We are living in some strange times right now. Some folks are quarantined in their homes. Others in are a virtual lockup in nursing homes or other like places. Many others have so restricted their movements as to be at least semi-quarantined. All this is caused by an invisible virus we now know as Covid-19. It is ironic that something so miniscule could be wrecking such havoc on a global scale. It is unlike a tornado or hurricane, which weather folks predict days in advance. This virus is a sneaky little devil.
For too long, people in the US might hear some report of Wuhan in China and feel some slight sorry that “those poor folks” were suffering. Our lives were fine and we smugly carried on as if we would never have to deal with that little thing. And then, some reports came from Korea, but that’s not very threatening. It is still in Asia, so no problem. But wait a minute. There are many folks among us who are Chinese and Korean. Sadly, the diabolical reaction of racism and xenophobia (fear of strangers) become pronounced.
Then reports begin to emerge all over Europe and now in the US. The little bugger has invaded and infested people all over the place. We are all in this one big global mess together. No longer are people afraid of strangers; we have become afraid for ourselves---and maybe of ourselves. We all know folks do crazy things when they are afraid. The worst in human behavior can manifest itself in unfortunate ways.
The devilish thing about this little devil, the virus, is we don’t initially know we even have the bug. And we can meet others who seem fine, but we don’t know whether they are harboring the little killer either. It has been likened to a ticking bomb, I have heard as an analogy. Individually, we don’t know whether we have nothing in us, only a firecracker or maybe a few sticks of dynamite!
Only time will tell. No doubt, some will worry. They will ask whether it will simply blow by or will they be blown up? That is a dramatic portrayal, but it became a way for me to frame some reflective thoughts. I am aware of all the real drama surrounding Covid. I am an age group for whom there is some concern. As easy as it is for me to be an idiot, I am trying to be prudent----the virtue meaning common sense and wisdom. I feel for those on the front line of dealing with this. One of my daughters is a physician; she is a front-liner.
It is easy to smirk at the analogy that posits Covid is a ticking bomb. But if you get the virus, it might just be. Maybe if you are young and healthy, it is simply a firecracker. It might burn your fingers a bit, if it goes off---a day to two feeling fluish. But ultimately, no harm. For others the ticking bomb is dynamite---it will blow you up and there will be a funeral. Globally, those numbers are now in the thousands and climbing.
Someday, we expect, it will be contained. A vaccine might be invented; it might run its course. For most folks in that day, the ticking will seemingly disappear and life will resume as normal. We can return to our wasteful ways of living. We can waste time doing stupid stuff. Finally, we can start taking things for granted, just the way it used to be in the good old days before Covid.
Then it became apparent to me. The real thing ticking might not actually be Covid-19. Saying that in no way minimizes the stark reality the whole globe is facing and every one of us copes with. The real devil is not the little virus we now call Covid. The real virus is the viral malignancy of lives blown away by our own stupidity. Sometimes this is called sin, but it is much more pervasive that what the word, sin, normally suggests.
The way I understand stupidity means quite smart people can be stupid. Lazy folks and industrious people can both be stupid. I clearly like to think about it in spiritual terms. I can put it very generally and say spiritual means living the right way and doing the right thing. We talk about keeping our priorities in the right order. That means things like being virtuous---love instead of fear, etc.
Whatever ultimately happens with Covid, the ticking will continue in each of us. The ticking is our lives being lived out in daily doses. Ultimately, we will have a funeral for each of us. The ticking---whether it is the Covid-19 virus or only our life---brings us to this end. The real question is always “the meantime.” What can I be today? Who can I be today?
Choose love. Be caring or, even, compassionate. Be a blessing, rather one who makes a mess. Finally, make life a party, not a pity.
For too long, people in the US might hear some report of Wuhan in China and feel some slight sorry that “those poor folks” were suffering. Our lives were fine and we smugly carried on as if we would never have to deal with that little thing. And then, some reports came from Korea, but that’s not very threatening. It is still in Asia, so no problem. But wait a minute. There are many folks among us who are Chinese and Korean. Sadly, the diabolical reaction of racism and xenophobia (fear of strangers) become pronounced.
Then reports begin to emerge all over Europe and now in the US. The little bugger has invaded and infested people all over the place. We are all in this one big global mess together. No longer are people afraid of strangers; we have become afraid for ourselves---and maybe of ourselves. We all know folks do crazy things when they are afraid. The worst in human behavior can manifest itself in unfortunate ways.
The devilish thing about this little devil, the virus, is we don’t initially know we even have the bug. And we can meet others who seem fine, but we don’t know whether they are harboring the little killer either. It has been likened to a ticking bomb, I have heard as an analogy. Individually, we don’t know whether we have nothing in us, only a firecracker or maybe a few sticks of dynamite!
Only time will tell. No doubt, some will worry. They will ask whether it will simply blow by or will they be blown up? That is a dramatic portrayal, but it became a way for me to frame some reflective thoughts. I am aware of all the real drama surrounding Covid. I am an age group for whom there is some concern. As easy as it is for me to be an idiot, I am trying to be prudent----the virtue meaning common sense and wisdom. I feel for those on the front line of dealing with this. One of my daughters is a physician; she is a front-liner.
It is easy to smirk at the analogy that posits Covid is a ticking bomb. But if you get the virus, it might just be. Maybe if you are young and healthy, it is simply a firecracker. It might burn your fingers a bit, if it goes off---a day to two feeling fluish. But ultimately, no harm. For others the ticking bomb is dynamite---it will blow you up and there will be a funeral. Globally, those numbers are now in the thousands and climbing.
Someday, we expect, it will be contained. A vaccine might be invented; it might run its course. For most folks in that day, the ticking will seemingly disappear and life will resume as normal. We can return to our wasteful ways of living. We can waste time doing stupid stuff. Finally, we can start taking things for granted, just the way it used to be in the good old days before Covid.
Then it became apparent to me. The real thing ticking might not actually be Covid-19. Saying that in no way minimizes the stark reality the whole globe is facing and every one of us copes with. The real devil is not the little virus we now call Covid. The real virus is the viral malignancy of lives blown away by our own stupidity. Sometimes this is called sin, but it is much more pervasive that what the word, sin, normally suggests.
The way I understand stupidity means quite smart people can be stupid. Lazy folks and industrious people can both be stupid. I clearly like to think about it in spiritual terms. I can put it very generally and say spiritual means living the right way and doing the right thing. We talk about keeping our priorities in the right order. That means things like being virtuous---love instead of fear, etc.
Whatever ultimately happens with Covid, the ticking will continue in each of us. The ticking is our lives being lived out in daily doses. Ultimately, we will have a funeral for each of us. The ticking---whether it is the Covid-19 virus or only our life---brings us to this end. The real question is always “the meantime.” What can I be today? Who can I be today?
Choose love. Be caring or, even, compassionate. Be a blessing, rather one who makes a mess. Finally, make life a party, not a pity.
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