We had two prompts --- these were mine...
ONE: Moral issues around The/A Plague… by Albert Brooks…. Around this date in the NY Times - at: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/opinion/coronavirus-meaning.html
I get his stuff about our choice of responses. I get the need for meaning and reform and the changes we are being asked to forcefully face. I get the need for connecting with others and for listening. I get his questions about death and dying and our roles. I get his red/blue division in our country AND the unfairness of resources for the rich vs the poor.
There is a lot to be considered and relative to the division and wealth I go back in his essay to Miriam’s song and his use of the word plague and the holiday of Passover coming up.
When Miriam and all the others at the Red Sea sang their song as the Egyptians were drowning a commentary said they did so probably “because they needed to give voice to the huge relief of finally being redeemed.” On another hand commentary says ”On seeing the drowning Egyptians the angels were about to break into song when God silenced them declaring, “How dare you sing for joy when My creatures are dying” (Talmud, Megillah 10b and Sanhedrin 39b).
Clearly there is always a lot of death in this world. These deaths today from this virus are unexpected and for so many premature. And it is terrible, terrible, terrible… first and foremost and all that is unfair is similarly first and foremost. YES - two shared imperatives. Both sad and bad.
Brooks spins a story of expectant hopes. And I have such optimism, too. At this time I don’t yet personally feel anxious for myself partly because others have been anxious for themselves and for me. It has helped me behave correctly. I fear for others more than for myself… I fear for my daughters, my partner, my friends, their friends… etc, etc.. Bottom line is I have to stay healthy for all the others I care about and for others generally.
I wonder about my parents and sister and yet hesitate to call or zoom …. Just as they are hesitating, I guess. My mental health in regards to my parents is ever in jeopardy. Sad and impossible… Just saying.
I almost always am motivated to think by Brooks. And I like to remember Robert Frost said: “I’n three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: -- It goes on.”
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TWO: link at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEgl_TUYOZo
The video was powerful and dark and real and it meant, I think, to be hopeful. It didn’t make me anxious. It made me feel sadness. I have watched it several times and tears come closer and closer each time to flowing and I am a person who doesn't cry!
The world and all its inhabitants need help and this is one terrible way to be “helped”. Why do plagues and wars and such wake all of us up?
Am I awake? I think I have awakened in several ways and The Virus has been a catalyst. While “trapped” inside a house with my partner I realize it is not a trap. I have discovered my more real feelings and that is wonderful. Love is definitely here.
I appreciate lots of things including - health, family, friends, acquaintances, strangers, food, books, audio-visual media, ZOOM and other video conferencing tools, clean air and suddenly less pollution, alcohol and such, travel, the gym, peace, quiet…. And more…. It is nice to write that list and to consider there are many positives and we have the time to find all those positives.
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