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We, all of us, are living in challenging times, there is no other way to put it. But in man’s hours of greatest challenges come also his greatest victories. Amidst this challenge, you are the ray that will light up the world.
As we move forward in our collective history beyond 2020 into the world that lies beyond, we shall recall these moments with crystal-clear lucidity: Where we were when we heard about the first case in our country; what we did when we realized we were staying home from work; who the first person we knew to be diagnosed was; and the relief we felt when the all-clear was given. For now, we are still in the darkness of night when it comes to the coronavirus, but each of us has it within ourselves to spark up a torch, a flashlight, a single match and begin to light the way to our better tomorrow. It can start with the smallest of actions; reaching out to an isolated loved one via phone or video chat; leaving a hot meal on the doorstep of an elderly neighbor anonymously; spending extra time with our children or our spouse to connect in this time of crisis, gauge their feelings and offer up the sort of unconditional love and support that only family can. Every positive action we take today, every wash of our hands, every hour we work from home rather than risking a commute, every bit of loose change we donate to a worthy cause, every prayer we give to our God for safety, healing, a cure, a vaccine, a breakthrough, or a flattening of the curve is one step closer to the crisis passing and the beginning of a new age for mankind; one in which we rectify the errors of yesterday to make tomorrow’s world safer and better for ourselves and those who come after us. For now, we support the brave medical workers, the scientists, the seafarers, pharmacists, truck drivers, government employees and grocers who are continuing to fight the good fight and provide for the rest of us, safe in the knowledge that when the storm is past, we will take hold of the reins and help shoulder the load as we head forward into that bright future together.
Like the inspiring French author Albert Camus once said…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.