Hope Notes: Rhythm
It’s been 11 days since Hope Notes started.
People all over the world are working together right now to spread cheer to each other. Many of you have already shared stories with me so that I can broadcast them. Thank you! It’s so helpful to see us weaving together a new social fabric in real time, as our need grows.
In that spirit, I want to make a couple little tweaks to our relationship here.
Hope Notes started out on a twice-weekly schedule, publishing Thursdays and Mondays. I’m now going to switch that rhythm to once a week, on Thursdays. This is so I can make some space to look at the question of how we can best organize the recovery and renewal that is ahead of us. Stay tuned for more details.
Starting from this Thursday’s edition, I’m going to start highlighting other resources with a similar vibe to Hope Notes that you can follow and use for yourself. That way, you can dial up the amount of good news flowing your way through email and social media.
Finally, I’m going to focus my reflections in Hope Notes each week on how hope works - this thing that we need so much and misunderstand so often. I’m going to write more about joy, about positive discipline, and about unconditional love. I want all of us to have the toolkit we need for the long haul.
Why do I feel qualified to talk about this? I’m not a mental health professional or a pastor. But I am someone who is made of broken bones, in the words of Thomas Merton. I’ve had some trauma in my life, I’ve struggled with anxiety, and I’ve made some unforced errors. This is just to say that I feel I’ve earned my hope honestly.
It’s really important to me that we all get through this together, and that we heal together. This crisis has laid bare how ignorant we had become of our common humanity.
It will take great hope to start building a better future right now. And if we take a look at how hope really works, it may help lighten the load for you and your loved ones. That’s what I intend to offer here.
Also, totwaffles. That item apparently made a big impression on some of you. :-)
Road to Recovery
As of yesterday, there are at least 145,706 people worldwide who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have fully recovered. This is an increase of 33,811 since our last edition. An unknown number more have encountered the virus on their own and made a full recovery. As we face a surge of cases in the US and in many other places, we hope for strength in those who are actively suffering right now, and in the healthcare workers giving vital care. We hope as well for peace in the lives of everyone who has lost a loved one or friend in the midst of this crisis.
Good Moves
How people are practicing generosity, ingenuity, and love around us right now.
Come Together
Social science confirms - we’ve got this.
It’s worth clicking through to read this whole thread.
And Finally…
A group of stuffed gorillas named Lord Byron, Earl Grey, and Phil are practicing social distancing and working from home together. Check out all of their adventures on Instagram.
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Be well, friends.
- Michael
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