All posts by Lemfel
“Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunshine.” Benjamin Franklin
A Lemurian Wife and Mother writes:
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected my family in surprising ways. Fortunately we haven’t been sick, but like the rest of the country, we have been doing our best to combat the mental, emotional, and financial aspects of our changing world. In the beginning, there was a sense of fear juxtaposed with calm as we hunkered down in our home, planned our grocery deliveries, played board games and went on neighborhood walks. We did what we could to stay safe; we listened to the experts, wore our masks, and found pleasure in the simple things once again. I felt confident that the Elder Brothers were guiding my decisions as I prayed for their help.
But as our state started opening up and cases began to rise, I was left with a sense of unease. People were responding to the business openings in very different ways. Some friends were talking about how great it was to be back to “normal” while others were wary about the lack of caution in our community. My social media feed was full of articles and opinions for and against wearing masks. Turning on the news filled me with concern as I learned about the virus on a national level and watched story after story of loved ones dying. Local stories reported hospital beds were filling up again and cases were soaring, but in my community, most people still weren’t wearing masks in public. Doctors and politicians were fighting each other and our country seemed more divided than ever before.
Slowly, something began to change in my mind. In my quest to stay informed, I realized I had become overwhelmed with the conflicting messages, division, fear, and outrage and it was taking a toll on me. I had fallen into the trap of worry that Lemurians define as “a circle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a pivot of fear.”
Once this realization hit me, I knew if I consciously applied the Lemurian virtue Discrimination to decide how, when, and where to get my information, it would improve my mental outlook and decrease my worry. I decided to take a step back from the news and social media. I wanted to stay informed about medical updates and recommendations, but decided I didn’t have to read the political arguments or watch every news story on TV. I trusted the epidemiologists who were experts in their fields and decided to be more choosy about which news segments I watched and how often.
I tended toward factual, optimistic, and cautious news coverage and avoided the emotional stories about loved ones losing their battles with COVID-19. I subscribed to updates from doctors I trusted to give me the up-to-date changes in the fight against COVID-19, and tried to engage in news stories about topics that were optimistic and hopeful. And in speaking with friends, I made a point of listening and understanding the concerns of those who were worried or fearful without taking on their fears myself. I also engaged in more activities that brought me joy, like bike rides and long walks with my dog. Being in nature helps put things into perspective too.
Now we are getting ready to make the decision about our children entering school in person or choosing virtual learning for the upcoming semester. I am continuing to use Discrimination along with the guidance from the Elder Brothers to make the decision that will be best for my family. The opportunities we have been given to put our Lemurian teachings into practice have been plentiful these last few months, but I am so thankful that I have a tried and true spiritual toolbox to pull from to help me navigate the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic.
A Gateway Staff member notes:
One of our special rewards of this period has been eating our meals outside under the trees. Maybe it’s the smaller grouping, maybe the fresh air, but it is refreshing and relaxing. I think it’s helpful for the men who do so much physical work outside to be able to just sit and enjoy the beautiful space they have helped create, and I know the women all like it, too. Maybe it’s the picnic atmosphere or the comfortable seating, but even the insects aren’t a problem. Of course, the quick cleanup thanks to disposable dishes is also a plus. And there seems always to be a breeze.
We hope for all of you, most of the time, your experience with the pandemic is “a breeze,” too!
Men of special virtue and wisdom owe their powers to the trials they have endured. Mencius
Of the twelve primary virtues Lemurians work to develop and bring into balance in our lives, Courage is one most people would recognize as important. But how many really understand the deeper qualities of this virtue?
There are many who show extraordinary Courage and determination in the face of the harshest circumstances. John Lewis, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was willing to put his own life in jeopardy as he marched for a cause he believed was important for all people. Badly beaten by police batons and jailed many times, he offered no resistance, true to his code of non-violent resistance to injustice.
Another was John McCain, imprisoned in Viet Nam for 5-1/2 years, facing repeated torture and isolation. How does such a person hold on to their sanity, much less refuse an offer of early release because it would have meant leaving before other prisoners? What motivates a John Lewis or John McCain in the face of physical, mental, and emotional pain? These were outstanding examples of the virtue Courage which implies so much more than the more common quality, bravery.
To perform a brave act is commendable, and we are proud and encouraged to see those who pull a driver from a burning car, or save a child from a shark attack. But how many of these would humbly turn aside all the praise and attention people would try to lavish on them?
There are many who will face physical danger bravely, yet who shrink from the need to make a speech to a crowd or confess a wrong they have done, from speaking the simple truth when they have made a mistake, from being the one to convey sad or tragic news, from facing a situation which shows them in a bad light, or from admitting a lack of judgment. These take Courage.
Courage is a calm and persistent bravery in the presence of moral as well as physical danger. It is not the absence of fear, but moving forward in spite of fear because of a firm belief that by so doing, one can make a difference in the world.
True Courage is a spiritual quality. It is that priceless strength which inspires loyalty, utter sincerity and unshrinking devotion to that which we know is right.
True Courage as most of us have an opportunity to express it is usually not at all spectacular and so, too often is unrecognized. For instance, it takes little Courage to accuse others, but much to submit patiently to slurs, insinuations, and even accusations and not strike back, even when the accuser is without facts to back up his claims.
Yet, if we are able to withstand such attacks without retaliating, we are also developing other vital character strengths such as Tolerance, Forbearance, and Humility. And we will be a little closer to understanding and following Christ’s guidance to “Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you, That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.”