inspired by C.S. Lewis
I have never seen anything like this is my lifetime, but I am not naive enough to ignore that people in history have lived in fear hidden in their homes from one thing or another. While my gut reaction is to sit speechless over the global pandemic that has spread throughout our world, these words from C.S. Lewis have resonated with me. Perhaps not every word in every line is directly applicable to the situation we are in, but on some level you can replace the words “atomic bomb” with “coronavirus” and “atomic age” with the words “global pandemic” and the sentiment holds true.
“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. ‘How are we to live in an atomic age?’ I am tempted to reply: ‘Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.’
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This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”
What is encouraging to me is that Lewis’ words were written in 1948 and that the world was able to move on from this crisis. Yes, life before and after the crisis may have looked a little bit different, but I truly hope that we all are changed after this. I hope we are more grateful for social interactions. I hope we are more sensitive to the human touch. I hope we appreciate those whose jobs took them to the front lines. I hope we view “boredom” as a spark for creativity. I hope we become more selfless with our resources. I hope we see learning opportunities in everything around us. I hope we value our health and everyone who works to keep us healthy. I hope we cherish people with a love and respect that recognizes that we are all going through this situation together.
THAT is how we go on living in a global pandemic. A global pandemic has the opportunity to turn us towards fear and anger, but let us instead respond to those around us who are going through this with us with love and respect.
Sincerely,
Hannah