{"id":8518,"date":"2021-04-27T07:31:04","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T12:31:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/?p=8518"},"modified":"2021-04-23T15:20:03","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T20:20:03","slug":"may-2-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/faithlens\/may-2-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"May 2, 2021–More Than Just Surviving"},"content":{"rendered":"

Danny Stone, Springville, IA<\/b><\/p>\n

Warm-up Questions<\/b><\/p>\n

Our “Pandemic Year” has forced us to adapt to new challenges and\u00a0change our ways.\u00a0 What adaptations and changes will you keep?\u00a0\u00a0 What will you prune?<\/p>\n

More Than\u00a0Just Surviving<\/b><\/p>\n

Imagine being born into a pandemic and having the same pestilence return\u00a0when you are 18, 28, 39, 42, and 44.\u00a0 These outbreaks are particularly.\u00a0nasty and can easily kill 1 out of 5 in a community. As you would expect,\u00a0each episode comes with quarantines and restrictions.\u00a0 Markets, gatherings,\u00a0restaurants and theaters are closed for extended periods.\u00a0 Sound familiar?\u00a0How would you react if you were a locally famous, London playwright forced\u00a0into isolation?\u00a0 Would you sulk?\u00a0 Or would you write Macbeth, Antony and\u00a0Cleopatra, The Winter’s Tale <\/em>and The Tempest<\/em>?\u00a0 William Shakespeare’s career\u00a0and life were marked by six eruptions of the bubonic plague.\u00a0 He survived,\u00a0adapted, and incorporated battling the disease into his plays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“A plague on both your houses.” – Romeo and Juliet<\/em>: Act 3, Scene 1, Line\u00a01594<\/p>\n

“Thou art a boil” – King Lear<\/em>: Act 2, Scene 4, Line 219<\/p>\n

Maybe a new Shakespeare is right now writing a brilliant tragedy.\u00a0 Some\u00a0of us have made incredible leaps as we cope with Covid 19.\u00a0 Some of us face\u00a0daily struggles, loneliness, isolation, and financial ruin. \u00a0567,000 of our\u00a0neighbors have lost their lives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>A very unscientific Facebook poll asked 1300 Americans to answer, “How has\u00a0the pandemic changed your life, and will you make any of these changes\u00a0permanent?”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Matt – Georgia<\/p>\n

Matt moved from a community in Michigan that refused to mask or social\u00a0distance.\u00a0 “So we left. In the beginning it was socially distant RV trips to\u00a0other parts of the country to see natural splendor. In the end it was\u00a0full-on relocation to a place with a better climate (weather) and a better\u00a0climate (diverse and progressive).”<\/p>\n

Kellie – Iowa and Germany<\/p>\n

“I learned a lot about myself. I’ve explored new interests and had some time\u00a0to explore who I am outside of “teacher.” My husband and I also grew closer\u00a0as we had to get more creative with our conversations since we spent every\u00a0day at home with each other. It also helped, I suppose, that we moved across\u00a0the world with just each other for company.\u00a0I have learned how selfish many Americans are, and I hope that some of these\u00a0practices (like wearing a mask when you are sick) become the norm. I also\u00a0hope that this slower pace of life becomes the norm. We as a society are so\u00a0over scheduled, and I think it’s been nice to have a chance to stop and just\u00a0be.”<\/p>\n

Jenna – Texas<\/p>\n

“The pandemic gave me time to *be* and heal and slow down, which I\u00a0appreciate immensely. It also severely slowed\/cut my business, which was\u00a0rough. But, I qualify & am working through a PPP loan application.\u00a0I will carry a few changes into post-pandemic life. Prioritizing some time\u00a0to myself and remembering that I can get by on less than I think I can. And\u00a0focusing more on recording and not just live performances in the next few\u00a0years.”<\/p>\n

Paula – Iowa<\/p>\n

“This past year gave me great pause. It made me look at facets of life\u00a0through different lenses- everything from family, work, faith, community,\u00a0society, etc. The good, the bad and the ugly became really transparent. I\u00a0found myself very disappointed in others’ behaviors and at the same time I\u00a0gained a true appreciation for the kindness of neighbors. Things that I will\u00a0carry forward… remote connection through zoom, intentional calls and\u00a0convos with family\/friends. Ordering online groceries. Support small local\u00a0businesses more intentionally. Focus on living in the moment. Not take the\u00a0basics for granted.”<\/p>\n

Heather – Texas<\/p>\n

“I think it definitely showed me how important slowing down is and I want to\u00a0make that as permanent as possible.”<\/p>\n

Mike – California<\/p>\n

“I’m in my late 50s. I lost 2 sources of employment and stayed home most of\u00a0the time. I have a lot to own up to. No human should waste time the way I\u00a0did. I watched way too much news, as I felt like a sentry at the gates of\u00a0sanity & integrity. Anxiety! I got really good at internet card games rather\u00a0than reading or learning a new hobby. I also found out how few of my friends\u00a0couldn’t be bothered to call me and talk (I initiated almost all my phone\u00a0conversations). It was a horribly unproductive period, but hopefully my\u00a0awareness is now raised. When 2\/3 of your life is behind you, there’s no\u00a0time to waste. I feel like I just wasted a precious year.”<\/p>\n

Discussion Questions<\/b><\/p>\n