It was not so for the ancient sages. The goal of life was not to win, and certainly not to win at any cost. The goal was rather expressed as well-being for all, humaneness, loving kindness, wishing for others what we would wish for ourselves.
Today is Remembrance Sunday in the UK. The day has a focus on sacrifices made in times of war, of lives lost and other's irreparably changed, of honor, courage, and foolishness ... "lest we forget." It's important to remember, to be thankful we are not where we were then, and not to take peace for granted. In remembrance, we ponder lessons learned the hard way. In a forthcoming book chapter I take a look again at John Meynard Keynes The Economic Consequences of the Peace, written concerning the ending of the First World War and how best to make the peace. Keynes argued for fairness, for compassion for the losers, for a way to make things better for all. History tells us the allies did not listen to Keynes. Instead they adopted a "winner takes all" approach and the reparations for Germany were crippling. A devastated Germany became fertile ground for the rise of fascism. We make losers suffer to the detriment of all. It could have been so different.
For me, and I assume for many, this has been an exhausting week—physically exhausting to be sure (late and sleepless nights, early mornings), but emotionally more so. Two weeks ago I reminded myself to "not hold my breath and breathe deeply." Even so, during the last week remembering to breathe has not been easy. I was mindful, in writing my usual slew of work-related e-mails, to enquire how colleagues were doing, wish them well, and say a silent prayer for them. We shared an unspoken waiting and wondering. Our family WhatsApp group was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, taking it in turns to encourage each other, salve the fears, lift the spirit. I observed that, for the most part, in the waiting and wondering kindness prevailed. I saw and felt a tenderness, a deeper level of connection. "We're in this together." The shared experience brought us closer, as adversity often does. But it was exhausting.
Today my foremost emotion is relief. I had the first good night's sleep for a while, and felt a lightness on waking. When you carry a heavy load for some time you often only truly feel the weight when the load is lifted. For me the load of uncertainty, fear, and dread has lifted. Yet in my relief I spare a thought for those who feel despair and not relief. Imagine all the stress and strain of the last several months, the exhaustion physically, mentally and emotionally it brings, and then to find no relief but to be cast into despair! I have been there. Empathy is called for. "Winner takes all" will not serve us well. I am resolved to reach out to those I know will be feeling such—not to gloat, but to care.
I am also hopeful today. The future looks brighter. There are no guarantees of course, but there are possibilities. Our public discourse may be less cluttered with thinly veiled racism, hate, fear, and threats of retribution. Even so, in our immediate future is a global pandemic. Sidelined and ignored for a week by the US media, the monster has grown strong in the shadows. Its tentacles reach deep into every area of society, and its personal, social and economic costs will affect us for a long time to come. But today I have a glimmer of hope—hope that together we can beat the virus, hope that a more civil, kinder and more equitable future beckons, hope that with care and kindness we may yet thrive together.
Be well today,
+Ab. Andy