Dancing in the Dark

Just a thought. As I write this article, I am moved by what is currently going on in the world with the coronavirus or as it has been officially titled COVID-19. The response to this novel virus which is related to the influenza virus is of interest to me. First, let’s start with the premise that I am not a scientist. I am not an infectious disease expert. I am not an infectious disease doctor.   I am not a medical doctor. I am not a biochemist etc... You get the point. However, I am a middle age, healthy, happily married, enlightened, father of 6. All this, not because I am better than you but, because I see the world differently than the majority of the almost 8 billion inhabitants on our planet.  
 I truly believe that the way we look at things really contribute to the outcome. I will get back to COVID-19 but, I compare the public response to the so called environmentalists. Some have publicly stated that the world will come to an end really soon, like 12 years, if we do not do something immediately to address climate change. Can it be that nothing really last forever? That whether it is climate or carbon, that the planet is at some point coming to an end? I read once where an Indian Saint, Muktananda was asked "Master, what is real?" and his response was, "That which never changes is real." He was referring to your soul. But, based on that definition, anything other than your soul has an expiration date. We may be able to extend the expiration date of certain things, but it will all disintegrate eventually. Whether it is a steel skyscraper, or the physical body it will reach its expiration date. We can stay fit, eat healthy, rest, not pollute our body with drugs or alcohol and be positive, but we can't avoid the inevitable and that is that nothing will last forever other than your soul or energy as I prefer to label it. That is why in my opinion the environmentalist have it all wrong.  
 People in general are fearful. It is the way we are raised and trained since birth. Your parents kiss you to say goodbye but in the same breath tell you don't get hit by a car. You are on vacation with your family, on South Beach in Miami enjoying the waves and they tell you to be careful about the currents and the sharks. You are learning to ride your bike and are reminded to be careful not to fall off and get hurt or god forbid knock out your adult teeth. Which quite frankly are not supposed to last forever anyway. lol!!! You get the picture. Fear is not real. It is in our minds. Since we are responsible in some way or another for putting it in there, we can easily take it out. It is just a choice we need to make. It is that simple. Albert Einstein said, " The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe." That's it, it's that simple. So, we all have a choice. I have made mine. I know what type of universe I live in.  
 Back to COVID-19, people as aforementioned are fearful. I can't get a roll of toilet paper in the supermarket because of fear. We will get over this. We have control over how we want to respond. We should all be kind to our neighbors. Use this time to bond with your family. Live your life!!!! Do not let the fear of a virus take over not only your physical body but your mind. It will not happen if you do not allow it to happen. Live today!!! Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Yesterday is gone. Live in the now, today!!!! That is why they call it the present. It truly is a present that we are all here at this time. Enjoy life. I look at what is going on with COVID-19 as an opportunity to reflect on my life. To make sure that when my expiration date is called, I will be able to say that I lived my life to the fullest. My advise to all is don't be like Ivan Illyich in the 1886 novel by Leo Tolestoy when on his death bed he tells his accountant that maybe he lived his life all wrong. I know that if my expiration date was called today that I have lived my life to the fullest. And, you should too!!  I leave you with a quote on point by Kevin Welch.  "There'll be two dates on your tombstone and all your friends will read 'em but all that's gonna matter is that little dash between 'em."
        Just a thought