The mucus rattled in her lungs.
How appropriate—I was on my mat, practicing, practicing, practicing when I remembered.
Gail—That was only a thought.
Watch your thoughts without reaction.
You see, even though I do not subject myself to non-stop coverage of the Coronavirus pandemic?, my initial instinct was to pick up my mat and move as far away as possible.
There is no hiding these days.
I didn’t move.
The open space I could have filled was next to a yogi who experienced a sneezing fit several minutes later.
Logical thinking—more thoughts—reminded me that there has only been one confirmed case in Wisconsin. We hear lots of numbers—the ones that are full of drama—fear inducing facts.
Would you like to know how many people are surviving the virus?
Later in the day I talked to my niece—Katie.
I did not falter. ;)
She works with international students at a Florida university. A number of the kids she counsels are from Wuhan, China. Katie’s fragments exposed me to a perspective I’d never have considered if I hadn’t talked to her yesterday.
Her Asian students are worried for their friends and families.
They are afraid of retribution because they are in America and speak with accents.
As spring break approaches, some are choosing not to leave the university, cancelling plans.
Panic is a choice?
Can you watch your thoughts without reaction?
A complex read indeed! From yoga to Wuhan to Florida all in one sitting.
No denigration intended whatsoever.
I would note that facts themselves are devoid of fear or drama. That’s the pastiche we have been shaped to expect in our watching, listening, and reading about just about everything.
Personally wish for more facts but presented with academic, or scientific, demeanor. Instead of “Did you hear what that guy at CDC said today?! A true Trump acolyte!!” we might hear instead, “The head of Infectious Diseases at CDC said today that worldwide data shows an increase in the rate of new infections over the past week.”
So boring... change the newsfeed to “Rough and Ready Reporting.”
Impartial, objective information is much less likely to provoke fear and anxiety, thus increasing the likelihood of it reaching our brains in usable form.
“Good night David. Good night Chet.”
Chet Huntley and David Brinkley from a few 24 hours ago... would that I might live long enough for a meaningful return to factual reporting without the dog and pony show.
My apologies to your more sane readers.