How we react to #COVID19 matters, it’s what people will remember. How do you want to be remembered?
Being Remembered After COVID-19
Fighting COVID-19
COVID-19 is a killer. Maybe not as bad as Hitler but I believe we need those same kind of heroes that defeated him to stand up today. There will be those who will keep their heads in the sand as deniers and not be willing to do their part to fight this evil opponent. As a result, this virus will continue to spread and become more entrenched in our society. We need people to fight back just as my grandfather who was an American in Canada that chose to serve with the Canadian RCAF. The sooner people are more actively resisting this enemy, the sooner it will be defeated.
I enjoy social interaction as much as the next person. Thank God I actually enjoy my wife and we are blessed with wonderful student boarders who are showing grace under pressure. As a group, we are being responsible and keeping distance from anyone outside the home. My wife and I will go to the lakeshore for walks together but mostly avoid spending time with other people. I think the boys are doing much the same. We are definitely all practicing good hygiene habits, soap and water before and after eating, entering or leaving the house. You may laugh at this but there is even a bottle of hand sanitizer taped to the post inside the front door and everyone is expected to use when coming in from being out.
All that to say I challenge you to join forces and do your part to fight this.
How Do You Want To Be Remembered
It’s my belief COVID-19 will be talked about for generations to come. Just as I taught my kids about my grandfathers fighting to protect our freedom, they will be teaching their kids about how we pulled together as a society to make everlasting changes to make sure nothing like this happens again or if it does, that we are prepared to fight.
We make a choice when we get out of bed every day that will affect not only the day but the direction our lives take. We can choose to get angry about everything that goes wrong or to be happy about new opportunities and think forward to positive change when we get through this. Remember when you are on social media or talking to others that the words you use matter.
When you are posting on social media, you are creating a permanent record that will likely still be searchable long after we leave this earth. Even when you delete things, Google often shows cached files. It’s never really gone.
Lest We Forget
There will be those who are offended at using the words “Lest We Forget” but I”m trying to make a couple of points with this. First, don’t think when we get past COVID-19 that the fight is over. There will be lessons learned that will need to be remembered to make sure this never happens to this degree again. The other thing to remember is that you will be remembered! How do you want that to look? Are you the person who was supportive, provided a shoulder to lean on and did their part to protect their family and friends or will you be that person who was greedy, selfish and ignorant of the consequences of not fighting?
Don’t hoard the toilet paper! Help your neighbours if they need it. Do what you can to keep yourself and your family safe. Fight this virus, not your neighbours.
Make it a great day,
Barry
P.S. What am I thankful for today? I’m thankful for my family and friends, cell phones and internet. What are you thankful for today?
Although this lacks the aperture ring, I love the range and the ability to work with reasonably low light. As long as the camera isn’t having issues controlling the lens aperture (
Mar 14
Leadership In Challenging Times
March 14, 2020
Leadership is something everyone is capable of and important in these challenging times.
Leadership
Leadership isn’t something that just comes naturally. It comes easier for some than others but the best leaders work hard at it. What we choose to say and how we say it can matter.
I remember an old saying “stick stones can break my bones but names can never hurt me”. We were so wrong! When we call someone stupid or criticize how they feel, you might just as well have hit them. We always told our kids to use their words but I hope we taught them to use them with caring and kindness. In challenging times like today, we need to show leadership in how we not only behave but how we use our words.
Challenging Times
With COVID-19 society is facing fear and a very challenging time. Leadership now will be important in the recovery process. The past few days have shown evidence through things like the hordes of people in the stores busily trying to make sure their families will be OK. In the process, many have been left without and there was even an incident in a large metropolitan centre in Canada where there was a shooting over groceries for God’s sake.
We can either focus on all the negative stories about looting type behaviour and slam each other for whatever approach each takes or we can show leadership by making the choice to focus on the positive and what we have control over.
This is the time for leadership. Are you up for it?
Leadership Challenge!
Will you be a follower or a leader?
We all have a choice to make today. Either we will follow the hysterical crowd or we can assume a leadership role and help those people find their way back to some semblance of normalcy, whatever that is!
I have seen so many posts lately on Facebook about toilet paper in short supply and everyone being so fearful of something we can’t really control. What we CAN control is how we act, react and treat others. Sure, it’s prudent to practice safe living like washing your hands and making sure you aren’t the one to make others sick but it’s also prudent to find ways to infect others with positivity. For example, a friend’s daughter passed away at a very young age and she came to me to talk because she knew I had lost a son at a similar age. I made it very clear at the time that if she was looking for a pity party, I’m not the one to turn to. This was about four years ago and she comes for a morning hug to this day. She knows that coming to me will result in reassurance that life goes on and it’s up to us to show our families that life is for the living, not to get stuck wallowing in self pity.
No pity parties for me!!!
My challenge to everyone is to make the decision to be a leader and help others understand we will survive and there will be life after COVID-19! It’s a choice.
Make it a great day!
Barry
P.S. What am I thankful for today? I’m thankful my parent’s taught me good hygiene, respect for others and to lead by example. What are you thankful for today?