Look for the Advantages

Grateful Heart

“Suddenly, and older man began to laugh, and without a word, our eyes bounced back and forth to each other, and one by one, we joined in what became a cascade of coughing laughter interspersed with short moans; for with each laugh, our incisions and bedsores poked us sharply. But we laughed and hurt and laughed and hurt, like a flock of broken birds dreaming of their next flight.”

Mark Nepo (The Book of Awakening, p.114)

          Mark Nepo had cancer that required the usual rounds of chemo and radiation and multiple surgeries. He was not supposed to survive, but he did, and living through that hell changed him forever. His thoughts and words deepened and reflected the incredulous gratitude he felt, and they became his gift to a hurting world. The Book of Awakening is a treatise on joyful survival that would be a great guide for all of us right now.

          In the middle of this pandemic, now with more than two-million people affected, and 138,000 dead, it’s easy to overlook the fact that approximately 520,000 people have so far recovered. In the US, of the 135,000 cases so far, 31,000 have died, which means that 104,000 have survived—so far. And we know that many other people could be added to the survivors list if we were to test for it. While we mourn the dead, let us also celebrate those who have lived.

          There is no doubt that this disease and the toll it has taken on our world, and the toll it will take before it’s done, is devastating. So much has been lost and will be lost, and life may not resume its normal shape for a very long time. But eventually it will and while we impatiently wait for the day when we can move about without masks and gloves and vats of hand sanitizer, we should learn what we can learn, feel gratitude for what is, and look for the advantages in this time of hardship. For instance, in Birmingham, and even in China, our air is cleaner. In some parts of the world entire mountain ranges have emerged out of the fog of pollution that has shrouded them for decades. Bears have returned to our state and national parks and have even been photographed on the beach at Kitty Hawk. The canals in Venice are clean enough for dolphins and fish to once again swim in them.

Best of all, human connections are closer and stronger as we realize how much we need each other. So many people offer their gifts to lift the spirits of others, from singing and playing music on balconies in Italy, to standing in the socially-distanced streets to applaud our exhausted medical workers. We make signs of gratitude, and cloth masks, and teach classes on the internet for anybody who wants to take them. We support each other in whatever way we can manage. Sad that it takes a disaster of monstrous proportions to bring us together but, thank God, we are coming together.

          We must search for the light at the end of this dark tunnel. Too many have died, and too many more will die, for us to blunder back into darkness. Their sacrifice must be honored with peace and charity among those who are spared. Let us enter this day with thanksgiving and remember forever the depth of our gratitude today.

                                                                           In the Spirit,

                                                                  Jane