Every morning I take a walk to get some fresh air and try to start the day “fresh” and think a bit and it was one a recent walk after Florida issued a “stay-at-home” order (that doesn’t apply to me) that I began to realize something. In 2011, I lived on a walled up military based. From 2012-2018, I lived in a walled up US Embassy compound, 2019 I moved to Florida and....live in a walled up gated community. So...this is either one of life's little ironic coincidences that keep things interesting or I apparently have developed some sort of weird, sub-conscious version of “Stockholm Syndrome.”
Then I went back to thinking about COVID-19 and what to post here. Initially, I thought about writing about staying safe and healthy and to adhere to the CDC guidelines, but then I thought that everyone must be tired of hearing “armchair medical advice” about washing your hands (yes! with soap!), not coughing or wiping your noses on each other, not poking yourself in the eyes, no licking doorknobs, no running with scissors, petting stray dogs, etc. All of those rules, by the way, were the same rules my mother taught me (shout out to Mom!).
So I thought about starting with a joke, but given how quickly horrific the virus has infected people and the impact COVID-19 has on all aspects of our lives, it seemed inappropriate and I didn’t want it to appear that I was trying to make light of the situation.
So not really knowing what to write...I decided to write a note...to myself.
Dear Future self,
I am writing this to you in hope that in twenty years or so, you will look back at this point in time and perhaps to reflect and remember what was going on in the world and perhaps make some sense of what happened, where you are now and how you got there. If I'm not around, well, let this be just one of many journal entries for future historians to use to piece together what happened in 2020.
Some panicked and began to hoard supplies. Some viewed the pandemic and repercussions of it as punishment from a higher power. Some claimed that this was a political-economic tool launched by one country or one group for political domination. Some took the perspective that COVID-19 was media sensationalized and shouldn’t be taken seriously. While others felt that if someone contracted the virus, they “had it coming” and that this would “weed out” society. No matter what you believe(d) Future Self, life changed. Borders were closed. You became separated from you family. Given all this, I hope that you:
1) acknowledge that while the COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment in the 21st century, it is biological and therefore we had “some'' control over it. Unlike certain dangers like earthquakes, bad weather, etc. that you cannot always willfully avoid or decrease your chances of encountering disaster, but Future Self, you can willfully take precautions to avoid biological dangers and passing them to others. For example, despite living in Florida and living in close proximity to alligators, you have not been attacked by an alligator, nor do I anticipate being attacked by one simply because I choose not to stand in swamps, lounge on the banks of muddy rivers at dusk and dawn, snuggle up to them, or swim in bodies of water with alligators; especially when there are signs posted against "molesting alligators." In regards to any virus, I wipe door handles, wash my hands with soap, I don’t touch everything I encounter, etc. This is not a 100% guarantee that I won’t get a virus, but this does decrease my chances. You did good in this regard Future Self.
2) focused on the bigger picture: change to a new “normal” lifestyle and how you prepared yourself to adapt to this change. Upheaval and change is difficult, but nothing new. Mankind and societies actually adapt and change every day with new technology, but don’t think about it because it is a nice, comfortable change (but one we should still be attentive to (you heard me Google!)). Yet, almost every generation has faced traumatic events that were called “end of an era” and were replaced with a new "normal." Of course, wars and disease are not the only catalysts of change. Think of economics and the Industrial Revolution completely altered world society and devastated many people's lives, altered families and social norms. Again, it didn’t happen as fast as viruses spread, but it did change everything at a great cost. Why is it difficult? Because of the masochist trait of mankind. Not only do we hurt each other, but we have a tendency hurt things even when they are good for us. Plus, time and time again, people become accustomed to and dependent on others (governments, communities, businesses, societies) to assume their responsibilities. As a result, the desire to learn, to assist, to try, to strive decreases and the feeling “powerless” is quietly and subtly nurtured. Future Self, I hope that you do not become complacent and that you understand that there is only going forward, adapting your lifestyle to the changes and accepting the responsibility that you have the ability to control a great deal of your life and happiness. The current challenge is not “the virus” or combating it, per se, but the lack of will or understanding of how to change and become responsible and make personal changes and not simply wait for this time to pass so you can try to return to the previous “normal.” Plus, not resuming the previous “normal” lifestyle is probably good as it was that “normal lifestyle” that created or at least exacerbated the spread of the virus anyway.
3) don’t get caught up in the hysteria and bad news that can mislead you. Social media can be a great tool for keeping people together and in touch, but it can also be a destructive one; essentially a virus itself when used irresponsibly. Yes, there will be more births, rise in STDs, deaths, divorces, economic problems, domestic violence, theft, hacking, etc. but we have not entered the age of “Hunger Games” or “Mad Max.” More people are trying to assist one another than to destroy one another. It is a cautious time of uncertainty, but not a time of hopelessness. Hopefully you will be part of the solution and not the problem.
4) appreciate what you have and mostly who you know. Future Self, you have the best network of friends and family that anyone could have. You are luckier than you deserve to be. You had a friend make and send you a bar of soap and send it from Europe. You know people that contact you just to see how you are doing. There is a lot to complain about given the state of things right now, but honestly Future Self, I hope you never forget that.
Future Self, I suppose that I’m not really writing about the immediate situation as I intended. I and many that I know try to take precautions, but I am curious about the world that you are in after all of this. Did we learn anything from this? Did we re-evaluate our priorities and learn that there are no immediate fixes? Or did we simply regress and go back to our bad habits and ways? Every generation there has been a horrible war and yet, when the war ends despite people declaring that they never want that to happen again, but it does and usually gets worse as we find more ways to hurt each other. Did we learn to take responsibility and accept consequences of actions? Did you cease watching situations fall apart and wait for someone else to fix it? Did we take steps to avoid hurting others for our own self gain? Did we stop using social media as a “source” of news? Did we start to pay attention to what we do, want and treat one another? Did we make realistic changes with realistic goals? Did we develop a more holistic relationship with the environment? I know, I know...too many questions and you cannot speak for others. Perhaps there was not great change in societies, but at least...did you do any of those things Future Self? I hope you did, because you needed to "live to your potential" as Mom says.
Well Future Self, I’m sure it will all work out in one way or another and perhaps you’ll be able to explain the whole hoarding of toilet paper phenomenon. On the other hand, if it doesn’t turn out as we hoped for then stand strong and refuse to bow down to our ape masters!
Sincerely
Current Self
Then I went back to thinking about COVID-19 and what to post here. Initially, I thought about writing about staying safe and healthy and to adhere to the CDC guidelines, but then I thought that everyone must be tired of hearing “armchair medical advice” about washing your hands (yes! with soap!), not coughing or wiping your noses on each other, not poking yourself in the eyes, no licking doorknobs, no running with scissors, petting stray dogs, etc. All of those rules, by the way, were the same rules my mother taught me (shout out to Mom!).
So I thought about starting with a joke, but given how quickly horrific the virus has infected people and the impact COVID-19 has on all aspects of our lives, it seemed inappropriate and I didn’t want it to appear that I was trying to make light of the situation.
So not really knowing what to write...I decided to write a note...to myself.
Dear Future self,
I am writing this to you in hope that in twenty years or so, you will look back at this point in time and perhaps to reflect and remember what was going on in the world and perhaps make some sense of what happened, where you are now and how you got there. If I'm not around, well, let this be just one of many journal entries for future historians to use to piece together what happened in 2020.
Some panicked and began to hoard supplies. Some viewed the pandemic and repercussions of it as punishment from a higher power. Some claimed that this was a political-economic tool launched by one country or one group for political domination. Some took the perspective that COVID-19 was media sensationalized and shouldn’t be taken seriously. While others felt that if someone contracted the virus, they “had it coming” and that this would “weed out” society. No matter what you believe(d) Future Self, life changed. Borders were closed. You became separated from you family. Given all this, I hope that you:
1) acknowledge that while the COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment in the 21st century, it is biological and therefore we had “some'' control over it. Unlike certain dangers like earthquakes, bad weather, etc. that you cannot always willfully avoid or decrease your chances of encountering disaster, but Future Self, you can willfully take precautions to avoid biological dangers and passing them to others. For example, despite living in Florida and living in close proximity to alligators, you have not been attacked by an alligator, nor do I anticipate being attacked by one simply because I choose not to stand in swamps, lounge on the banks of muddy rivers at dusk and dawn, snuggle up to them, or swim in bodies of water with alligators; especially when there are signs posted against "molesting alligators." In regards to any virus, I wipe door handles, wash my hands with soap, I don’t touch everything I encounter, etc. This is not a 100% guarantee that I won’t get a virus, but this does decrease my chances. You did good in this regard Future Self.
2) focused on the bigger picture: change to a new “normal” lifestyle and how you prepared yourself to adapt to this change. Upheaval and change is difficult, but nothing new. Mankind and societies actually adapt and change every day with new technology, but don’t think about it because it is a nice, comfortable change (but one we should still be attentive to (you heard me Google!)). Yet, almost every generation has faced traumatic events that were called “end of an era” and were replaced with a new "normal." Of course, wars and disease are not the only catalysts of change. Think of economics and the Industrial Revolution completely altered world society and devastated many people's lives, altered families and social norms. Again, it didn’t happen as fast as viruses spread, but it did change everything at a great cost. Why is it difficult? Because of the masochist trait of mankind. Not only do we hurt each other, but we have a tendency hurt things even when they are good for us. Plus, time and time again, people become accustomed to and dependent on others (governments, communities, businesses, societies) to assume their responsibilities. As a result, the desire to learn, to assist, to try, to strive decreases and the feeling “powerless” is quietly and subtly nurtured. Future Self, I hope that you do not become complacent and that you understand that there is only going forward, adapting your lifestyle to the changes and accepting the responsibility that you have the ability to control a great deal of your life and happiness. The current challenge is not “the virus” or combating it, per se, but the lack of will or understanding of how to change and become responsible and make personal changes and not simply wait for this time to pass so you can try to return to the previous “normal.” Plus, not resuming the previous “normal” lifestyle is probably good as it was that “normal lifestyle” that created or at least exacerbated the spread of the virus anyway.
3) don’t get caught up in the hysteria and bad news that can mislead you. Social media can be a great tool for keeping people together and in touch, but it can also be a destructive one; essentially a virus itself when used irresponsibly. Yes, there will be more births, rise in STDs, deaths, divorces, economic problems, domestic violence, theft, hacking, etc. but we have not entered the age of “Hunger Games” or “Mad Max.” More people are trying to assist one another than to destroy one another. It is a cautious time of uncertainty, but not a time of hopelessness. Hopefully you will be part of the solution and not the problem.
4) appreciate what you have and mostly who you know. Future Self, you have the best network of friends and family that anyone could have. You are luckier than you deserve to be. You had a friend make and send you a bar of soap and send it from Europe. You know people that contact you just to see how you are doing. There is a lot to complain about given the state of things right now, but honestly Future Self, I hope you never forget that.
Future Self, I suppose that I’m not really writing about the immediate situation as I intended. I and many that I know try to take precautions, but I am curious about the world that you are in after all of this. Did we learn anything from this? Did we re-evaluate our priorities and learn that there are no immediate fixes? Or did we simply regress and go back to our bad habits and ways? Every generation there has been a horrible war and yet, when the war ends despite people declaring that they never want that to happen again, but it does and usually gets worse as we find more ways to hurt each other. Did we learn to take responsibility and accept consequences of actions? Did you cease watching situations fall apart and wait for someone else to fix it? Did we take steps to avoid hurting others for our own self gain? Did we stop using social media as a “source” of news? Did we start to pay attention to what we do, want and treat one another? Did we make realistic changes with realistic goals? Did we develop a more holistic relationship with the environment? I know, I know...too many questions and you cannot speak for others. Perhaps there was not great change in societies, but at least...did you do any of those things Future Self? I hope you did, because you needed to "live to your potential" as Mom says.
Well Future Self, I’m sure it will all work out in one way or another and perhaps you’ll be able to explain the whole hoarding of toilet paper phenomenon. On the other hand, if it doesn’t turn out as we hoped for then stand strong and refuse to bow down to our ape masters!
Sincerely
Current Self
Feeling kind of the same way, Jason. :)
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