“It is not enough that we do our best;
sometimes we must do what is required.”
―Winston S. Churchill
I have never lived through a world war, although I have lived through wars.
I have not lived during a pandemic, although I have experienced illnesses.
I have not physically wandered through a wilderness, though I have known
the loneliness of the wilderness.
I have not experienced a physical death, but I have known the loss and isolation of death.
I do, however, know paradox because we are currently living in such an anomaly.
Our current situation is not typical nor is it one that we can fully comprehend.
On some levels, life remains as we know it.
On others, not so much.
I still find great frustration in the cars I see driving constantly on the roads.
I am frustrated that we are told one thing and most choose to ignore the mandates.
The consequences of ignorance puts us all at great peril and risk.
Yet what of economics and loss?
What is the correct wisdom?
Stay in and isolated or open up and encourage commerce?
I agree with what I read from a fellow blogger’s post:
I have a sense of shame for myself which is natural.
How much more should I have been prepared spiritually for such an event as this?
(https://smokeofsatan.wordpress.com/2020/04/05/are-we-entering-the-false-world-of-virtual-reality-virtual-truth-and-virtual-church/)
And I greatly enjoyed the speech offered yesterday by The Queen of England.
Whereas the Queen gives her usual Christmas greeting to her Commonwealth,
this particular speech was one of only a handful that she has delivered to her Nation
during times of grief or need.
I respect her words of wisdom and resolve, in part because I know she has lived in
times that I have not.
She has maintained, now for her 93 years, a resolve that some would find harsh
while others would find stalwart and actually comforting.
I am of the latter thinking…
A few highlights—
“While we have faced challenges before, this one is different.”
“I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge,”
And, those who come after us will say that the Britons of this generation were as strong as any,
that the attributes of self-discipline, of quiet, good-humored resolve,
and of fellow feeling still characterize this country.”
“The pride in who we are is not part of our past.
It defines our present and our future.
“We will succeed, and that success will belong to every one of us,” she concluded.
“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return.
We will be with our friends again.
We will be with our families again.
We will meet again. But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.”
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