Fear And Helplessness

Every day now, I’m seeing more people saying “I live in X. I don’t know anyone with Corona here, so don’t you think the government and media are lying to us?”

This is one human reaction to horror: denial. The reverse, of course, is people who believe anything on the slightest rumor. The mass of humanity is in the middle. We’re ALL on that spectrum somewhere, about one thing or another. I think we should be gentle with people who have different evaluation strategies, different filters and beliefs and values. These people — they are just trying to understand, to cope. And sometimes…they make mistakes. And sometimes the consequences of those mistakes are dreadful. And when you glimpse that, you feel panic and fear…and shame. And if you don’t see an answer, or if admitting you were wrong weakens your sense of self that very pain solidifies your position, in a descending spiral like a binge eater or a compulsive gambler.

Like the rest of us, they are programmed to move away from pain and toward pleasure. Unfortunately, in time most of them WILL know someone who has it, and then their tunes will change. And they will deal with the guilt and shame of realizing that if they had shifted earlier, and encouraged others to shift, that loved one might still be healthy…or alive.

You cannot help people change if you disrespect them. And we need every citizen to work together now. Yes, you are angry and afraid. But if you can find it within yourself to be as gentle as possible when these people show a bit of vulnerability, a bit of questioning…

The family you save may be your own. We’re all in this alone…together.

Namaste

Steve

(Tonight on Lifewriting Live we’ll be discussing “Fear and Helplessness.” Join us at 6pm Pacific Wednesday July 15 on Youtube at

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXrkjzvvY7EqWupGVlnRlFQ?view_as=subscriber)