(The contents of this Post provided by TL Johnson – 7/16/20)
The coronavirus has provided us with a very special GIFT. It’s priceless. And we may never again be the recipients of such a phenomenal life-changing gift. But even more important is the question- “What will you do with it?”
In the next few paragraphs, my challenge to you is to pull out a piece of paper and write down:
- Who am I?
- Who do I wish to become?
- What do I want to do with the rest of my life?
- What do I want to learn?
- What will be my life’s contribution?
- Who is important to me and why?
- WHAT and WHO do I truly CHERISH…
Most important, why have I spent so little of my life pursuing these critically important questions? We are so caught up in endless yearning for wealth, status and power; yet, what’s TRULY important is relegated, if at all, to a “someday” initiative. How senseless not to recognize the value in the people around us…not just our family, friends, colleagues and fellow citizens…but also complete strangers. We miss so many opportunities to give our lives meaning – every hour of every day – by honoring the sacredness of life and giving all living things the respect, sensitivity and care that they deserve.
If nothing else, Covid-19 has demonstrated to us the value of being with those we love, living in dignity and security, and recognizing the true purpose of all our businesses and economies, our political parties and governments, our local civic associations, our conventions and ideologies, and all our other systems: namely, to serve human needs and purposes.
This is your chance…the chance of a lifetime…to recognize your interdependence, your inability to succeed without the cooperation of others. We are all in the same boat and the virus can be defeated somewhere only when it is defeated everywhere. Covid-19 highlights the need for vigilance, for new narratives and reformed governance institutions…suddenly giving our lives new, inspiring meaning. What will you do with this opportunity? What is your narrative?