My father sewed a protective mask today. He is a retired surgeon. Once a surgeon, always a surgeon. My mother, also a retired internist, is crocheting prayer shawls for patients. Inspiring role models, they are finding ways to give back, to focus on the positive, to make a difference.
I was grateful to discover Kathleen O'Meara's poem, “And People Stayed Home” that she wrote in 1869. This was sent to me by a third year medical student who is a leader and volunteering in the community. Also a role model!
What else happened in 1869? The World History Project shares that it was the year Mohandas Gandhi was born, and it was the year that Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth Blackwell opened the Women’s Medical College in England. Also, “War and Peace” was published.
And people stayed home
and read books and listened
and rested and exercised
and made art and played
and learned new ways of being
and stopped
and listened deeper
someone meditated
someone prayed
someone danced
someone met their shadow
and people began to think differently
and people healed
and in the absence of people who lived in ignorant ways,
dangerous, meaningless and heartless,
even the earth began to heal
and when the danger ended
and people found each other
grieved for the dead people
and they made new choices
and dreamed of new visions
and created new ways of life
and healed the earth completely
just as they were healed themselves.
#REFLECT: Besides 2020 being the year that will forever be known as the one of quarantine and the coronavirus, what else will you do at home that will make a mark on your memories? What new visions will you dream?
How is the coronavirus changing the way you think of self-care, community and resilience? As this challenging time unfolds, I am posting a daily quote or poem on this blog with a reflection prompt. Please join in the conversation here or on Twitter with your thoughts or about what you are doing for self-care and care of others.
If you have time to read or know people who do, I humbly suggest my recent book, Resilient Threads: Weaving Joy and Meaning into Well-Being. If you have already read it, my publisher kindly asks me to suggest posting a review online, which helps other readers learn how the book may be of benefit.
What a beautiful, timeless poem.
I'm waiting for the yard to dry enough to start Spring gardening. Getting very excited about Spring!
I am loving your pod cast, especially today's with your Dad and Mom. I still use the shawl and neck scarf that she made for me. So, what am I doing during this time....walking when it is warm enough here in Michigan, spring cleaning a little each day, and this afternoon I made peanut butter cookies.