We live in an instant society. Our phones give us 24/7 access to facts or alternate facts wherever we are whenever we want them. With a few swipes, I can find out how Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are doing during their Corona virus journey. I can get updates minute by minute from CNN, the New York Times, and any other publication. I can find another way to abuse myself with over-active stinking thinking. I can feed off of the chaos and doubt the power of my Higher Power. I can run around insisting that the sky is falling. I can be angry and worried over bills, money, food, and lack of toilet paper...
OR
I can use my recovery tools. The Serenity Prayer, my go-to tool of choice has several answers.
"God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."
What Do We Need To Accept?
Some businesses will close. Schools will close. Our meetings will either close, continue to meet, or switch to phone meetings. There are so many things we cannot control, like people who are buying cart loads of toilet paper.
In this new situation, we are back at Step 1. We are powerless over the Corona virus and all of the fallout. Step 2, our Higher Power can restore us to sanity, because buying that much toilet paper borders on insane. Step 3, we can turn our will and our lives over to him.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34,
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."
Yes, Jesus was the original inventor of ODAAT. Many people writing news stories don't have the benefit of our amazing recovery tools. They don't know we can all live just for today. This is our chance to shine.
What Can We Change?
We are not completely powerless. We can change many things in this uncertain time. With the risks for catching this virus comes the potential to emerge stronger than ever before. We can take walks, ride bikes, and have time to read.
We can control the people we are with and the places we go. Being out in nature, off the beaten path, away from the crowds is great for our physical health today and also great for our mental health. We can take advantage of the quiet down time. We can chose to slow down and rest. We can more easily say "No." We can try new, smaller meetings. We can attend phone meetings. We can meet together in very small groups.
We can control how close we are to other humans. We can wash our hands, and we should. Hand-washing is the Number 1 best line of defense. Simple hand soap will work; don't fret if you don't have sanitizer. Make lots of suds and wash for 30-60 seconds. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.
Also, wash your fruits and veggies with a mild soapy dish water before you eat them. You can also wash the tops of canned goods and sodas. If you do not have access to soap or are still working in the public, use hand-santizer if you have it.
In your kitchens, you can add a little bleach to your dish water and wipe down your counter tops and cabinet doors. Also, wipe down your refrigerator handles, stove knobs, microwave door, and coffee pot buttons. Soapy bleach water is also good for wiping down table tops.
In the bathroom, you can also add a little bleach to your cleaning water and wipe down the sink and shower faucets and counter tops. Also, don't forget about the toilet handle! A quick swipe of cleaning can go a long way in germ prevention.
We can also choose to not share drinks and straws. In many of our homes, friends become family, but we this doesn't mean we have to share our forks with our besties. Further, perhaps it's a good time to switch to paper towels in the bathroom vs. a community hand towel.
If you do have disinfectant wipes, wipe down remotes, door knobs, cell phones and shared lighters. And let's consider keeping our phones to ourselves.
Finally, we can choose to focus on the facts. From our friends at FARR (Florida Association of Recovery Residences):
The symptoms of infection with COVID-19 are usually a respiratory illness with fever, cough and difficulty breathing. The disease can be fatal. Transmission COVID-19 can spread from person-to-person who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Corona viruses in general can be spread through the air by coughing and sneezing and through close personal contact, such as shaking hands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Corona viruses can also be spread by touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then your eyes, mouth or nose.
We are in also in a high pollen season. Each morning, our cars and homes are covered with a fresh yellow-green film. Look for people with a fever. That can help us determine who has what. Rest assured, Purpose House leadership is working on a plan to help anyone who gets infected. You are not alone.
Where Do We Need Wisdom?
Nothing can replace the supreme direction of our Higher Power. Before you go anywhere, you can ask for clarity. You can ask for wisdom in all of your decisions. Ask for guidance in who you meet and what you buy. Ask for guidance in work and money. Some of us might temporarily lose jobs or work hours. Ask for guidance. Perhaps different work opportunities will arise in this health crisis.
Most importantly, always remember that your Higher Power has brought you through life and death situations. You are not alone. Any questions you have can be answered if you are willing to ask. It can really be that simple.