Choosing our Focus in Troubled Times

IN TROUBLED TIMES

CHOOSING OUR FOCUS IN TROUBLED TIMES

Kathy Kathy Odom Odom

CHOOSING OUR FOCUS IN TROUBLED TIMES

BY KATHY ODOM

Copyright © 2020 All Right Reserved

Written by Kathy Odom Copyright © 2020 All Rights Reserved

Introduction As far as most of us knew the year 2020 started out perfectly normal (maybe not perfectly, but according to our choices), when without any warning came a disruption like we never could have imagined. In late 2019 from out of Wuhan, China, came a discovery that set the whole world on a totally different path and drastically altered all life as we knew it.

Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie doesn’t it? I have no doubt this will make it to the big screen one day.

The gravity of this discovery was soon realized and procedures put into place to contain the threat. But it was too late. Unaware of the danger, infected people had already traveled and intermingled abroad and a deadly virus had started its spread. It wasn’t long before countries from all around the world began reporting outbreaks. Governments began taking extreme measures in order to get this under control and save as many lives as possible. The world took on a different challenge as people began working around the clock trying to discover a way to manage the symptoms and stop its progression.

New information is coming to the forefront everyday about this virus. This short book offers thoughts on how we can learn to handle these troubled times together with understanding and compassion. What we choose to focus on can have a powerful impact on our ability to remain grounded and stay positive.

I just want to say I am in no way an expert on pandemics.

All I am is someone who believes in focusing on the positive to create the best results.

I believe that love is the most powerful force in the universe.

I believe in the goodness in all God’s children.

I believe in believing.

I write this with great appreciation for all that God has given to me.

To all my family and friends - I love you.

Contents Chapter One The Past

Focus One

Chapter Two The Present

Focus Two

Chapter Three The Future

Focus Three

Chapter One The Past

Let’s have a brief history lesson. If you’re not into history you can skip this chapter. I personally am not a history enthusiast but still I found this very interesting as it relates to the 2020 dilemma the world is facing.

First of all, most of the world, including myself, have the mindset that this is an event like we have never seen before, almost like an omen of the end of times. It is most likely we will never know why this happened but with this widespread thinking I decided to do a little research. Of course, this information is not coming from my personal knowledge but instead from historical research from different sources via the Internet. As we know, Internet information can be all over the place but I feel fairly confident that history is history and there should not be much reason for elaboration or error. So, here are some interesting facts I found about a few of the more serious viruses recorded in history.

It is believed smallpox began as early as 3,000 years ago and evidence of this disease has been discovered in the study of ancient Egyptian mummies. Years later the twentieth century smallpox was responsible for 300-500 million deaths around the world. This is a virus we were eventually successful in creating a vaccine for and in 1980 the World Health Assembly officially declared the world free of smallpox.

One of the first documented major health crisis, called the Antonine Plague, dated back to around AD 249 to 262 and proved to be a tragedy of huge proportion. The city of Rome alone lost as many as 2,000 - 5,000 people a day at it’s peak depending on the version you read. Either version records an unbelievable account of loss of human lives! A total of 5 million died during this plague and the mighty Roman army was left in shambles. It is believed this plague was responsible for the rapid growth of Christianity in Rome as stories about how Christians cared for others made a great impression while others focused mainly on selfpreservation.

Then in the mid-thirteen hundreds, traders brought a plague to Europe called The Black Death or Bubonic Plague. It ravaged Europe from 1347 to 1351. In these few short years one-third of Europe’s population died. It stole 25 million lives. This plague sprang up in other countries over the next few centuries. Years later an outbreak in London caused the shutdown of theaters which caused actor William Shakespeare to use his down time to write poetry. During another outbreak in 1665, Cambridge University (Trinity College Cambridge) in England closed its campuses and sent students home. Sir Isaac Newton, being one of those students, spent much of his down time sitting near an apple tree and there he unlocked the fundamental law of gravity. We may remember in our school days of hearing this story of the apple falling from the tree. Little did I know that this famous story was born out of a “social distancing” enforcement caused by a major health crisis.

History has it that malaria first began in BC times. In the twentieth century alone it has claimed between 150 million and 300 million lives. Much of the world’s population still lives in areas where malaria is actively transmitted. Historians believe malaria may have contributed to the fall of

Rome. In the United States this virus struck presidents from Washington, Lincoln, J F K and several more but took its greatest toll in Africa where 80% to 90% of the entire world’s cases occurred. The CDC (Center For Disease Control) was founded because of malaria.

In 1918 an influenza pandemic emerged named the Spanish Flu. It infected over one-third of the entire global population and took over 500,000 million lives total and over 200,000 Americans lives before it died out. To demonstrate how important social distancing can be, during this flu pandemic, history has it that the city of Philadelphia decided to go against social guideline warnings and to hold a large parade in support of WWI to sell war bonds. Over 200,000 people were in attendance to watch the parade and within 72 hours every hospital bed in every hospital in the city (31 hospitals) was filled, by the end of the week, this social gathering resulted in over 4,500 deaths in the city alone. In contrast, where other cities observed the social guidelines, the growth rate was significantly less. I understand, none of us like this whole social distancing concept but, based on history, we can see just how important it is in saving lives!

The Cholera Pandemics occurred mainly in the 1800s. There were six significant widespread outbreaks. 1883-1887 took 250,000 lives in Europe and at least 50,000 lives in the Americas. 1892 claimed close to 270,000 Russian lives, 120,000 in Spain, 90,000 in Japan, 60,000 in Persia and over 58,000 lives in Egypt. During this time there was much unrest as mis-information was surfacing and resentment over economic inequality was growing. Some were convinced in a conspiracy theory that cholera was being intentionally spread by the government to reduce the poor population. It sounds like something we might see pop up on our news-feed in these day and times, but it is exactly the kind

of things we need to ignore without solid evidence to back it.

The Dengue virus first appeared in the 1950s in the Philippines and Thailand and spread throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the globe. Up to forty percent of the world’s population now lives in areas where dengue is active. It sickens millions of people a year and according to WHO (World Health Organization) the mortality rate is lower than many viruses if properly treated.

More recently, there were several mid-century flu pandemics lasting from 1957 through 1968. Even with much better advances in medicine and the availability of vaccines, it still claimed over one million lives in the countries it infested.

From these outbreaks we gathered valuable information that left us better prepared for the future.

The virus that causes Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS-CoV, caused an outbreak in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and then another in South Korea in 2015. This one most adults should remember. The MERS virus belongs to the same family of viruses as we face today. It often progresses to severe pneumonia and has an estimated mortality rate between 30% and 40%, making it the most lethal of all the known coronaviruses. As with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, MERS has no approved treatments or vaccines but so far there has been success in keeping it contained to a few countries.

The Ebola viral strain during the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa killed up to 90% of the people it infected. It is, most definitely, the deadliest member of the Ebola family, but fortunately we now have the experience and tools to easily identify it and limit its spread. Only eleven people

were treated for Ebola in the United States during this outbreak.

were treated for Ebola in the United States during this outbreak.

There is another pandemic which we don’t hear much about

anymore, especially in America, is stillhear ongoing.

There is another pandemic whichyet weit don’t muchHIV/ about AIDS originated in the 1970s and lives in most countries. anymore, especially in America, yet it is still ongoing. HIV/ Though the moreinpoverty stricken countries arecountries. the ones AIDS originated the 1970s and lives in most most affected it ispoverty still active in thecountries US. Sinceare 1970 virus Though the more stricken the this ones has the lives 32 million and 1970 has infected mostclaimed affected it is stillofactive in thepeople US. Since this virus overclaimed 75 million. most due to advanced scientifhas theIn lives of countries, 32 million people and has infected ic research, successful treatments have been developed that over 75 million. In most countries, due to advanced scientifhave prolonged the livestreatments of many infected withdeveloped this disease. ic research, successful have been that

have prolonged the lives of many infected with this disease.

Now there’s your history lesson. I chose to write these things not toyour raisehistory fear but to raise awareness and remind Now there’s lesson.

I chose to write these us thatnot theto world through much worse with things raisehas fearmade but toit raise awareness and remind much and we will do itmuch again.

I have faith us thatless the technology, world has made it through worse with that this time we’ll do itand better, with more much less technology, we faster will doand it again.

I haverefaith silience

that thisthan time ever we’llbefore. do it better, faster and with more resilience than ever before.

As the world loses more and more lives to viruses, we will grieve together.

Let’s not lives let them have died As the their worldloss loses more and more to viruses, we in will vain, but doloss everything weLet’s can not to support efforts grieve their together. let themthe have diedinin reaching I noted,the there’s been vain, but a dosuccessful everythingoutcome. As we can to support efforts in some great accomplishments that have come out ofbeen the reaching a successful outcome. As I noted, there’s midst of these devastating events, whichcome leadsout meoftothe wonsome great accomplishments that have der “What gooddevastating will come out of thewhich 2020leads pandemic?” midst of these events, me to wonder “What good will come out of the 2020 pandemic?”

Focus One The Past The bottom line is the disease caused by the new coronavirus, isn’t the first life threatening disease that has surged around the world — nor will it likely be the last. With each one we learn more. The brief history lesson on plagues of the past only touched on the most devastating. As catastrophic as these were, time has found a way to forget so much about them. But as reminded, viruses have wreaked havoc across the world throughout the ages.

To think of the number of lives that can be lost during a pandemic is truly heartbreaking, but if we can find a way to focus on what will help us become stronger and pro-active in the battle, we will be all the better for it. Remember, we are survivors. We will overcome this disastrous event just as we have others in the past. We will heal and bounce back and this pandemic will slowly become another bad memory that too will fade with time.

Across the globe, we have seen much devastation and lived to tell about it. This seems especially true in the past few decades. Recently in America, my homeland alone, we have seen several horrific tragedies on the local and national levels, and I am proud to say that in every instance, we have seen our people come together to help others in need with love and compassion and unselfish sacrifice. Focus on these wonderful acts of kindness we witness during the

worst of times. I’m sure this is the case throughout the world as disasters have struck. For some reason these are the times we forget our petty differences and selfishness and rise to our true calling to love one another. God made amazing people. We all have a survival instinct, but there is so much more to us. Within our hearts and souls lies the ability to love as no other creature on Earth can love. Focus on this love.

We are MUCH MORE knowledgeable now. We have learned from the past. We have MUCH MORE scientific advances in research. We can move faster toward finding a solution. We have learned MUCH MORE about how to come together as a whole in times of crisis. We are a compassionate people and when tragedy strikes, this is where we shine and show our true concern for one another. We need to focus on these facts and not let fear control our thoughts or actions, but let our hearts take the lead in this quest to get through this pandemic. Press forward with courage and love.

Chapter Two The Present

When one life threatens another life, that is considered an act of war. The year 2020 finds us in a World War with a deadly virus! No doubt, it is on a merciless killing spree. Our lives have been crippled and changed. We did not ask for this change (or did we)? I’ll explain later. We do not know at this point whether we are in the beginning, middle or end stages of this situation — only time will tell. No matter where we are, whenever our lives are changed through any outside force, we will kick and scream the whole way to preserve what we know and what we feel comfortable with. This disease may affect many of us in much the same way as being diagnosed with a potentially life threatening illness. We are grieving life as we knew it and there are stages to grieving something of this magnitude. This virus may take us through all these stages before bringing us to the end of this crisis.

Just a few short months ago, after first learning of the news of a spreading virus, our reaction was typical — denial. Did you feel it? I’ll be the first to admit that I started out believing this was mostly media hype — it will all blow over soon. It’s sensationalism. It’s political. It’s not true. I experienced denial in every sense of the word. Even though I do believe many news-givers tend to report things in the most shocking ways they can because sadly, that is what sells. It sells because as people, we are attracted by the excitement of over-inflated emotions. That explains why the craziest and most graphic zombie movies make the top favorites list and

why the most heinous of killer shows hold us on the edge of our seats and keep us coming back for more. Although the news of today may keep us glued to the TV screen, we will still try to deny the truth of it. It may be because we simply don’t trust the news media or because we just don’t want to believe it. This denial stage is a way of using the time to process the information and to muster up the courage to face what lies ahead. Everyone handles bad news differently and may hold on to the denial emotion longer than others.

Unfortunately, the reality of the situation is becoming too big to deny. So what’s next? Perhaps a kind of shock where we wonder how in the world did we not see this coming. This one probably will not linger long due to the rapid spreading of this virus. Then comes the next stage — perhaps the most intense one to endure.

Anger, and it will come to even the meekest of souls. We may become angry in general. We may become angry with doctors, leaders and the government for not protecting us.

We may even become angry at God for either allowing this to happen to us or maybe even blame Him for causing it to happen as some form of punishment. We rationalize that WE certainly didn’t cause this so it has to be somebody else’s fault! Anger needs to be vented, and it is well to understand that underneath most anger is pain and fear. Anger in some ways is productive as it gives us back the power we felt we lost when given the initial, devastating blow, at least for a while. As the anger begins to fade we might frantically try to find ways to create a different outcome. Some of us haven’t reached this stage yet while others, especially those in charge, are actively immersed in this mode looking at any and all possible solutions to end this crisis as soon as possible.

Next, for many comes depression. This is where a deep sense of loss sets in. The more time passes, the more we may start to feel hopeless. Especially if this virus hits close to home with loved ones, acquaintances or people we feel connected to in some way. We may be depressed that we can’t do anything about it or do more to help. We may be depressed that others in charge are not able to do something quicker. No one wants to be sad, but in the midst of a pandemic where multitudes of people are falling ill or dying, it is inevitable. We empathize with those dealing with losing loved ones and we feel their pain. Despite the heaviness of this stage, it is necessary to get us ready for the final stage — one of acceptance.

No matter when we reach this stage, this is the one that shows our true nature. This is where we accept the reality of it all. Make no mistake, this is not about giving up and losing hope, it is about accepting the reality. Here is where we humble ourselves and admit we are not in control of the world or even our own fate. Here is where true courage comes into play and where we resolve to do our part to make things the best they can be, for ourselves and others.

Here is where we become smarter and more diligent in following the guidelines and challenges set before us to win this fight. Here is where we stop being self-absorbed and start showing compassion for others. And ultimately, here is where many of us will turn more intensely to our Creator and from the very depths of our soul ask Him to protect and watch over us, our loved ones and all His children and give us the strength to endure this trial well.

This is a good moment to recite some very wise words once said, the Serenity Prayer. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

It has been said that a life without purpose is not a life. So many of us go through our busy lives never ďŹ nding that purpose. Whether we had purpose in our lives before or not, this pandemic has created one for us, one to get through this crisis together. If we choose to embrace it well, we can put meaning into our lives like we never had before. If we let it, we can learn so much from this experience.  

Focus Two The Present Headlines across the globe are created to catch attention and stir up emotions, especially negative ones. Let’s not give into the sensationalism. We know facts are the best way to solve any problem and we have to use wisdom in the information we take to heart. Focus on those who practice integrity and truth when relaying information that pertains to important issues. In likeness to the glass that is half empty or half full, we can look on the numbers of those infected and those who have died and panic, or we can look on the numbers of those who have recovered and feel hope. Focus on the progress and trust the science. We are smart and wise and will find a way to overcome this.

The guidelines to social distance ourselves have been met with some harsh resistance in some places, but let’s focus on what we’ve learned — it saves lives and that’s the whole purpose. Instead of thinking of it as the government trying to control us, think of it as a necessary measure to save as many people as we can, slow the spread of this virus and keep our healthcare workers from becoming too overwhelmed at one time. Social distancing has proven to have a tremendous effect on slowing the growth of contagious diseases and can bide us more time to work on a cure. Our focus should be on what is best for the greater good and right now the best thing we have going for us is to comply with the “social distancing” mandate. If we find ourselves getting “cabin fever” and feel the urge to ignore these

guidelines and hang out with our peers, it may help to focus on the more susceptible loved ones in our lives. We would never want to endanger them, so for now until we know more, we need to stay put. It makes sense.

guidelines and hang out with our peers, it may help to focus on thethese more susceptible loved ones in forget our lives. would When start to lift wenot should all the try We to proceed During timesrestrictions of medical crisis let’s brave and never want to endanger them, so for nowthe until we know with caution as we may not yet fully realize repercussions selfless healthcare workers of the world. Pray for them to be more, weunknown need to stay put. It makes sense.

from this shielded from this disease. virus as they risk their very lives to protect ours. And to so many more who are working to keep us all During times and of medical crisis let’s forget the brave safe, healthy comfortable, I willnot take this time to sayand selfless workers of the world. Pray for them to be THANK healthcare YOU.

shielded from this virus as they risk their very lives to protect ours.

And to sohas many more who are working to keep us all Our President given us some wise counsel, take this safe, to healthy comfortable, I will take this time enjoy and our families and our homes.

Usetime thisto is say an opTHANK YOU.

portunity to strengthen our families, reflect on our own lives, and improve on who we are and who we want to be. If we Our given counsel, takeas this keepPresident our focushas right, we us cansome evenwise use this situation a time to enjoy our families and our homes.

Use this is an opsort of reset point to look at where we are and maybe take portunity to strengthen our families, reflect on our own lives, some steps to change the direction we were heading.

and improve on who we are and who we want to be. If we keep our focus has right, we canenormous even use suffering this situation a for This pandemic created and as pain sort of reset to look where weif are maybetotake so many andpoint can leave usatparalyzed we and surrender it. some steps to change the direction we were heading.

Fear can be a thousand times more viral than this coronavirus, so we have to stay strong and positive and focus on This pandemic has enormous suffering pain for the facts at hand tocreated make this better. Don’t turn and a pandemic so and can leaveBelieve us paralyzed weare surrender towe it. intomany a “PANICdemic”. in who ifwe and what Fear can be of a thousand times viral thanto this are capable doing when we more set our minds it. coron

avirus, so we have to stay strong and positive and focus on the facts make this Don’t pandemic When thisatishand over,to and it will bebetter. over, we willturn lookaback on it into a “PANICdemic”.

Believe in who we are and what we and evaluate how we handled it. Hopefully we can say we are of doing when we setwisdom. our minds to it.

did capable it with faith, compassion and When this is over, and it will be over, we will look back on it and evaluate how we handled it. Hopefully we can say we did it with faith, compassion and wisdom.

Chapter Three The Future What does the future hold? WE DON’T KNOW YET. No one can be sure how this will all pan out but if history repeats itself, we will pass through it and become stronger because of it. The big question is how. And that is a choice we have to make. Will we support the sentimentality of the Romans from the Antonine Pandemic and discard the lives of others in order to preserve our own, or do we take the higher road as the Christians did and serve with love and compassion and trust God to take care of us and our needs? Will we let our bias and selfish ideologies dictate how we cooperate with one another, or will we rise to the occasion and embrace the reality that we are all in this together? Whether we are democrats, republicans, Christians, Jews, Muslims, or Atheists, we are all one people.

When pandemics strike and people are restricted from socializing, the economy will suffer. This type of setback will most likely have a powerful effect on our future. Many of us have already lost jobs and our ability to provide for our family’s livelihood. Leaders are forced to weigh life changing decisions based on both the health and financial wellbeing of their people. What a heavy burden to carry and, regrettably, it is a “no win” situation. There will always be people negatively effected by any decision and will choose to blame and criticize those making these tough calls. I’m thankful I don’t have to wear those shoes and I hope will never become one of those casting judgment on those that do. The financial future of our nations and the world lies in question right now. Let us be confident that history has shown time and

time again that even though things can get unbelievably bad, we can and do recover. Why should this time prove any different?

Do you remember where I mentioned earlier that we did not ask for this change, or did we? I want to explain what I meant by that. MY perspective is long before this pandemic came into being the world seemed to be spinning out of control. We could get on the Internet or watch the news anytime day or night and all we saw was mayhem. The fighting, hatred, anger, and blaming was everywhere. It was draining. And now it seems that crazy fast spin has changed into a sort of slow motion mode, with almost everyone now focusing on the virus. It’s still a crazy spin but in a much different way. Our very survival has come to the forefront.

Most, not all, of the hate and anger has taken a backseat to our need to work together to find a solution quickly.

As a Christian in America my heart aches by what has been unfolding in our nation for quite some time now. As I witnessed the hatred that was growing among ourselves I was bewildered and I felt helpless. I saw how far apart we had become in our views of right and wrong and wondered how we ever got to this point. I couldn’t understand how a nation as great and privileged as ours could be deteriorating so rapidly right before my eyes. Our refusal to understand one another’s views and accept our differences was devastating.

Why couldn’t we work together? Why did one side have to be so right and the other side so wrong? To me, our differences are what makes this world so unique and interesting.

Why do we have to believe and act the same to get along?

This was not just an American problem, this was happening worldwide with countries fighting countries and fighting among themselves. This was a pandemic of its own.

So what do Christians do in times of trouble? They turn to God for answers. I would guess added to mine were thousands upon thousands of prayers asking God to soften our hearts, help our understanding to grow and for love to become our driving force, not hate. We asked God to intervene and help us find solutions to live in harmony with one another. Our world was in trouble and we needed help. Surely God heard these prayers.

And now we have this crisis to deal with. I’m not suggesting that this virus is God’s way of punishing us or turning our hearts back to Him. Maybe it could be a way of putting us in “time out” so we take time to think about our behavior and how we need to change it. We don’t know. Anything is possible. All we know for sure is it is here now and what if maybe, just maybe, we can use this global tragedy to rethink and rebuild the road we’ve been heading down. We can resolve to work together in the future, to accept our differences and remember we are all created equally in God’s eyes. He loves us all. Maybe it is time we push that reset button.

Let’s discuss Social Media for just a minute. In my opinion, there is no better place to push a reset button than here. I am a firm believer that if we can change the dynamics of the Internet we can change the world. It is such a powerful tool, but so many in the world have chosen to use it as a place to spread mis-information and hatred. We have used it to promote our own ideology and to shame others that do not believe the same way we do. What a tragic waste of valuable technology that could be so effective in spreading love and unity and creating a kinder and happier world to live in.

We all want this pandemic to go away as quickly as possible, but while it is here, we can use this time as an opportunity to expand our compassion and to make a positive difference. We have more time right now as many of us are confined at home with our computers staring right at us. We have no excuse so let’s try something!

HERE’S A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US: Make an effort to post, write and share whatever we can on the Internet to spread love and hope and encouragement. Don't let the hate have a voice. Let’s see if it changes our hearts and the hearts of others. Let’s see if we can make a difference in our world. WOW, what if we can!

I had mentioned earlier that fear can be more contagious than this virus. I want to also add that love and laughter can be just as contagious. Which one would we rather see go viral? As you may can tell, I am extremely passionate about this. I have faith that if we voice positive and kind emotions the universe will listen and respond.

Focus Three The Future

As time passes, hopefully our bodies will begin to develop more resistance to this virus and medical science will discover strategies to lessen the effects. Meanwhile there are areas to focus on as we work our way through this virus together and hope for a brighter future.

We can all do our part to help slow the spread. It’s simple, obey the guidelines. Remember, we do not do this out of control, fear or self-preservation, we do this to save lives.

Focus on the fact that this is an act of love we do to protect the ones this virus preys upon. It does not care what political party we are affiliated with or where we live, but it does care whether we are young or old or sick or healthy. It will take these with no mercy. Focus our compassion on those most vulnerable and do what we can to help them.

We need honest and courageous leaders in troubled times more than ever. If we are a leader, be a great one. We can have a tremendous impact, reduce fear, and be a much needed symbol of strength during these frightening times if we choose to. If we are not in leadership, focus on how we can support those who are.

This isn’t the time to spread just anyone’s opinion. Focus on only the truth and not cloud the air with mis-information that could do harm. Be responsible and take time to verify accuracy and reliability before sharing anything on social media.

We need to focus on being part of the solution not part of the problem and be instrumental in maintaining a calmer environment.

Be thankful for our healthcare workers. In a pandemic like this, they are doing what our first responders did during

the problem and be instrumental in maintaining a calmer environment.

Be thankful for our healthcare workers. In a pandemic like this, they are doing what our first responders did during 9/11. They are risking their lives to protect ours. They are true heroes in every sense of the word. Everyday they set foot into a hospital they are walking into an uncertain and dangerous environment and they do it because they care. In addition to our healthcare workers, let us not forget the many others, from the fast food and grocery store workers to the truck drivers, working day after day to ensure we can get what we need to survive. Focus on praying for them and supporting them in any way possible. A nice plate of safely prepared homemade cookies wouldn’t hurt either.

This virus is not only attacking us physically but it’s attacking us financially as well. Small businesses are the heart and soul of our country, as well as around the world, and they may not be able to survive long without our help. If a business has a drive-thru, we can use it to show support. We can purchase gift cards online to use later when things start returning to normal. We can help keep our small businesses alive. Certainly, we need to obey the guidelines set in place, but when possible, focus on spending our money with compassion for those who need it most.

There are parents of low income families that depended on the schools to provide their children up to two meals a day.

With many schools being closed and jobs being lost, their ability to feed their children has been greatly compromised.

They may be going hungry as we speak. Help if we can. If the parents still have to go into their workplace and their children are at home, they may need help with babysitting also. Focus on what we feel we can safely do to lighten their burdens.

This could be an incredible moment in time to strengthen our family relationships. Unfortunately, a pandemic can be one way of reminding us that we live in a perilous world. Our spirituality can hold us together in love and it can dispel our

burdens.

burdens.

This could an incredible momentmoment in time to Thisbecould be an incredible in strengthen time to strengthen our family Unfortunately, a pandemic can be can be ourrelationships. family relationships.

Unfortunately, a pandemic one wayone of reminding us that we live in perilous world. Our way of reminding us that wea live in a perilous world. Our spirituality can holdcan us hold together in love and it can dispel spirituality us together in love and it canour dispel our fears. Reading the “Footprints in the Sand” fears. Reading the “Footprints in thepoem Sand”may poem may strengthen us and remind we are inalone this. We strengthen us and us remind usnot we alone are not in this. We need to need reassure one another that our that homes stand to reassure one another our will homes will stand strong during troubled times and we and will not Fo- fail. Fostrongthese during these troubled times we fail. will not cus on giving children and loved ones that sense se- of secus onour giving our children and loved ones thatofsense curity and peace mind.of mind.

curity andofpeace Our souls need hope just as much our bodies Our souls need hope just asasmuch as our need bodies need health. The pastThe haspast proven we that can endure the hardhealth. has that proven we can in endure in the hardest of circumstances as long as long as long we have hope. is est of circumstances as we haveIt hope.

It is when wewhen lose we hope wehope fall into Look to Look a brighter lose we despair. fall into despair. to a brighter future and focus wayson weways can rejuvenate hope, not onlynot only future andonfocus we can rejuvenate hope, in our lives butlives in the of others.

in our butlives in the lives of others.

So manySo ofmany us feel such busy lives thatlives we that don’twe don’t ofwe us lead feel we lead such busy have time for time the things are that important.

My guess we is we have for thethat things are important.

Myisguess have all have said at points our lives thatlives we that wishwe wish all one saidoratmore one or moreinpoints in our we had we more time to connect with those love.we Now that had more time to connect withwe those love.

Now that slowing slowing down has become almost mandatory, what anwhat op- an opdown has become almost mandatory, portunityportunity we have.we Will we take advantage of it? Getting tohave.

Will we take advantage of it? Getting together physically isn’t wise right now, butnow, we can up pick up gether physically isn’t wise right but pick we can our phone checktoon a loved one, textone, our text church ourtophone check on a loved our family church family with words encouragement, email a friend let them withofwords of encouragement, email aand friend and let them know weknow are thinking of them.ofFocus this opportunity to we are thinking them.on Focus on this opportunity to spread hope and love.

spread hope and love.

If there ever was an opportunity to make some changes to create a better future, now is one. Choosing our focus makes a difference!

The Heavens are looking down on us now.

They know what we are going through.

They hear our concerns, our fears, our prayers.

What do they want us to do?

What do they want us to learn?

Are they praying for us, watching with great anticipation, hoping we do the right thing?

As one world and one family under God, let’s show them what we can do.

our darkest weshine can our Out ofOut ourofdarkest hour,hour, we can shinebrightest. our brightest.

My love and prayers 
 go out to all the world.

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Written by Kathy Odom