The Pandemic of 2020
“It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.” Dalai
Qualicum Beach, where I live is a small seaside community on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada with a population of not more than ten thousand. We are a close-knit community with a diverse population. Nearly everyone tends to look out for their neighbors.
Even though we live in a small town, the bigger cities such as Vancouver and Victoria are only a couple of hours away. Our island is about 460 kilometers long and about 100 kilometers in width. It is the largest island on the west coast of the Americas. The islands total population as of 2016 is 775,347.
I feel extremely fortunate to reside in one of the most beautiful places in the world. We have the ocean at our front doors. I can hear the sea lions barking at night and it is a soothing sound.
We have the snow-capped mountains at our back doors and many untouched forests with a myriad of wildlife and scenic hiking trails throughout our area.
We live in an area where the ocean is crystal clear, there is an abundance of sea life and wild animals. It is not uncommon to see bears, cougars and deer cross our paths while hiking. Fishing is a way of life for many here. Salmon, cod, snapper, prawns, and clams are abundant. We are incredibly fortunate to be living in a place as beautiful as this.
We have many farmers and local organic fresh vegetables are always available along with organically raised beef, chicken, and pork. You could say we are a sustainable community.
When you live in beauty such as where I live, you will find more to be grateful for every single day.
Every day here is a good reason to get up and forge ahead with our lives.
I am immensely proud of my amazing community.
After being cooped up for weeks because of the pandemic, I felt compelled to go to the beach. I was really needing the therapy that only the sun and the ocean waves lapping on the shore can give you. The warmth of the sun on my face, the gentle sounds of the ripples on the ocean and the simple beauty of the beach reminded me that yes, we will survive this adversity. We will grow, we will learn, and we will be stronger than ever before.
This virus has reminded us that we never know what tomorrow will bring so we must make the most of the present. Embrace each day as it comes and find strength to overcome your daily struggles.
Do not give up. Life will get better.
Do not give up on our global community as well.
We as humans have been creating separateness by judging others when perhaps we simply are afraid to embrace others and live with love and compassion for our fellow humans.
Really though now through all this adversity can we not find peace and contentment with one another? Ours is not to judge but to find ways to live together in the global community. We have nothing to gain by not working together. We have much to lose though when we do not work together. Nobody wins when we create fear and judge others. The truth is that we as a global community need to learn acceptance and to work together with everyone, no matter what race, color, or religion. We all need to have compassion for our fellow human.
We will find our way through this crisis and I believe that the world will be a better place.
So, go to the beach.
Feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Listen to the lap of the waves on the shore.
Remember to appreciate all that you have. Remember to be grateful for all that you have. Remember to look for the positives in every day. Overcome all those objections to the contrary.
Its all a matter of mindset. Having a more positive attitude and being grateful for all that we have is what will help make this world a better place.
Remember to live your life to the fullest.
Remember what a special privilege it is to be alive.
