Tempers can flare, tears flow with the stress of this pandemic. No one wanted to see the critical - Red - response. But there are helpful ways to deal with things you cannot control.
Guard against angry flare-ups and take 10 seconds to cool it when you feel like blowing your stack. Sometime during your day spend two minutes asking for Divine guidance for doctors, leaders, and yourself. You don’t have to agree with political leaders, just pray for the right guidance. Everyone needs that.
As we celebrate Remembrance Day, I can’t help but wonder about morale in 1918, or 1939. Parents sent their bright, beautiful kids off to barracks across the country … across the water, and waited for news.
They were supposed to feel proud of their loved ones who signed up, wrath against the enemy, confidence in their government and allegiance to allies. Did anyone say, damn this war!
Some say COVID is just the flu. The restrictions are disproportionate to the risk and the measures are doing more harm than good with financial and mental harm. And there’s the flip side where some called for a full lock down weeks ago, faster tests, more nurses and ICU beds.
There are parallels between today’s emergency measures imposed upon us and the war years.
To keep your own little life boat afloat, an attitude of thankfulness works even in a time like this. I felt a surge of emotion, of thankfulness, as I watched a stream of school kids led by teachers and EAs troupe down the street to the Cenotaph to pay their respects a few days ago.
I am thankful for our teachers, for our nurses, doctors and leaders.
This is the first year in many I’ve have been at home to watch our national Remembrance Day Service at Ottawa. Taped interviews with veterans, footage about their service, and stories told by their families revealed ordinary men who rose to do the extraordinary when circumstances demanded it.
The daughter of one veteran said he loved deeply on three fronts: his family, his country, and God.
Another serviceman, asked how he got through the horrific circumstance of battle, said simply, “I had a job to do.” It’s a perspective expressed by many veterans.
I leave you with this comment from a near 100-year-old veteran, “Stay positive. Never give up.”
