“Tough times never last but tough people do.”
Robert H. Schuller
History tells us that we will survive and weather this current Coronavirus (COVID-19) storm. It’s not a bad thing to be aware of germs. Washing our hands thoroughly and not touching our faces are good daily habits to form for the long run.
When I lived on a Catamaran in the British Virgin Islands, every morning it was imperative to check the latest weather report over the ship radio. We tracked all of the tropical depressions leaving Africa, heading our way. We could not afford to be caught unprepared, because in our case, since we were living on the yacht, that could be “bye bye” boat. Many people “hauled out” their yachts when the reports got too bad, meaning they put their boats on dry land and left the island for the mainland. Many times, we chose to stay and ride out the storms.
It was interesting to observe how people reacted to predicted hurricanes. Fear always swept rapidly across the islands. For the most part, people panicked. My friends and I who chartered and lived on yachts had well-thought-out contingency plans for “the big ones.” These plans and back up plans were essential, based on where you were when you first heard the hurricane alarm.
After five years, and probably 8 to 10 strong hurricanes under our belts, we became experts at the drill. The main lesson I took from these wild storm experiences, is one that has helped me navigate through my day-to-day life. Don’t get caught up in the fear, the exaggeration, the doom and gloom that seems to cloud our vision more and more every day.
Now the world is grappling with the widespread effects of the Coronavirus. At the time of this writing, the California Governor’s office has recommended that all social gatherings of 250 people or more be cancelled or postponed due to the Coronavirus.
Many planned events, festivals, conventions and travel have been cancelled or postponed. Disneyland closed its doors until the end of March. The Coachella music festival was moved to October. The NBA, NHL and MLB have suspended their seasons until further notice.
My advice is to be calm, quiet, and stay true to your values. Focus on executing your plans, your goals, and live your life the very best you can. To quote Denis Waitley, “Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.”
Be smart and prepared.
Ralph
