I created Living ROI as a passion, to share my experiences and support others who want to live more authentic, joyful and fulfilling lives.
Dear Friends,
Surprisingly, I woke up this morning not thinking about the coronavirus for a moment, until my husband said something. The topic is ever-present right now.
I went to the market yesterday and the tension was palpable. I accidentally lingered in an aisle with my cart in front of the last remaining packages of toilet paper and a man practically pushed me out of the way to ensure he got one. There are so many stories of panic buying and temporary shortages.
“This is a once-in-a-hundred-years situation,” the cashier said. It feels crazy, intense and a little scary.
Who knew how hard it is to not touch your face? OMG
I’m not so worried about getting the virus myself; I’m more worried about the vulnerable, our medical infrastructure, the economy and life as we’ve known it changing in some unpredictable ways.
Home is feeling cozy. I had planned to be on a flight to Costa Rica tomorrow. Canceled. I was going to NY later this month. Canceled. I was going to ski near Tahoe next week since I can’t go to Costa Rica. The slopes are closed. There is a very clear message. Stay close to home. Hunker down. Be with dear family and friends.
What I can and will do this week, aside from work:
- Go for hikes in the many state parks near my home.
- Play games and do art with my daughter.
- Finalize my capsule wardrobe.
- Find ways to be of service in the current situation.
- Catch up on email.
- Finalize my taxes and deal with other home paperwork.
At ROI, we are in the center of helping companies communicate with their employees, adapt to virtual work, transition events from in-person to virtual and much more given the massive impact of this crisis.
As a leader, I’m working with my team to adapt to the crisis for our own people and our clients. Besides a relatively small headquarters office, we have been working virtually at ROI for nearly 20 years, which is a great advantage in general, and a blessing in this moment.
Anxiety and stress during this time is real. The CDC put together an excellent resource on Managing Anxiety and Stress and talks about the varying issues and concerns depending on your situation. It also shares advice for parents, direct responders and those who have been quarantined.
Here is a beautiful take on our global situation from Brother Richard Hendrick, OFM, in Ireland:
Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
Across the empty squares,
Keeping their windows open
So that those who are alone
May hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
Is busy spreading fliers with her number
Through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
Are preparing to welcome
And shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality.
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness
But there does not have to be disease of the soul.
Yes there is even death
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic,
The birds are singing again.
The sky is clearing
Spring is coming
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
To touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Wishing you and your loved ones some peace, lots of health and a song on your lips,
Barbara Fagan-Smith
CEO, ROI Communication
Chief Catalyst, Living ROI
