Don’t Worry, You Got This. Leading because you can’t not do it
The empty streets. The empty supermarket shelves. The face masks and the faint smell of disinfectant on the train. The death tolls. It feels like the world is ending.
“Bran thought about it. ‘Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?’ ‘That is the only time a man can be brave,’ his father told him.”
— George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
Grace under fire
But the toughest steel is forged in the hottest fires. And I’m inspired by the amazing acts of courage these past few weeks. The doctors and nurses, research scientists and government officials looking to contain the virus. But also the teachers, bus drivers, cleaners and people like you and me, who are showing up at work every day, despite the threat. Just stepping out of the house exposes you to the risk of infection, but you do it anyway. Why?
Because you can’t not do it. Because there are people who are depending on you to show up. People still need to eat. People still need to move around. The work still needs to be done. The problems still need to be fixed. Your work has PURPOSE. The coronavirus just adds another layer of complexity to your already too-complex life.
And you’re persevering. That takes COURAGE.
You hope that a pandemic attack like this never happens. But it has. No need to watch the show on Netflix, it’s happening right outside your door. And each one of us has a choice on how we deal with it.
Do we fight it and blame others? Do we give up and run away?
Or do we act with courage? Ask what could a better response look like?
Take a difficult situation and learn from it
Well, you could think that all this is happening FOR you, to help you build courage. Or compassion. We all need opportunities to train up our inner muscles.
By continuing to buy your normal groceries (instead of hoarding), you’re expressing a deep sense of unity with the community. You’re not just thinking about yourself. You’re also thinking about others.
By not putting on the mask (when you are well), you’re silently expressing a sense of solidarity: Yes, there is the coronavirus, but I’m carrying on with my life, anyway. Together we can do this. We got this, people.
From caring comes courage. — Lao Tzu
It might feel like you’re not doing anything special. But that’s not true. By sticking to your ordinary routine, you’re already doing something extraordinary. Because we’re living in extraordinary times. Our world has changed. And so shall we. We’ll emerge better, stronger and more united than before.
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