No one questions or denies that we are going through some troubling, chaotic, and devastating times. The COVID-19 virus has taken hundreds of thousands of lives all around the world. Countries have shut down, businesses have closed, food supply is shortening, families struggle to keep their home running, fed, and safe. During extreme natural disasters all around the world, like hurricanes and tsunamis, people flock to donation sites and try to help with whatever they can. We see how compassionate people can be to help others in times of need and desperation. In the same token, when these types of disasters, or in this case, the COVID virus, hits home, people are reluctant to offer the same generosity and compassion. Instead, people are looking out for themselves and their loved ones only, which is understandable, but we tend to forget that other people are also suffering and struggling.
For some reason, the virus has caused mass hysteria and lead people to stock up on food, water, and for the craziest reasons, toilet paper. It’s okay to shop for supplies to last a few weeks, but this mass stock up has caused several negative consequences that’s lead people in real need high and dry. People that are less fortunate, that don’t have transportation, the elderly – these people are the last to make it to the grocery stores, but by the time they make it, prices are higher and everything is out of stock.
Be compassionate. Not only to yourself and your family, but to all others. No one deserves to be left alone, to go hungry, to be without proper supplies and safety, to die. If you can, share what you can with your friends and neighbors, especially those less fortunate and the elderly. Your generosity to others can be the turning point for so many people who are depressed and willing to give up, and give them the faith and strength needed to survive through this pandemic.
It’s easy to think that others other than our family aren’t a priority, but that’s a false perception. We are all family. We might have different names, colors, nationalities, races, and religions – but we all share the same blood and being human beings. In Buddhism, it is believed that everyone is interrelated, so in a past life your best friend could have been your parent or sibling, the annoying co-worker could have been your child or spouse, the random store clerk could have been your uncle or cousin – so if we think like this, then everyone, everywhere is part of our family, so why don’t we treat them like it? Don’t discriminate, don’t judge, don’t only focus on your immediate family. The world, our beautiful mother Earth, and all its children are sick, and we need to do everything we can to help them heal, survive, and live stronger and longer lives.
