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	being well during a pandemic gary e. davis	May 2020

In April, all of the annotated items below (except “solidarity”: new) were listed under the first heading, “How we’re weathering....” Yet, the point of the others was being well, the basis for weathering. I want to extend those themes beyond coping with a pandemic, because that’s the point of a life emerging from diffi-culty: making a reset a new beginning, even as a new era of one’s life. However, what’s “continued...” below presently is largely in terms of links to more relevant NYTimes articles, in a spirit of regarding the Times as a digital commons. That becomes a somewhat rigorous appreciation of how a small set of relevant articles become an annotated conversation about American humanity (between the article authors and myself). By the way, I’m amazed by so much excellent journalism—so much good work—being an ephemera in the 24/7 news cycle: here today (after so much work), largely forgotten tomorrow? The separate pages “continued...” here allow for further extension of the topics into larger-scale aspects of being well; and conversely will provide future context for linking from later conceptual prospecting to themes appropriated here from others.

how we’re weathering the war on virality

I felt very resilient and focused in April. Devotion of health care professionals on the front lines is unforgettable— and inspiring: They support our innate chance to thrive. Be well. continued...

being here now in reset: as if born again on / in a digital commons

There is progress, has been progress, and will forever be need for better rates of progress, from coping well to political renewal. continued...

addressing stress realistically

A specialist on anxiety when that portends panic advises a person to be active: “Face” the phenomenon. (That disarms the demon.) “Accept” the feeling. “Float” (go with the flow). “Let time pass.” But that advice is mere prelude. continued...

enjoying simple pleasures

Explore the day through walks (with proper social distancing) and hikes. Get crazy with others online with song. Be a mesmerizing cook. Read authors who are reassuring about what matters, finding hope, reason for optimism, gaining restoration, and solace. continued...

being optimistically, happily

Be lightness, as if the day is ridiculous sport worth narrating, because beyond the singalongs from windowsills and balconies, there are stories of hope. There is heartwarming news. continued...

enjoying solitude

Suppose you’re an astronaut witnessing all Earthliness, where being alone in our common humanity outstrips loneliness, and there may be magic in listening to nature’s embrace. continued...

literary living for being well

Maybe your Inner Child will be reborn through life-changing books or love of a poet. continued...

creative fortitude

Stressful energies can be channeled into creativity. continued...

friendship via screentime

Genuineness with others can be taken to heart through screentime (which, to my mind, has been true of letters forever). We can be a concerting cultivation across cultures. continued...

thankfulness

Let there be gratitude of mindfulness—thinking as thanking. continued...

active caring

The appeal of advancing greater good shows our intrinsic humanity. That may be why the Finns are humanity’s happiest. continued...

solidarity

So much of it during the pandemic of 2020. It derives from caring which finds an apt degree of belonging together in the same issues or events that hold shared importance. continued...

reason for hope in relation to system

Kindness is being celebrated. Health professionals are collaborating across states. Research on treatment across the planet is moving faster than first anticipated. Leaders are gaining empathy. All in all, better futures will be our result. (Even corporations are learning citizenship through initiatives.) continued...

political renewal

The future belongs to we who institute its promise politically. It’s not about succumbing to a depressive position, having merely glimmers of hope. (And preparing for the end of the world is rather excessive.) But defeating autocracy (which exploits crisis) will be complexly difficult. continued...

I welcome a notion of humanism in the above trans-cultural sense. I welcome a notion of being American that belongs with Our entire hemisphere in the planetary presence of Our commonwealth of humanity.

 

 

 

Be fair. © 2020, gary e. davis