Introduction
Today we are talking about the World of Change. Note that I did not say “New Normal.” Life is always changing; change is the only constant. There is nothing new about change, so I am going to pass on the “new” term New Normal. Change is normal; there is nothing new about that.
What is changing? Are you changing?
Today’s Key Point: The corona crisis is giving us the opportunity to live better, and to live in a way that helps others. Are we doing that? Are we even willing to do that?
That is the subject of today’s 10-minute episode.
Continuing
This is a perfect time to remind ourselves that the core, driving principles at Revolution 2.0, are:
- Personal Responsibility; take it, teach it and,
- Be Your Brother’s Keeper. The answer to the biblical question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” is a ringing, unequivocal “Yes.” There is no other answer.
Let’s take some cues from the corona world and see how they apply to these basic principles:
- Face Masks: Wearing a face mask is not for your protection; it protects the people around you. It cannot block incoming viruses, but it does a good job of stopping the possibly infected droplets that come out of our mouths when breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing. In many societies, wearing a mask in public if at all sick is routine. Unlike the flu or a cold, no one knows for sure whether or not they have COVID-19; we must all assume that we might and act accordingly. If you want to help protect others, wear a mask when around them. If not, then don’t. But don’t shine me on with how the Constitution allows you not to wear one, and preach about you are not going to bow to big government liberals. Be your Brother’s Keeper. Wear a mask.
- Social distancing: This tactic keeps you and those around you safer. As does wearing gloves. Seems these tactics hit both points.
- Trump. Yes, President Trump: Is any part of how we are reacting to the pandemic and the numbers, recommendations and restrictions colored by our opinion of the President? If so, shame on us. Does anyone think that a single rational person judged major strategies and tactics in WWII in any part by how they viewed Franklin Roosevelt? Were their thoughts about things like the Europe First strategy, the invasions of Africa, Italy and France skewed by their like or dislike of FDR? Did a single thinking person blame President Roosevelt for us being unprepared for the Battle of the Bulge, the battle that took more American lives than any other battle in the war? Forget who we like or hate, it is all about the data and making logical conclusions from those data. We do ourselves and others a great harm if we indulge our personal likes and dislikes as we assess policies. Especially policies as important as those tied to the coronavirus.
To many of us, it seems that we are living out the movie “Groundhog Day”. Being in one place with the same people is getting to us, and we can all relate. But remember that in the movie, the protagonist, played by Bill Murray, makes huge personal progress–becoming a different person at the end. Are we taking advantage of the same opportunity?
- Families. Infuriating, wonderful, irreplaceable. Loving, testing, often more like us than not. And infuriating in ways that allow us to get deeper into prayer or meditation, and to practice loving patience. And to grow up.
- Personal development. If we are surrounded in an unexpected way by family, then this one is likely to be less important. But for many, we have more time to ourselves than before. How are we using it? Practicing music or a language? Reading good stuff? Watching uplifting things? Are we growing or are we sliding?
- Living small. Are we finding ways to be content with and enjoy what we have at hand? Good for the soul, good for the planet, good for the wallet.
Here are some things that have changed, likely forever. Not necessarily either good or bad, but changes nonetheless.
- Working from home: Isn’t it likely that many workers and their employers will see real lifestyle, time and cost advantages to doing things this way? Not everyone, but many. BTW, I remember when “working from home” meant you were unemployed, looking for a job. Today it might mean no commute, lower costs, and more freedom.
- Home delivery: Uber Eats, DoorDash and GrubHub are all refining and improving their home delivery mechanisms, and often are doing it with no delivery charge. Grocery deliveries are becoming more common. Speaking of change, the more things change, the more they stay the same–in some cases. I remember visiting my maternal grandmother, Mimi, many times. She alway had her groceries delivered to her apartment in Philadelphia.
- Technology: Let me start with a fun story here. About five years ago, I switched from having separate fax, copy, scan and print devices, and bought an all-in-one. I was explaining at the dinner table what I had done, and that each of the features were still available. Right after I told my wife and youngest son, Joshua, then 13, that I would install the new printer on their laptops, Joshua looked at me and asked, “What’s a fax?” Today, our home, as are many others, is well equipped with devices and bandwidth sufficient to handle school, work and entertainment via the Internet.
- Zoom: For twenty of the thirty years I lived in Silicon Valley, before returning to Colorado in 2008, I was in a tight group of guys who met for breakfast every Monday AM. We talked about our Christian faith, and how to use that to make us better fathers, husbands and employers. Not one of the five of us drove more than 10 miles to meetup on those Mondays. Three days ago, last Tuesday, four of us met again on Zoom. And we are all in different states now. No breakfast, no hugs, but two hours of deep connection. And we are set up to repeat this every other week.
- Virtual doctor visits: I have already had one, with another scheduled. These visits work well when there is primarily an information exchange. No driving and parking, and no time in waiting rooms. Not so much with my dentist and chiropractor. Both this and the Zoom meetings remind me that gas is cheap, and we can’t use it. In our cars, or in planes.
I am dedicated to using these times to be a better person–there is certainly a ton of room for improvement. What are your plans? How are you using your time and your thoughts?
Contact
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Will Luden, coming to you from 7,200’ in Colorado Springs.
