Encouraging Words For 2021
From Grant Bartlett, PhD
I hope you are in Good Health and Positive Spirits. These are stressful times. Best Wishes for Health and Happiness in the New Year. May you be Blessed with all that is Good in this World.
If I pause for a moment in the midst of the current global pandemonium and COVID-19 pandemic, and I reflect on the Bubonic Plague that killed 25,000,000 persons in a much less populated world; the Black Plague in London killed 100,000 persons in a population of 450,000; the Spanish Flu killed 50,000,000 globally. And, our forebears decimated or annihilated new world populations by the millions on most continents with Tuberculosis (TB), Smallpox, Chickenpox, Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Influenza, Firearms, etc. It is time for reasonable thought and positive action.
During my own lifetime there have been major Wars (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.), and Wars continue, in which 10’s and 100’s of millions of persons, men, women and children, have been killed or maimed physically and mentally. And mankind survived. If I reflect on medical issues, that have been major concerns or panics during my lifetime, regarding TB (I had my Father, two Aunts, one Uncle and three Cousins infected); Polio (I had five classmates infected in a one room school with 44 students); SARS, Ebola, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, Smallpox, Chickenpox, Measles (Red & German), Mumps, HIV and more. All of these wars and diseases have contributed to the death of untold millions. And yet, with endless diseases and constant wars, Humans have survived, and the Global population continues to expand. This is positive food for thought. What have we learned?
COVID-19 is a very serious Pandemic. However, our global nanosecond reporting has set levels of Stress/Panic at new extremes.
This, once in a lifetime situation for many, requires that we focus on the positives in our lives, care for ourselves and care for each other. Perseverance is Paramount. Compassion is Essential. It is all about WE Not about ME.
The current mood in our City [Calgary] is one of quiet desperation, acute stress and depression. Domestic violence has shown a sharp rise, increasing by 500% since January 1. COVID-19 is among us. Shops and restaurants are closed for several blocks in most areas. Social distancing and self-isolation have introduced new relationship dynamics. It is truly surreal. I believe that this could be a very long road to recovery. And, unfortunately, a myriad of businesses and individuals will never recover.
There has never been a greater need for Community than now. And, remember, we, as humans, have done it many times before. In spite of the current negative situation we must be positive and count our blessings, (appreciate each other more, cherish more time for conversation, sleep in, read more, straighten the closet, enjoy a cleaner environment, cheaper gas), use our ingenuity, support each other, persevere and press forward.
We Will Prevail!
Be Well! Be Safe!
Grant Bartlett, PhD is a Serial Entrepreneur, Global Traveler, Consummate Reader, Mentor to Millennials, former Hockey Team owner of the Calgary Flames who has experienced a myriad of Careers in Government, Academia and Industry. Grant has mapped the Rocky Mountains and explored the Ocean depths. He believes that when you reach the far horizon there will be another. Never stop Dreaming.