Wisdom in a Corona Virus World

My 95-year-old Dad sent me a poem this morning, one that he was sent, and my heart swelled to read it in this challenging time. Just what I needed. I thought others would appreciate this right now as well.  What a beautiful way of being in this world of corona virus quarantines.

Wisdom

Pandemic. What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath--the most sacred of times?

Cease from travel.

Cease from buying and selling.

Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is.

Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you commit your life.

Center down.

And when your body has become still, reach out with your heart.

Know that we are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.

You could hardly deny it now.

Know that our lives are in one another's hands.

Surely, that has become clear.

Do not reach out your hands.

Reach out your heart.

Reach out your words.

Reach out all the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch.

Promise this world your love--for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.

-Lynn Ungar, 3-11-20