Just for today
Covid- 19 I s a poignant reminder of what all of have always known at some level. There is a long history of some of us humans acting as if we live forever. There was a time when only Kings had the power to prolong the illusion of their journey through the building of pyramids. Yet, obviously, death was as permanent for them as it is for all of us. In the United States, embalming fluids, finely crafted caskets, elaborate tombstones, and enormously talented makeup artists have conspired to make death as “real” and as attractive as possible. Yet, as any grieving parent, spouse, or dear friend will attest, when one gets home, shuts the door and faces their grief, none of those illusions comfort one.
The 12 step programs originally for recovering alcoholics and then for those recovering from many other addictions reminds all “just for today”. Initially the reminder is to set a goal which feels doable for the person who has been held captive by their addiction for a long time and cannot imagine never feeding their addiction again. Yet, they can hold it at bay “just for today” or sometimes “just for the next five minutes”. The recovering person, if lucky, and if they follow advice to be present in the moment can accept that one only ever has this moment.
We all have had reminders that life if very brief and we need to “stop and smell the roses”; to not put off until tomorrow what we can accomplish today; “to member to not sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff.” Yet, life shows up and we forget these important lessons until the visit of the next reminder. Seldom do we in the United States and other countries have reminders such as Covid-10 which shows up for a prolong period of time. Yet, many have been fleeing violence and poverty ( another form of violence) for a very long time. Many have and are waiting in refugee camps and in the midst of dis ease and danger for a very time. Many have and continue to be unable to protect and keep children and other family members safe or even alive.
Of course I am hopeful that the number of deaths will be limited; that an effective treatment will be found and eventually a vaccine will be developed. I also hope that many of us use this time to recommit to being present with each other and with mother nature. We would do well to remember that we only ever had this moment to live in a way which honored the sacredness of all of life; that we only have this moment to embrace (metaphorically for now) each other and to quit acting as if we are in control. Just for today we only have control over how well we love and take care of each other. Just for today, we can resolve to be intentional about living in a way which is non-judgmental; to let go of long held resentments; to not act as if possessions, power, position or other people, places and things are going to warm our hearts or leave a meaningful footprint.
I am not suggesting that we quit our jobs, quit cleaning our homes, quit homeschooling our children, or quit making sure we have a way to feed ourselves and our family tomorrow. I am suggesting that we put relationships first; relationship with self; relationship with others; relationship with mother nature; relationship with the God of our understanding - whatever allows us to see the whole of what is. I am suggesting that we live just for today while being prepared to live just for today tomorrow.
As Seth Godin reminded his readers in his blog today, “Everything is going to be the way it is going to be.” In the midst of that circle we have the power to put love first. We have to power to make social distancing a priority when possible; to wear protective gear when helpful and when it is available; and to share resources. Just for today.
Written March 26, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Covid- 19 I s a poignant reminder of what all of have always known at some level. There is a long history of some of us humans acting as if we live forever. There was a time when only Kings had the power to prolong the illusion of their journey through the building of pyramids. Yet, obviously, death was as permanent for them as it is for all of us. In the United States, embalming fluids, finely crafted caskets, elaborate tombstones, and enormously talented makeup artists have conspired to make death as “real” and as attractive as possible. Yet, as any grieving parent, spouse, or dear friend will attest, when one gets home, shuts the door and faces their grief, none of those illusions comfort one.
The 12 step programs originally for recovering alcoholics and then for those recovering from many other addictions reminds all “just for today”. Initially the reminder is to set a goal which feels doable for the person who has been held captive by their addiction for a long time and cannot imagine never feeding their addiction again. Yet, they can hold it at bay “just for today” or sometimes “just for the next five minutes”. The recovering person, if lucky, and if they follow advice to be present in the moment can accept that one only ever has this moment.
We all have had reminders that life if very brief and we need to “stop and smell the roses”; to not put off until tomorrow what we can accomplish today; “to member to not sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff.” Yet, life shows up and we forget these important lessons until the visit of the next reminder. Seldom do we in the United States and other countries have reminders such as Covid-10 which shows up for a prolong period of time. Yet, many have been fleeing violence and poverty ( another form of violence) for a very long time. Many have and are waiting in refugee camps and in the midst of dis ease and danger for a very time. Many have and continue to be unable to protect and keep children and other family members safe or even alive.
Of course I am hopeful that the number of deaths will be limited; that an effective treatment will be found and eventually a vaccine will be developed. I also hope that many of us use this time to recommit to being present with each other and with mother nature. We would do well to remember that we only ever had this moment to live in a way which honored the sacredness of all of life; that we only have this moment to embrace (metaphorically for now) each other and to quit acting as if we are in control. Just for today we only have control over how well we love and take care of each other. Just for today, we can resolve to be intentional about living in a way which is non-judgmental; to let go of long held resentments; to not act as if possessions, power, position or other people, places and things are going to warm our hearts or leave a meaningful footprint.
I am not suggesting that we quit our jobs, quit cleaning our homes, quit homeschooling our children, or quit making sure we have a way to feed ourselves and our family tomorrow. I am suggesting that we put relationships first; relationship with self; relationship with others; relationship with mother nature; relationship with the God of our understanding - whatever allows us to see the whole of what is. I am suggesting that we live just for today while being prepared to live just for today tomorrow.
As Seth Godin reminded his readers in his blog today, “Everything is going to be the way it is going to be.” In the midst of that circle we have the power to put love first. We have to power to make social distancing a priority when possible; to wear protective gear when helpful and when it is available; and to share resources. Just for today.
Written March 26, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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