Right now Coronavirus is affecting everyone. We are at home quarantined for who knows how long and everything is canceled. It has been a good couple of days: the sun is shining and it feels almost like summer. I have been getting a lot done and completing small tasks that I don't usually have time for. It's been nice to catch up on life and I feel like it is a much-needed break. Of course, I miss school, my friends and seeing people. I was reflecting on my day and how perfect it was: I went on a walk and the sun felt so nice, the mountains were blue and glistening and the birds were singing.
Suddenly, I thought about the world being bigger than my life and how millions of people are not experiencing the pure comfort, joy, and happiness that I did today. Looking at my life, it's incredible but there's so much that I could give to the world. Yes, it is important to practice self-care but there's more that I could be doing in the next few weeks to help any community. This virus is affecting so many people and I want to be more involved and make a difference. It's not just about talking the talk, it's about walking the walk. I've gone as far as feeling strongly about problems, writing about them, and expressing my concern but I need to actually do something.
Just last week I wrote a research paper about plastic use and its effects on the environment. That is something I feel very strongly about and I want to make an impact. However, I have not yet made that final step toward stopping plastic use myself. I still am part of the problem and like many, my consumerism or greed can overpower the caring side of me.
I am lucky to be quarantined in my beautiful home with my family while others may not have this choice. Finding food (or even toilet paper) may be hard for them. All of this came to mind after I was thinking, maybe too hard, about simple agitations that are not worth worrying over. Stepping back, I realize that what seems bad, isn’t really bad. What seems like the worst, isn’t really the worst.
Maybe tomorrow I will reach out to some friends and see if there is anything I can do. I think the best tool to use right now is the internet because people have nothing better to do than check Facebook and it is much safer than going out and helping people directly. I do not think Coronavirus is going away anytime soon. This is just the beginning and although others are hopeful, everyone will get this virus at some point.
Hello Ava, thank you for sharing your perspective. I agree this is not going away anytime soon. Please stay creative and open-hearted it is good to hear as there are some very scary and sad stories moving around. I think I will only read what you have to say. Love you lots.
Hello Ava, thank you for sharing your perspective. I agree this is not going away anytime soon. Please stay creative and open-hearted it is good to hear as there are some very scary and sad stories moving around. I think I will only read what you have to say. Love you lots.