If you are into people-watching, the past few months have been an interesting study of human nature and tested the patience of even the pious. A large number of Americans are slowly waking up to the realization that taking personal responsibility is the best way to avoid the spread of this virus. I say slowly because if you listen to the news and how it is being reported many of the questions to our Government are geared toward them taking care of us or stepping up to fix something, anything, and pull us out of this mess. With respect to the economy, this is understandable. However, with flattening the curve you have to listen closely. Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx have continually talked about what WE can do to help. That message is a reinforcement of personal responsibility. While they get hammered with questions on their graphs and models, what isn’t being said enough is these graphics don’t mean much if none of us actually put things into practice.
The future picture isn’t perfect. From late January through a good portion of February, most factories in China and Vietnam shut down for the Chinese New Year. Shortly afterwards, the Communist Party of China lockdown the country. Even if factories were back at full capacity as of a few weeks ago, the average shipment is 45 days on the water. That means we will soon start to see many things run out in our supply chain. It is very conceivable that things will get worse, everything from light bulbs to generic drugs. The complexity of what has to be dealt with is massive and no one seems to grasp this fact, at least at the daily briefings.
From what I am seeing locally in my community there is a large number of people fueled by fear panic buying because they don’t know what to do. As I stood in line to get into my local grocery store to pick up one small item, a gentleman six feet behind me was on a FaceTime call with his wife. He told her was in line and asked what they needed. She said they didn’t need anything and everyone heard it with some people looking at him almost to say, “You heard her get out of line.” He all but came unglued on her as his own panic started to bubble over. The panic is real for many who live paycheck to paycheck and for good reason.
With one of our major providers of goods being the source of the pandemic, getting manufacturing back up and running in the United States isn’t an easy or an overnight endeavor. While journalist rail against our current President and his Task Force, no one seems willing, to be honest about what caused the problem. Since the 1970’s Globalist ideas and increasing regulations caused many businesses to move production overseas. Except for a few pockets, the transformation seemed all but complete with President Obama making the statement that those manufacturing jobs weren’t coming back.
For all the things Trump has been blamed for, he has gotten businesses to step up. This week Mike Lindell, the My Pillow guy, is converting 75% of his production capacity to the production of masks. Honeywell announced the opening to two new factories to ramp up production. Some of my former BLACKHAWK! co-workers are doing the same at Sentry Products Group. GM, Ford, 3M and many more are answering the call to convert production lines and divert resources to address the growing need to PPE, respirators and the like. For decades the US Government and states were warned about such a situation as this. This event has put those needs in the forefront. With the proper perspective, all of this effort should be commended. It won’t replace a supply chain 50 years in the making overnight, but it is a step in the right direction.
In 1994 The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over Tour was in full swing. Being an avid Eagles fan, I saw them play live in Detroit Tiger Stadium that summer just out of my freshman year of college. In 1995, a single made number 61 on the charts titled Learn to Be Still. The lyrics of the song paint a picture of life similar to what most of us are living now where a large number of us profess no association with religion. We fill our time running around “connected” by devices or electronic media. There is always something to do, something to watch or something to post about on social media. The focus on others has shifted to self to include the now infamous “Selfie”. We pull out our smartphone almost without thinking no matter the social situation as if it is the go-to source for all things. To add to our own neurosis some of us constantly check our posts to see if anyone responded because “Likes” trigger a dopamine response. Our lives had been geared toward getting the most of each day or at least looking like it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. However, as we are facing solitude from a Global Pandemic, many might be uncomfortable with sheltering at home and being isolated. Add to that the number of us who are now unemployed and worried about a paycheck, health care or putting the basics on the table. The dramatic impact on our daily lives is noticeable and life has slowed down for many of us. If we do venture out our focus is now more centered on others but not for the right reasons.
Hunters and Anglers understand what it means to learn to be still. I suppose the same could be said for those who do Yoga or meditate. Being comfortable in our own skin and remaining calm yet focused on our surroundings is something that has to be learned. I can’t tell you how many hours I have spent in the woods either sitting in a tree stand or quietly walking animal trails in the mountains without uttering a word. Anglers will cast a line in and out of the water for hours keeping quiet to avoid spooking fish. In September of 2016, my nephew came out to hunt black bear with me. He had never hunted before and was absolutely horrible about being still and quiet. When he was able to do it, he often got so relaxed he fell asleep. This is a pretty normal part of the process of learning how to actively be still. I know this first hand. If it weren’t for a safety harness I might have fallen out of a few trees when I first started hunting. Over time, you learn how to be still yet completely aware of your surroundings. My mind usually wanders to self-evaluation and relationships. Whether it is interpersonal relationships, such as being a husband and father, or the connection with my Creator, I think about how I am doing as objectively as I can and what I could be doing better.
During the Coronavirus Task Force Press Briefing on Monday, March 30th, Mike Lindell had the opportunity to address reporters. If you are unfamiliar with his story, you should learn more about him. He is someone who came out of major drug addiction and turned his life around. He is quoted as saying and I am paraphrasing here: “…I encourage you: Use this time at home to get … [sic] home to get back in the Word, read our Bibles, and spend time with our families… we will get through this and get back to a place that’s stronger and safer than ever.”
Staying calm in the midst of so many things happening that are beyond our control is very hard to do. It is even harder for those whose livelihoods are in jeopardy. Each of us will face something we would rather not. The School of Hard Knocks isn’t going to discriminate. Fear is natural but what we do with it is our decision. It is important for us to learn to be still, overcome fear and find purpose in what we do moving forward. For me, that purpose can be found in the spiritual but that might not be your cup of tea and that is fine. I would encourage you to find your source of purpose. We have people who are truly hurting and need help or compassion. During this time, we have an opportunity to disconnect from our normal daily routines and reset our priorities not just personally but as a nation.
Thankfully our government is stepping up to help out those in need financially. We can do more to help our neighbors than our elected officials. Thank you to our medical personnel who are caring for the sick. Please support those around us who need it and stay safe.
-L. Yarbrough, Bucks & Beers
