Reading a pretty amazing column from the New York Times columnist David Brooks this morning gave me some food for thought. Entitled "The Moral Meaning of the Plague," it's well worth reading. He quotes Viktor Frankl: "[Meaning in a crisis] comes from three things: the work we offer in times of crisis, the love we give and our ability to display courage in the face of suffering."
I keep reminding myself of how lucky we are: we have enough. As I work with colleagues to provide support for families whose loved ones live with mental illness, I do feel as though someone, somewhere, will benefit. As I worry about our children and their children, I remember to tell them often how much we love them and how much we admire their courage and commitment to their young families. I think that is at least a start on the first two things.
I'm not sure what qualifies as courage for this old lady who is in excellent health, blessed with strength and intellect and enough money to survive. I can't really think what I must do that might require courage. Actually, I (selfishly) hope to never find out.
Another point Brooks makes in his column as he talks about a new introspection coming into the world is that people are asking some fundamental questions: "Are you ready to die? If your lungs filled with fluid a week from Tuesday would you be content with the life you've lived? What would you do if a loved one died? Do you know where your most trusted spiritual and relational resources lie? What role do you play in this crisis? What is the specific way you are situated to serve?"
I believe that I will spend a few hours thinking about this. Time to quit pouting and make a plan.
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