Have you been wondering how you can help your community during this crisis caused by the Coronavirus?
This past week has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Starting Tuesday of last week both my wife and I came down with colds and we became quite fearful that our symptoms could get worse but our fears were relieved a couple of days later as our symptoms subsided and it turned out to only be colds.
As I was filled with relief I began to shift my focus to those who have been diagnosed with the virus and those who are more susceptible to the virus such as the elderly, those in poor health and those living in fear of contracting the virus. I immediately began to pray for each one of them and sent them thoughts of health and healing.
Later in the week, I began to read about many of my neighbors who are elderly were instructed to stay at home but they still had need of groceries and errands to run but due to the announcements made by the governor and for safety sake they were homebound. This news lead me to begin to think of practical ways I could help my neighbors and I decided to help by volunteering my time at the local Food Bank and also joined Facebook groups that help organize other people who have the same needs.
Together we can build a strong community of support for one another.
Another way to help is to shift their focus from disease to health and the health of those around them. Not just physical health but mental health and one way you can do this is to shift a person’s mindset to focus on happy things instead of sad.
This reminded me of the Disney movie Pollyanna. Pollyanna is an orphaned girl who is sent to live with her Aunt Polly in a small town of Harrington and the aunt is the richest person in town and because she is the richest in town she owns most of the businesses in the town and Aunt Polly even decided the topics of the sermons the local minister preaches on Sunday morning.
But the most powerful thing about the film is that Pollyanna is able to transform the town by teaching each person how to play the Glad Game and through the Glad Game she helps them shift their focus to the happy things in life and they let go of all the anger and resentment of the past. By the end of the film, the whole town falls in love with Pollyanna and each person begins to stand up to Aunt Polly in respectful ways and her love even softens Aunt Polly’s heart.
If you want to hear Pollyanna explain how the game is played you can watch it at The Glad Game.
During this crisis, I encourage you to take care of yourself mentally and physically and if possible help those struggling in fear and worry by teaching them Glad Game and help them when the need arises.
