Some days I focus on the battles over toilet paper and the empty supermarket shelves. Some days it is easy to only see the Centrelink queues and financial hardships. To read the endless news feeds about numbers of cases increasing and a spiralling death toll. To look at photos of mass graves around the world.
Other days I have the strength to focus on the good news stories, the courage and sense of humour people show in times of adversity. To laugh at the bin antics of Australians excited to take their bins out. The songs sung and danced at dusk on balconies around the world. When the world’s rug has been ripped from under humanity’s feet, little acts of kindness make all the difference.
My neighbourhood is full of rainbows, hearts and teddy bears. This gives me joy as I walk our dog and enjoy the autumn sunshine. There is a rainbow on the nature strip made of painted rocks and several rainbows in front windows. There are love hearts made of paper and some drawn by (presumably) very young hands. There are teddy bears crowded in windows and on a front veranda.
These simple signs of love and compassion bring joy. I try to focus on these and the positive stories.
On the days I can’t, I focus on God and the words of Julian of Norwich, “…and all shall be well and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”
(Copy the links below and paste into your search engine to view.)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4gBnXw5lg
www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2020/mar/19/balconies-sites-hope-coronavirus-in-pictures
www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-25/coronavirus-bear-hunts-around-the-world-including-melbourne/12085168