Apart from the Military and the emergency services, 95% of the world has no understanding of crisis and ‘lack of’.
In this world, where with a push of a button on our phones, we can have any food of any delicacy; book a holiday and flight to the other side of the world; buy any item of clothing, electronics, household items, toys; even have a partner just for the night.
Now someone has said NO to us, for bloody good reasons, how are we going to react?
Is it a case of shut up shop, isolate indoors and forget the world and wait for it to pass? Of course, that would help and solve the problem for you as the individual, but what about the other billions of people out there. The ill, the old, the children, the chronic disease sufferers, the cancer patients who are having chemotherapy and their families, the mentally ill, the loners, how will they get through this, without support?
The last time such a majority of the developed world has experienced adversities like these, was during the main world wars when everything was rationed, communications were nil and these times were only survived by COMMUNITY.
Community support, a knock on the door, a sharing of goods and services, a kind word, a helping hand, just a thought is so well received. How often do you actually talk to the neighbours? We all crave at some point more connection, more belonging, more time and now is the time to step forward and create a positive from a negative. A reset would be a great way to come out of this adversity and make a new better society. Technology serves its purpose however it is the physical human connection and closeness we are now being denied that is hurting most. If we can harmonise connection in a less technological way post-virus, how great would that be?
Make those calls you have been dying and wanting to make to estranged loved ones, because they are in your thoughts so tell them, before you lose them, don’t live with regrets. Whether they reply or not you know you did. I have just reached out myself after a 7-year separation, I had no reply but I can let go and that’s just as valuable.
Looking at the Italian and Spanish tower block communities, that 2 weeks ago had never even seen each other’s faces or even acknowledged each other, seeing them now on their balconies playing instruments, community sing-alongs and doing community exercises is beyond heart-warming and is a message for us all. Who says we actually don’t need it; watch how it’s serving that community and their virus statistics are far worse than ours for now?
In my 25-year military career, we traveled to conflict areas. For the soldiers on the ground it was never about the politics and certainly not for the money!! We duly served to the best of our abilities, to safeguard our colleagues and they did the same for me. We covered each other’s backsides, we shared WHATEVER we had for the greater benefit of the team, we opened up to our deepest and most heartfelt feelings, because we didn’t know what would happen the next day. We thought as a collective, a team and the bond, the friendships, no matter of time and distance are lifelong.
There are similarities in this circumstance, but the collective enemy is a virus. We can only overcome it together, only survive as ONE and that means following rules and policies to keep the team safe.
Please be a part of my team and together we will come out stronger, more connected and greater friends. These attributes in life are what community stands for.
Keep safe, keep well, keep isolated and see you on the other side.
