It’s funny how sometimes the switch just flips for you.
I walked into the gas station in the town I was raised in last night to grab a cup of coffee. I didn’t know either of the women working behind the counter, but they were in a very dramatic conversation about the availability of groceries and other necessities. As I walked to the register to pay for my coffee I could see real panic on their faces…fear…damn near a terror.
As I fumbled through my wallet I asked what was so concerning. The next few minutes were a flurry of two voices competing to be heard as they told me about an email one of them had received telling them of the impending doom to come as the Governor was about to impose something akin to martial law. One of them was a mother of twins and hadn’t had a chance to go shopping as she’d been working double shifts and she was certain they were all going to starve.
Martial law was never imposed. Not as of this writing anyway. But that little encounter really made me take notice of some things. This whole virus pandemic doesn’t bother me. Maybe it should, but it doesn’t…and because it doesn’t I really haven’t been looking at the way others are being stressed to their breaking point over this time in our history…“History”, being a key word here.
So…whether it helps or not…I thought maybe I should explain why this doesn’t get to me in the least. If gaining a little information by seeing things from my perspective helps just one person, it’s worth the few minutes it took me to write this. So let’s talk a little about history…because those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it, right?
The Ethiopian fossils for Herto and Omo are thought to be the first ever human remains. They are estimated to be 200,000 years old.
Our species has been walking this planet for a long time…through wars, plagues, meteorite strikes, floods and global warming and cooling periods. There are few species on this rock as resilient as we. Science and History have shown us that our ancestors migrated from Africa to cover this whole planet…that’s a lot of migration. Do you really think a species that can populate a planet like that, design and build the world we live in and overcome all the things we’ve encountered can be wiped out by a virus?
When you strip away the politics, the media, the financial shit, the racism, the xenophobia, and the medical jargon this all comes down to our ability to survive as a species…we are Homo Sapiens…and Ladies & Gentlemen, we are at the top of the food chain regardless of what the press, the latest Hollywood movie or zombie television series would lead you to believe. We are time tested and battle hardened. There’s a solution out there and we’ll find it. I have little doubt about that.
Aside from that, we’re the lucky ones…we’re not just homo sapiens…we’re AMERICANS, dammit. That puts us at the very tippy-top of that food chain. We just don’t lose. For nearly 250 years we’ve been kicking the living shit out of whatever steps foot on American soil and attempts to do us harm. Again…remove the politics, media, finances and medical jargon out of the equation and think about that. We’re not really known for fading quietly into that goodnight, now are we? I’ll tell ya…for the last 30 years or so, we’ve really been living off our reputation…but if you want to see our best, show us your worst. I have nothing less than a heartfelt awe for the American Spirit. There are times a little dent can be put in that spirit, but you’ll never squelch it. There’s nothing…NOTHING…we can’t conquer…I believe that to the depths of my soul.
Don’t believe me….maybe you’ll believe Bill….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXjqTyQuq4w
In a nutshell, that’s why I’m not worried. I’ll play by the rules of societal quarantine. I’ll keep up with the latest and greatest in the current events as they unfold. But I won’t worry. This virus might take me…but it won’t take us…and when all the smoke clears, that’s the most important thing…protection and perpetuation of the species.
Now…I fully understand that my words may not have put everyone’s mind at ease. So I’m going to give you the best advice I can give you IF….(and that’s a big IF)…..IF everything goes to hell in a hand cart. This advice isn’t for just the coronavirus pandemic. This is for every bad situation you may encounter in your life.
“Out
of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are
just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have
them, for they make the battle. Ah…but the one…one is a
warrior…and
he will bring the others back.” –Heraclitus
Find the one. Find the one and stick close to him/her. The one will protect you like you’re their own family because they will understand the importance of the preservation of every single life.
Sounds easier said than done, doesn’t it? Well, that’s what I’m getting ready to teach you, so pay attention. When the drama kicks up to level 10 and everyone is losing their mind, look past all the people geared up for the zombie apocalypse…99.9998% of the time, the loudest person in the room is the weakest person in the room…but many will follow them because that’s who Hollywood has trained us to admire. Don’t look for a Knight in shining armor. If their armor isn’t tarnished and dented, it’s never seen battle.
Tranquillitas Animi….Fortis Cordis….Manus Vehementi. Take a minute to look around. The one is not hard to spot. Find the quiet person whose eyes are in thought instead of panic. Find the person who looks calm in the mayhem. That person is the “one” Heraclitus was talking about. Find the one and stick with them. Tranquillitas Animi; Fortis Cordis; Manus Vehementi….Calm Mind, Strong Heart, Violent Hands.
I wholeheartedly hope none of you ever need to find the one…and I honestly don’t think you will. Just remember the history and take solace in the fact that homo sapiens have survived a lot worse than this…and more importantly…we’re AMERICANS, dammit.
And hey….wash your freakin’ hands.