Survive It, We Must

The longer the non-comedy show known as Covid-19 goes on, the crazier the world is getting.

It would tax even Yoda's brain power to survive. At least, to survive with sense of humor and common sense still in tact.

There are two sides to this comedy show: those who believe one way, and those who believe the other.

There, see what I did there? I side-stepped a pile of do-do.

In this country of ours, the fact that everyone is (or was) entitled to have their own opinion and/or beliefs was the foundation of what made it a great country.

That foundation has been shattered.

Can it ever be repaired? Can we survive it? What about the rest of the world?

To be perfectly honest, and in my own opinion? No one has a clue about that except our Abba. And, He is holding that answer close to His heart, right now.

In the meantime, what can we poor, little peons do to survive?

Hit our knees and pray. And, believe. And, trust only in Abba.

Pretty simple, don't you think?

One of the songs that keeps running through my head is from the movie, Annie: "The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be sun!"

Only problem is, the writer of those lyrics couldn't spell. It should say, The Son will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there'll be Son!"

In this drama, we have Deep State dwellers, Preppers, Patriots, thugs, heroes, and more.

All have a part in it, but do they all know their part? Doubtful. Too many are just jumping on to the first bandwagon they see.

Do all of the players even know what all the drama is about? Just as doubtful.

The experts are even more confused than we everyday peeps are, apparently. At least based on how often, and frequently they change their opinions and/or advice.

Perhaps, the one consolation in all of this would be the fact that this "event" has encompassed and involved every single country in the world and every single inhabitant of every single country.

Those who should be stepping up to lead are hiding. Those who should be hiding are stepping up to lead. Whether they are, or even can do just that has yet to be seen. (See what I did there? I side-stepped another pile of do-do.)

I don't believe there is a single life in the world that has not been touched by this, and, in many instances, irrevocably changed.

Businesses have shut down; some only temporarily, thankfully. Others have been shuttered for good.

Families have lost homes, family members (both four and two legged), have lost income, they have lost everything and are just doing what they can to survive.

Others, have somehow, found the ability to become millionaires and billionaires in the midst of the chaos. They have used that wealth to buy mansions. They have done just about everything for themselves while totally doing nothing for those who they were supposed to help. (Oops, I didn't side-step fast enough that time!)

There was a time, at least in this country, when people reached out to others, churches stepped up and then stepped out to minister, when schools taught life-skills and history and more, and when we were ALL brothers and sisters - and leaned on each other.

As it says in the song "He Ain't Heavy," "So on we go, his welfare is my concern. No burden is he to bear. We'll get there. For I know he would not encumber me. He ain't heavy, he's my brother."

Now, it's more like "I don't care who in the heck you are, that's mine! You can't have it. Not any of it!"

Lives and jobs have been turned upside down.

My job, for example, went from being in one building to each of us packing up our equipment and moving to home-based.

That has been a blessing and a curse. Technically, now we only need fall out of bed in the morning and sign on. Don't even have to change from jammies to real clothes, unless we want to. Or, it's a day we will be online with cameras. Boo hiss on those days. Just kidding, Boss. ;)

For those of us who, whether we believe in the whole epidemic thing or not, are immuno-compromised and just stay home, it's like living and working in a prison, or sorts.

Isolation. That was always a dream job and lifestyle for some of us. We have since learned, however, there can be too much a good thing. In fact, that can become a bad thing after a point.

For those who thrive on being in groups, you know, those really socially-centered type people, it has had the same, only polar opposite, issue. They have been removed from their norm and are struggling to deal with and adjust to a "new norm."

Problem with this "new norm" is that none of us asked for it, most of us don't like it, and few truly accept it.

And, that is, I think one of the real reasons we are struggling right now.

Make no mistake, ALL of us are struggling. Just maybe, some are struggling better than others. But, it is a universal problem.

The other biggie, and here we go smack dab in the middle of that pile of do-do is, who the hell is running the country and the world?!

Oh wait, I answered that myself: hell. Satan. Lucifer. Beelzebub. I have some other names I would dearly love to add in that list, but I would never climb out of that pile of do-do....so, let's just move along.

Want to know what I think we all need? Doesn't matter, I'm going to tell you anyway: some help from the Beatles!

"Help me if you can, I'm feeling down,

And I do appreciate you being 'round.

Help me get my feet back on the ground.

Won't you please, please help me?"

Yep, besides trusting in Abba, it's time we all started reaching out to each other again. We ARE social beings. Some of us, not as much as others, but still, we need contact with others to survive.

That pity party we've all been having on our own needs to give way to survival parties.

I've said it before, but I am saying it again. I was never much of a hugger. Some of you know why. However, much to my own surprise, some days I want no more than just a good, ole hug!

Know what I mean?

Some of the topics being tossed around are valid.

After all, go back a year in time and remember what finding toilet paper was like....

Yes, we need to use some smarts, some common sense and keep edibles and other items on hand.

But, before you call foul on me, that's something that I think most people do anyway. All the time. Not just in the middle of a pandemic real or manufactured.

Darn that pile of do-do. I'm going to need some new shoes!

Well, while I'm already in the middle of it, now is not the time to be unarmed. Defenseless. Clueless. Planless.

Is that where most are getting their angst from? Do you have a plan(s)? Do you have any idea of where or to whom to turn for assistance?

For those of us who do not do well in crowds, we are having some angst around being around people again. Yeah, we'll adjust and get over it, but everyone needs to realize that we ALL are having angst over something.

What's more, we are ALL going to have adjustments to make.

What's even more, we are ALL going to have to realize that everyone around us is struggling - and cut each other some slack.

Kindness. Remember that word? We need to become familiar with it again. More, we need to learn to do it!

Patience. Wow, that sounds vaguely familiar doesn't it? We. ALL. Need. Patience.

We need to be more patient with ourselves. We need to be patient with those around us.

Understanding. Sympathetic. Empathetic. Caring. Generous.

Oh wow, I could go on all day with those. It's also much more fun than stepping in do-do.

How about trying this. Just for a few minutes. If it doesn't work for you, that's on you.

If you don't like the person or persons in front of or around you, turn in a different direction and find others.

You don't have to set anchor where you are and get in a battle with an individual or people you don't like.

Get off you butt and find another group!

Find people who inspire, motivate, and cheer you. Do the same for them.

If you don't want to completely cutoff from the "other" group, then don't. Find something in common with them.

Focus on that.

If they need help, if they need training for a job, they just need a new set of clothes, their family needs food - well, there are at least a gazillion and one ways you can help them. And, all without starting WWIII with them over it.

Just be kind!

Are you aware that you can act kind? Or, that if you pretend it enough, it will usually become a real, true part of you?

Try it. Really, try it!

Even in a worst case scenario, we can survive. If there is a town, a county, a state or a country that just cannot get along, break it up. Form new towns, counties, states and countries.

That pile of do-do may have been pool-sized, but necessary.

If you are THAT miserable with where you are now, do something. Anything. It would have to be better, right?

Well, obviously, I don't have all the answers. Actually, I don't have any answers except for myself.

I can't make answers for you; that's up to you.

I can't solve all the problems. I, for sure, can't solve problems for everyone. But, I can start. May I buy you a cup of coffee? How about a meal? Do you need a ride somewhere? How about, we just sit and chat for awhile?

It's that simple folks. But, it ain't going to happen by itself. It requires action, effort, intent, and kindness.

You up to it?

Let's do this folks. What do we have to lose at this point?

Are you onboard? Do we have a deal?

Hey, before you all go, anyone got a pair of shoes I can borrow?