These are scary times we are living in. Business are closed, schools are closed, events are canceled, sports are canceled, those of us who are lucky enough to still be working are working from home. We don't know how long this is going to last.
So let me tell you what brings me hope and inspires me.
I love all the doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who are on the front lines, working hard every day to help others. I love all the people who are still driving for Uber and Lyft and all the delivery services. The people who are brave enough to put themselves in harm's way so that they can deliver food and other necessary items to others. I love all the people working at grocery stores and pharmacies and gas stations, working hard to help everyone.
I love all the artists who have offered free art for everyone in this time of quarantine. All the free streaming performances, all the free museum tours, all the films released early, all the free books from authors.
I love the people making music together outside on their balconies. I love the women doing zumba classes on their front lawns together but still socially distant.
I love all the churches that are streaming their services, still helping people keep the faith and stay inspired. All the video chats that are happening. The virtual birthday party we had for my dad.
I love my boyfriend giving me toilet paper and continuing to show me Twin Peaks and reminding me that we're in this together. I love playing games on Marco Polo (a video messaging app) with my friends. I love chatting with my close friend in Washington. (We already have the socially distant friendship down.) I love that my family has a Crawford chat group. I love the group texts with my friends from high school. I love my kitties snuggling with me at night. I love that my co-workers and I all communicate so well. I love that a lot of our clients are doubling down on their marketing efforts while they don't have a lot going on.
I love how this has made us all come together and help each other. Even if that's not what you see when you turn on the news.
I have been as guilty as anyone at being on social media and watching the news obsessively and I don't think it's good for anyone's mental health. I think sometimes it's good to turn off the TV, turn off the computer, turn off your phone. Get still and learn how to just be.
You can use this time to write, to create, to make music, to improve your health, to learn how to cook, to spend time with your family or roommates or whoever you're quarantined with, to cuddle with your pets. Or you can use the time to rest, binge Netflix, meditate, just be. Don't feel like you have to be productive if you just can't. Maybe this is a time for you to reflect and rest. The point is you can use this time for whatever you need to do.
I know many of you have lost your job. Many of you are scared of contracting the virus, especially if you're in a more vulnerable group of people. Many of you are dealing with mental health issues that make this more difficult.
Please know that it's okay to ask for help, to ask for reassurance. It's okay to lean on each other even if we have to do so through a phone or computer screen.
And I just wanted to tell you all that I'm here for you, whatever you need. If anyone wants to talk or video chat or message me, please feel free to. Even if we haven't talked in a long time. If I can help you in any way, I will.
Even in these uncertain and scary times, there is a lot to be grateful for. And we will get through this. But only because we all came together.
(This was originally posted on my Facebook profile.)