Navigating COVID-19

COVID-19 has rocked my world, and I think it is safe to say we all feel the same way. I was thinking about the first time I heard about the virus and really did not give it much space in my mind. Now, over a year later and it dominates the internet, news media, and our daily conversations. What I know is, it is real, it has and continues to devastate lives, and it will continue to be ever present in our world for the unforeseen future.

Before I begin to share some of my thoughts and feelings, I will preface that I have seen the affects of COVID-19 in friends and by association; it is very real, and it is wreaking havoc here, and all over the world. I will however share how I feel fear mongering, government control, and biased media outlets have created divide and discord in our communities, Cities, Provinces and Country. Our so-called democracy is slowly eroding as we allow our leaders to dictate "their plan", using public pressure and suppressing our ability to share an opinion that might differ from the pre-planned agenda, and turning one against another. Whether we talk about mask use, vaccinations, gatherings, or school closures, we are divided. Instead of working together for a strong community, economy, and best-interest principals, we are forcing personal agenda's, not listening well, and not showing respect for those who choose something different than us.

I do not condone blatant disrespect for rules; however, I think it is important that we understand and process rules. I am by nature a rule follower; always have been. The pandemic has stretched me and pushed me outside my comfort zone, because I have had to take every rule, situation, plan, and change under examination. I would be remiss if I did not carefully consider my rights, health and safety of myself and others, yet not blindly following guidelines that do not make sense or line up with my personal convictions.

I will say that this COVID-19 journey has been hard for me. I often feel very alone in how I view this situation. As a result, I keep my personal opinions and convictions to myself by and large. Why? Because I know that with so much divide, I do not want to be a part in causing more. My goal here in this short life on earth is to be a change-maker, advocate, friend, confidant, educator, and supporter. How can I do that if I make myself unapproachable? In a perfect world (which we will never see this side of heaven), we would co-exist in peace, communion, and love. COVID-19 has undone peace, communion, and love.

My whole purpose in tackling this topic (which has been eating away at me), is to challenge each of you to look inside your heart and to be conscious; what are you doing and why are you doing it? Is it based on fear? Are your speech and your actions going to evoke positive change, forward momentum, and benefit the lives of others? Are you fighting your battles with pride as the catalyst, or humility, grace, and love? I have been convicted as I have worked through my thoughts and feelings. My conclusion is that without love as the basis for all my decisions, my actions, words, and good intentions will have little impact in this world.

Let us do better, respect more, judge less, and be the change we want to see in our very dark world.