The Other Virus

Two viruses are plaguing our world. Both are invisible, at pandemic levels, highly contagious and toxic.

The first is COVID-19.

The second is fear.

As a society, we are hearing megabytes of scary, tragic information on the coronavirus every day. From personal hygiene practices, social distancing and school/workplace closures to the increasing economic hardships, the rising number of those infected and the escalating mortality count -- it can be difficult to find and maintain inner peace and hope.

Operating as a cohort to the coronavirus, fear has also covered the globe and infected people, but with a faster and broader reach of contamination. Attacking the ‘respiratory system’ of the mind, threats of illness and uncertainty of the future are stealing the breath from our hope, joy, relationships and dreams. Like COVID-19, there is no vaccine to stop the spread of this dis-ease.  

I believe there are two purposes for fear in our lives. The first is alertness. When confronted with challenging news or situations, healthy fear rallies our entire being to identify and assess the present threat. Then, fear moves us into action by either distancing ourselves from the threat or by moving to eliminate it. 

However, if these purposes get twisted or polarized, fear can become antagonistic. The results? Healthy-awareness slides either into an obsession or denial, while healthy action derails into over-reaction or slides into paralysis. 

So, what should be our response?

While the medical community races to create a vaccine that will eradicate the coronavirus, each of us own the responsibility to uproot fear and restore a resilient peace within our own lives. Here are a few ways to vaccinate your mind against toxic fear.

First, guard your thoughts. Change the channel from 24-hour news and listen to music or watch some reruns of FRIENDS. Listening to 'fear on repeat' is emotionally draining. Although awareness is great, obsession is unhealthy. Give your mind a vacation!

Second, talk with someone. Worry and anxiety get stronger when kept in the dark corners of our minds. But honest and open conversation brings toxic thoughts into the light, draining its venom and lifting its weight off our souls.  

Third, don’t isolate. While ‘social-distancing’ is the strategy we’ve been given to curb the spread of the coronavirus, do not allow ‘physical distancing’ to become ‘social isolation’. Maintain a healthy distance, but keep your loved ones close via texts, calls, social media and FaceTime. ‘Isolation’ is torture; choose not to participate. We all need each other to get through this tough season.

Fourth, speak words of encouragement. It is easy to feel sluggish and weak when fearful thoughts and feelings are racing through our minds. However, we can fight wrong thoughts with ‘right words.’ Your voice is powerful! Stand tall, smile big and speak words of hope over your family, friends, co-works… and yourself!

Lastly, as a person of faith, I must also mention a fifth response, prayer. It is amazing how a simple moment of prayer and meditation can reset the emotional state of our souls. No, there’s nothing magical about it. But there is an unexplainable peace that flows in the recesses of our hearts when we talk to our caring, listening and willing to respond, Heavenly Father. Novices are welcome; no experience is necessary.

Is there a silver lining?

Despite these dark days, COVID-19 has unwittingly blessed us with a true gift. You see, it was only after the virus breached China’s borders and reached unbiasedly into all other nations, ethnicities, races, genders, ages, faiths, political affiliations and socioeconomic groups that the global community’s attitude shifted from casual concern to serious commitment in destroying our, now mutual, nemesis.

In effect, COVID-19 has delivered to us the very gift that will be the cause for its eradication - unity. Now, many of those who were previously divided over policy, politics and ideology are finding room, even if only for a moment, to see ‘the other’ as a partner in the war on this pandemic. This newly expressed oneness of caring, reaching and serving gives all of us reason to hope, smile and to keep on fighting. So, whether unity proves to be a silver lining or a silver bullet, we will prevail.

Article published in Orlando Sentinel: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-op-fear-in-time-of-coronavirus-20200330-tfsjzpuprbanrlwkni7r5uqhee-story.html