The Benefit of Crisis – The Certainty of New

Our humanity makes us all connected as the world deals with the crisis reaction to COVID-19. Social distancing can not change the fact my actions may continue to impact the world and people I will never meet. If any of us decide to “stock up” and another person sees the behavior and mimics, supply shortages happen. Or, if we express our distrust in the economy by liquidating equities, a sell-off may ensue and 3500 workers from a single company could find themselves furloughed. The good news is, “[t]he fact that man is capable of action means that the unexpected can be expected from him, that he is able to perform what is infinitely improbable.” (Arendt, p. 177-178) We will recover!

While the possibility of our actions having a negative impact on others exists, the same is true of the prospect of our actions being a part of betterment. Our individual actions could be the catalyst for a “new normal” synonymous with a better life for many. “It is in the nature of beginning that something new is started which cannot be expected from whatever may have happened before.” My hope for myself and my loved ones is to look for and to embrace new above a return to normal. Many of us may think nostalgically about the way things were before the crisis, not deeply considering the fact pre-crisis was not the best of times for all humanity. This crisis has temporarily leveled the playing field. Countries and people groups largely ignored are now on the world radar… help is on the way.  

Our response and actions in the middle of this game-changing crisis will set unprecedented wheels in motion. The 100% uniqueness of each human on the planet creates a glorious reality of unpredictability and endless possibilities. In the midst of the storm it is difficult to see the refuge of the harbor, but you know the harbor exist as long as you have the ability to propel yourself forward. We as leaders must inspire those in our charge to keep paddling. “The new always happens against the over- whelming odds of statistical laws and their probability, which for all practical, everyday purposes amounts to certainty…” We will recover!

Remember, nothing said is everything, but everything said is something…

Charles Pulliam, until next time...