“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.”
Henry Ward Beecher
I thought I’d share this meme with you that has been circulating. Hopefully it will put a smile on your face. I couldn’t help but laugh when I found it on Facebook, and thought, “Yeah, that’s what it feels like.” At any moment, we’re going to get picked off by something unbelievably frightening. Our lives are turning into a reality show, and all the writers of horror stories have joined together to script the show entitled, “What’s next?”
2020 what else should we expect?
“What’s next?” would be an appropriate title, because that’s the question on all of our minds, right? What’s next after all of this disruption has its way with us? What will the world look like? Am I going to face the illness or death of a loved one or even myself? I don’t think I’ve ever felt more out of control in my life, but there are people in far worse circumstances that I can imagine. I am aware how fortunate I am to be safe, have a place to sleep and food is not an issue. It feels like we’re back to clinging to the basic needs.
It will be four weeks since I arrived in France. I’m not sure when I’ll be returning home at this point, or how it will feel to be back. My heart breaks for both of my homes and the world. Although Italia seems to be stabilizing, it will be a long road back to anything that resembles normal. The US is heading deeper into the worst part of the crisis. I worry about my family and friends in both places. There’s a lot to make my heart heavy.
I find myself watching the stories and feeling hopeless about what’s next. At some point, your mind protects itself and just starts to cloud over from the news feeds, the pictures and the videos. It’s a bit like the grief experience after the death of a loved-one. The gravity of the situation is too hard to face head-on, so your subconscious feeds it to you in small doses. It’s covered in a varnished dullness of disbelief until you can absorb it fully. It’s impossible not to weep at the images and the stories. It feels as if the entire world is going through the grieving process together–we’re mourning the death of socialization, comfort, convenience and security.
I have had a lot of time to reflect on life during my daily walk with Elsie (the dog of the house) and think long and hard about the current state of my life. The year 2019 was full of adventure, discovery, love and growth. The year 2020 so far is a #$@&$! If I had the chance to cancel or restart 2020, I would. However, I can’t. We’re all in this now trying to find a daily lift, something to bring hope. It’s a constant stretch to find something positive. Life is on hold, and the year 2020 interrupted.
There is still a lot of good news
Recently, I scoured the internet for good news stories, things that could be uplifting – showing human beings and our broader civilization at its best. These gave me signs of hope to soothe my “what’s next” anxiety a bit. I sorted through a number of stories, and I’ll share the ones that were most interesting to me. I hope they bring an uplift to you.
Elle Magazine Online published 42 Positive News Stories in the following article on April 3, there are a few things that made me smile. https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/g31658888/coronavirus-covid-19-good-news
BBC News provided this perspective on March 28. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52068233
On April 1, the Guardian published an article acknowledging the African immigrants in Italia working in the fields during this time. They are providing valuable food to feed the population. It highlights their own struggle for recognition in society, not unlike the Mexican immigrant story woven deep within the US. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/a-beautiful-thing-the-african-migrants-getting-healthy-food-to-italians
On April 4, also by The Guardian, was a sweet story about 99-year old Rita Reynolds. She is believed to be the oldest survivor in Great Britain to recover from Covid-19. She recovered after she was prescribed end-of-life drugs. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/great-grandmothers-secret-to-beating-covid-19-marmalade-sandwiches
Finally, on the medical development front, I thought it was hopeful to reference the following page from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufactures. The highlight here is, “As of March 2020, there are a number of therapeutics currently in clinical trials and more than 20 vaccines in development.” https://www.ifpma.org/subtopics/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-industrys-rd-efforts/
Keep the faith in whatever you believe
As I stated in my last blog, there has never been a time when the world has united around a common goal. I have faith that it will yield results, we just have to get through the next several weeks without losing ourselves in the process. This is time for all of us to have faith in something much bigger than us; the collective human spirit, the Divine, or the universal source or love. This is beyond the individual, and will take a collective effort. This is the time to help each other.
When you see someone low, bring them higher. If someone is anxious or scared, comfort and soothe them. If you see a need, offer to help. Be useful any way possible. The collective kindness of billions of people is at work and will bring us through this.
The Italian expression “andrà tutto bene” means, “all will be well.” I have faith in the future and in my fellow humans. In the meantime, I’m going to remind myself to focus on what’s now instead of what’s next. I am going to try to be patient and loving with myself, and I will strive to be that way with others.
If you have any “good news” stories or links, let us know what part of the world you are from and share your good news with us in the comments. Thank you for following The Spaghetti Diaries, and above all, be well now and leave some love behind where you see it missing.
Luke
My good news story: I was lucky to be joined here in my home by a dear friend who is sitting out this confinement with Me, and with Elsie, making each day a positive experience. Word from the US is that our families are healthy and safe. One day rolls into the other, and we are still here.
Yes..we are both lucky. Thank you for allowing me to be here, and for hosting me during the sequester. I am fortunate to be learning some new ways of cooking, spending time with a long-dear friend, and of course the daily 5:00 walk with Elsie! And yes, we are still here!
I am in Italy and we are TURNING THE CORNER!!!! hip hip hooray. I learned to be a little patient, to cook with beans, and how important it is to think. Andre Tutto Bene!!!
Yes!! We are turning the corner and I hope other do soon. Patience is key. I’m glad you are learning to cook more with beans – my favorite is pane cotto with cannellini. https://www.italymagazine.com/recipe/pancotto-penitential-roots-italian-classic Thank you for your comment and please be well! Andrà tutto bene!
Lucca,
Thanks for sending your latest thoughts. Well timed and well said as usual. I find myself waiting for them now! Good news story is the air quality in LA has markedly improved due to less care on the road! How about that!
Also, I was listening to Brené Browns newest podcast show called “unlocking us”. It is so well done and I know how much you enjoy her Texas wit, charm and brilliance!
Her first podcast was entitled FFT’s ( first fricken time). And u k is she does not substitute fricken for the f bomb…It’s how she talks about the pandemic. As she said—“ I don’t know about y’all but this is my first pandemic! So all the feelings we are feeling are real and and and….. Just go with it peeps…
GINA and I were using one word to describe how we felt after 21 days of “shelter at home”. We came up with isolating and limiting… and we also know this too shall pass!
Stay safe in Nerac and so glad u and Maurine are sheltering together!
Sending our love!
Thank you…and I hope to keep you anticipating them.
Yes..when the sky is blue here..it’s a really crazy blue. I have only heard one plane over head in about a week..and the only sounds are birds and rushing water. How amazing is that? Yes..behind it is an economic engine grinding to a halt. I can’t fix that , but I can listen to the birds.
I just flipped through a Brene Brown YouTube video..but now I’m anxious to listen to the “Unlocking Us”…and I will definitely look her up in my spare time today (which is basically all day!). 🙂
First F#$% Time! Isn’t that the case…somebody needs to start writing a rule book – “Living in Pandemic”..the 10 dos/don’t. I hope this is our first and only pandemic in my lifetime – but she is right. Who knows how to go through this? I think that is a GREAT suggestion to fill my time today. I’ll let you know what I glean from that.
Isolating and limiting is definitely the new black this month…everybody’s wearing it!!
You be safe – hugs to you and Gina..and love you both! Thank you for being fantastic friends that always lift my spirits! XOXO
Love u Lucca!
And yes let me k ow what u think of the “unlocking us” podcast. Really good!
Be safe!👏🤗❤️
Love you too!! I’m listening to Brené Brown on over/under-functioning and the “The Dance of Connection” as I type. Oh my…I think I have found my latest self-improvement project. I love her direct cut through the crap approach. So far so good!
This is a troublesome time but this will pass. I hope families and friends will take more time in the future to slow down and enjoy each other, their homes and a life that should not be taken for granted. I’m hearing of families having the time to do things such as family time, games, etc. and that’s good. I hope the new habits and lifestyle continue once this is over.
Stay well and safe my dear special friend. Love you!
Thanks, Linda. You are right..this will pass, it may take a whole lot of normalcy with it – but we will be ok. I agree, I see families enjoying their time together, friends reconnecting over video chats, and people realizing how much we take for granted. I also hope the new habits become commonplace when much of this is over. Sending love to you, the kids and the grandkids 🙂
Great to hear that you’re doing well Luke.
It’s certainly a challenging time in the modern human era, but as you noted, there are some positives happening as well. I appreciate the stories and links you shared and believe we all can all benefit from focusing on the good things more often! And, those “good things” aren’t always found in our phones or the TV either. Cristina and I find ourselves spending more time talking with kids, checking in on family, reaching out to friends and family, and engaging more frequently in good old fashioned conversations. We’ve always done this, but this temporary new world norm has given us pause to give thoughtful consideration to those things that we truly value. There’s a “blessing in disguise” here, in that it has provided us all a great opportunity to refresh our approach to life, remember what is important and to be grateful.
I look forward your next story, but until them, please stay safe and take care my friend.
Paul