall. A meeting I am to attend in Toronto, the week after next, will likely be postponed until August. Of course, I feel a little disappointed because I enjoy the people with which I was going to gather. But truthfully, there is nothing so urgent that it can’t be postponed. Okay, I can think of a few things – such as emergency surgery. The reality is, however, that so many things that seem urgent, really aren’t. So many events or activities that we deem essential and important really are not. They can be enjoyable, engaging and/or fun, but they are not necessarily urgent and essential.
My suggestion is slow down. Do what is really necessary. Go to work or school, if you are healthy. Feed your family. Feed the cattle. These are the core of what must be done.
But after that, consider what you really need to do and want to do. Slowing down allows your body to stay healthier, just by getting good rest and by being less stressed. Your child might be disappointed in not going to a birthday party, but there will be other birthday parties. You might miss a trip you were looking forward to, but there will be other trips or events to enjoy. Right now, enjoy your family and friends close at home. Play some board games. Curl up with a book, either by yourself or reading to the family. Take time to write some letters, e-mails or messages to connect with people you haven’t connected with for awhile. The slowing down of events and activities due to the virus can be a gift in the long run – a gift of time for your family and your self.
Right now, we will continue with church gatherings and activities. We will not greet each other with handshakes, but will find other creative ways to warmly welcome each other. We have someone who is regularly sanitizing door knobs and light switches. We have hand sanitizer available at both doors. We are asking that anyone who is feeling sick to stay home.
If you are finding that your sense of alarm is on the rise, and you are feeling overwhelmed, please feel free to contact us. Rev. David and Rev. Susan are happy to spend time with you to explore that alarm and to help you figure out how to feel less overwhelmed.
Finally, I offer you these words of scripture:
The joy of the Lord is my strength! Nehemiah 8:10
The antidote to the alarm and worries that abound right now is to look for the joy, the delight, and the wonder in the world around us. We have much for which to be grateful. We have much in which we can delight. Even as the snow keeps coming, we know spring is around the corner. We are blessed by many wonderful relationships. Life is good!
If this is a time of grief for you, or if you or a family member are dealing with a severe illness, I still invite you to look for the joy and wonder around you. This does not deny the reality of what you are facing right now. It is meant to come alongside and bring balance.
The joy of the Lord really is our strength. Slowing down, noticing what is good around us, delighting in our friends and family, taking time for prayer and worship, and spending time doing simple things – these all give us time to focus on what really is most important in our lives – our love of God, our love of family and friends, and the gift of life. Those are the essential things. Everything else can wait.
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