Let’s choose each other

Hello All,

COVID-19 still rules our lives at the moment. So many changes at one time. Shared experiences across the entire globe – heartbreaking and, as our human spirit shines, heartwarming.

I have been reaching for things to bring all of us comfort. I often look to what the social worker extraordinaire, professor, lecturer and author Brene Brown says. Here are her thoughts:

“This pandemic experience is a massive experiment in collective vulnerability. We can be our worst selves when we’re afraid, or our very best, bravest selves. In the context of fear and vulnerability, there is often very little in between because when we are uncertain and afraid our default is self protection. We don’t have to be scary when we’re scared. Let’s chose awkward, brave and kind. Let’s choose each other.”

I love this! We are all feeling vulnerable right now, for many different reasons. She didn’t say we had to be perfect. It is okay to be awkward – which is 100% me when I am trying not to hug people! (I definitely am a hugger! I think I will start making the heart sign.) It is okay to be brave even if it is a titch hard  – because the truth is we are all scared right now. It is always important to be kind. And I would add that it is okay to be positive. Ralph Marston said that “Being positive in a negative situation is not naïve. It’s leadership.”

The other thing that I have hear about and can be fun is the bear hunt! With so many children being out of school and perhaps walking outside with their parents, people across the country have begun to put teddy bears in their windows so children can look for bears while they are out! I am not sure where it started (Wichita? Philadelphia?), but I love the creativity! It just so happens that a teddy bear has migrated to my front window! I have some work to do to make him stand out more, but he is now standing watch over my neighborhood!

Once again I want to thank all of you who are working to keep us all fed, spiritually/physically/emotionally cared for, with electricity and all of the essential services and safe. You are there on the front lines. Bob Riley, former governor of Arkansas, said “Hard times don’t create heroes. It’s during hard times when the hero within us is revealed.” I would say that an incredible number of heroes have been revealed! And will continue to be revealed every day.

You are my heroes!

Phyl