Posted on June 16, 2020

How to Overcome Disasters Together

During these troubling times, all we seem to hear about anymore is the widespread global pandemic known as Coronavirus. To put it lightly, this outbreak has been an epic fail on a catastrophic scale. By now, we have at least learned what not to do in order to prevent any future outbreaks. Fortunately, the majority of the world population has respected social distancing and stay at home orders, but are we ready to fully commit ourselves regarding what it takes to overcome disasters for the future wellbeing of our planet?

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

EVOLVE

If this deadly pandemic is not a wakeup call to every human being alive, I don’t know what is. Each and every one of us has been impacted, and as a result, we have suffered greatly. Now is the time to learn from our mistakes and begin rebuilding not only ourselves but the entire world — together. Whether we like it or not, we are left with a clear ultimatum. From this day forward, we must either learn how to evolve or revert back to our old habits leading to the destruction of all life as we know it on the entire planet, including ourselves.

The human race is collectively responsible for opening Pandora’s box. We are all to blame. Rather than focusing our energy on pointing fingers, we need to hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for our actions. Our own overconsumption, greed, and misuse of the planet’s invaluable natural resources have caused this. It is devastatingly heartbreaking.

I would feel much more accomplished knowing that I did my part to make a positive impact while leaving this world a little better from my presence. In a previous post, I mentioned how we can learn from children. Think of our children and all of the future generations. What kind of world do you want them to grow up in — one that is dying or thriving? What type of person would you want them to become — someone who is selfish or selfless?

Our children will reflect the examples that we provide for them. They are our most precious gifts. Teach them how to respect, protect, and to take care of our beautiful planet. Show them how to succeed where we have failed. This could be our last chance, but it is not too late to change. Now is the time to make a valiant effort. Your voice matters. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Your actions today will dictate history and our future. Open your mind to new possibilities. Live by example. Show our children that we can evolve and overcome disasters together.

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.Native American Proverb

GIVE BACK

Many of us live with the mindset that our time is money. Although this may be true and our time is indeed valuable, sometimes by sharing our skills and knowledge we can in turn benefit so many others beyond ourselves. Spreading seeds of kindness is cyclical. What you sow now, you along with many others will reap the benefits of later.

Think of it as making an investment to ensure a better future for not only yourself but your children, grandchildren, and all of the future generations of the world. You are a part of something so much bigger than yourself. When you share your gifts with others, you are creating a domino effect of kindness. This is what the world needs now more than ever. Be an example by sharing what you have to offer without expecting anything in return. You might be surprised by the impact you will have on the lives of others and how it can positively change the world.

One of the most prominent forward-thinking companies of our time is tentree. Their motto is, “Big change starts small.” They offer sustainably made products while planting ten trees for each item purchased. I have supported and believed in this company for many years, and I am confident that they have the necessary drive and motivation to make our world a better place.

Tentree is passionate about helping you to offset your carbon footprint from planting trees around the world. By doing this, they are educating us on how we can give back and do our part. I would highly recommend considering companies like tentree and other environmentally conscious sustainable brands when making purchases in the future. How you spend your time and money makes an impact.

Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world.Howard Zinn

UNITE

Each of us is familiar with the concept of being a team player. It means doing something for the collective benefit of many individuals rather than simply to achieve your own personal goals. Think of the entire world along with every living human being, creature, and organism as a member of your team. This mindset is the kind of forward-thinking we need to not only survive but to thrive in the future. We are all in this (and we are stronger) together.

One thing is certain — nothing will be the same in a post-pandemic world. There will be those who try to resist change while others embrace it. Consider the facts and what we have learned. Blaming each other will not solve the issue. We must peacefully reconcile our differences while establishing common ground to unite and focus on the bigger picture.

Although it may be difficult to see the silver lining when so many lives have been negatively impacted by this pandemic, believe it or not, we can learn to evolve our way of thinking while working together to overcome disasters. Air quality all over the world has already improved significantly due to the decreased use of fossil fuels. This is our chance to begin a great reset. As stated by the founder of World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab, “the pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world to create a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous future.”

It is time for us to accept the truth of our current situation and embrace change for the benefit of every living being on our planet. Do what you can to contribute towards positive change by using your own unique gifts. Let your voice be heard. Only through compassion and understanding can we overcome disasters together. The future of our planet depends on your actions today.