As I was faced with another day of sticking to my routines, I felt compelled to put some thoughts on paper as this will be a time in our history that will be remembered far beyond the confines of its beginnings and greatly longed for end. There has been a great deal of commentary over the last several weeks that far surpasses my feeble abilities to really add or detract. Much of what we have heard has been political, economic, and medical in scope. Anyone who has paid a modicum of attention has at this point probably heard enough to have formed an opinion good, bad, or indifferent on each respective core element.

My feelings on this are pretty simple. If you liked Trump before all of this came down, you most likely support him as much or more than you did before. If you disliked him before, I would wager you dislike like him as much now and perhaps your dislike is more vitriolic.  If you saw the hand of God in all aspects of life before all of this came down, you most likely continue to see the world that way and perhaps that tendency has increased??? For me I believe it is important to say that God did not cause Covid-19 but He certainly can use it. And thus, ends my attempt to dissect all of this on a higher plane. Anyone who knows me, knows where I stand, and it is not my intention to attempt conversion to God or Trump in this space at this time.

I have been stuck by a plethora of far more trivial insights and observations that I feel the need to memorialize and remember as the sharp, tactile memories will fade quickly with the passage of time; that is simply the way life works. I heard a saying / dialogue once that has always stuck with me and perhaps now is as good of a time as any to introduce it. Kind of a question and answer thing so bear with me.

“What time is it?” “Now”

“Where are you?” “Here”

“What are you?” This moment.”

I wanted to include this as I do believe it is a lesson of Covid-19. The hectic pace of life pre-virus rarely allowed us a moment to live in the moment. Rather, it WAS an existence of continual striving and hurry, consumerism on over-drive, and a belief in the cult of celebrity and wealth, with little time for personal reflection. Now I’m not saying that all of this has been thrown on the trash heap of self-quarantine and social distancing. I am saying that there has been a bit of a (needed) pause that may in fact ultimately lead to a better way. I’m hopeful, yet not overly optimistic as human beings are known for very short memories. Civic Patriotism was a thing after 9-11 for a time. How did that work out? Exactly.

Horace Mann once said the following.

“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.”

I’m not quite sure as to why that was the line that got me writing yet I must say that I have seen little victories all around me in this gigantic, epochal test for humanity. I have also seen some things that have made me laugh quite frankly. Nothing seems to bring out the diversity of human reaction better than a threat that has the power to take life randomly and haphazardly. The following are some of my prosaic, common-place insights in no particular order.

  1. Sunny days have ability to make anything a little bit better and more optimistic.
  2. Long walks are actually underrated in terms of their ability to soothe the soul and brighten the spirit.
  3. I cannot remember the last time I learned so many new words (comorbidity, hydroxychloroquine, quercetin, RO- meaning “R naught,” zinc oxalate)
  4. I know it is Spring, but the birds seem happier than usual.
  5. When you are forced to change a routine, it is imperative that you start a new routine. Mental health seems to need structure.
  6. Seeing young families walking together and coping together, is a beautiful thing.
  7. People are friendlier out on the streets. In the context of walking / biking / running…
  8. Those people who tend to be optimists don’t stop being optimists. In fact, I believe they become more optimistic when there is every reason to deviate just a little.
  9. Those people who tend to be pessimists don’t stop being pessimists. In fact, I believe they become more pessimistic when there is every reason to deviate just a little.
  10. Civilians (nonmedical people) put on a mask and instantly suffer a loss of brain cells and/or common sense. Not all, but enough to generalize and call it a trend.
  11. Dogs have little ability to curb their enthusiasm in the face of a scary pandemic. This is a good thing.
  12. Sharing more time and the same space with your spouse for long periods requires planning and compromise. Don’t get me wrong, it has been great, but it is a subtle dance. Yes, I am trying to be funny to a point.
  13. Humans are social creatures, even the introverts. All a matter of degree…
  14. I don’t miss sports that much. Being a fan is hard work and often quite aggravating. Refreshing to have that time back…
  15. Reading novels is a lost art and that is a shame.
  16. I didn’t care for celebrities much before and I care what they think even less now.
  17. I’ve never played a video game in my life and thankfully social isolation posed no threat to a streak I continue to build on.
  18. A hot bath with Epsom salts and essential oils is one of life’s simple pleasures. I knew that before all of this, but a refresher course has been really great.
  19. Social isolation is a great time to ponder great sayings like this one by Friedrich Nietzsche- “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” Our “how” has been pretty easy relative to the great scope of history yet the “why” always seems to be pretty similar. Often comes down to people we care about…
  20.  “Wherever You are, there You are.” Attitude controls most every situation, good, bad, or indifferent. A change in geography often does not lead to a change in psychology.

Pretty sure I have yet to win any great victories for humanity as of yet. I do believe that times of strife and hardship can turn out to be real blessings in disguise and I for one hope it is possible to retain some of these lessons far beyond the COVID-19 Days.

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

Soren Kierkegaard

Thomas M. Cook

4/20/20