My Thoughts on the Corona Virus

Year 2020 is nothing like what we have imagined!  No one could have predicted the world pandemic that has hit us. Like everyone else I am trying to make some sense of what we’re experiencing.

Does it surprise anyone else the fact that we are told to keep distance from everyone else except for our immediate family? Could it be that we have gotten away from focusing on what matters most, and instead we got busy with so many other things, maybe good things but with the price of neglecting our dear ones? What if this world pandemic has hit us in an effort from up above to nudge us into the right direction? Because I would hope that together with having no other choice but spend a lot more time around family, that we also get closer emotionally. I really think we can come out of it with a stronger family bond.

So, I know many people are freaking out and are taking the virus situation too far; I also know there are some who are dismissive of the virus and truly think we should go about life as usual. I just want to have an appropriate reaction giving what we’re dealing with, but that’s hard to know what it looks like.

Maybe it’s being prepared temporarily, within reason, which us, Latter-Day Saints have always been advised by our leaders to be. While at the same time recognize our Heavenly Father is in charge, and trust in Him all will be well.

When I read the scriptures that mention the last days prophecies it has a lot more meaning to me now. I get what they say more clearly. Even Isaiah makes sense and feels more personal to me than ever before.

I don’t think most things in life happen accidentally, and this pandemic is no exception. Maybe we needed an opportunity to learn and change both as an individual and collectively. As we are literally cutting off the outside world, we have a chance to look inward and to ponder more. When I do that, I feel peace and faith, I feel like everything is going to be alright. I hope you will feel the same too.

Sometimes the only action needed is to BELIEVE

When you move to a new city you’ve never even visited before, two weeks after you got married, it can be a little bit intimidating and even discouraging.  Luckily I did have this really good friend who took us in for the first week.

So I have this illusion that there is one best way to do everything, that there is one best apartment we should live in, and that there is one best job I should be having, and so on … you get the picture. And because I’m wired to think that there is one optimum way or thing in everything, once I come across that one thing, I tend to get all worked up and to focus all my mental capacity and efforts towards that one thing.

Most recent such happening is with a perfect apartment we found here in our new city of residence, Arlington VA. Not only is it close to the Metro station and all the major stores one would ever need (i.e. Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Bed Bath and Beyond, Costco, Marshalls, Macys and even more), but it is also so cute: hardwood floors, freshly painted walls, pretty spacious and just homey and perfect. Well since this is not good ol’ Sac town, where I never needed to apply to get a place, but went through family connections, we had to undergo this slightly stressful application process. It’s been a bit humbling and we still haven’t heard back whether is yey or nay.

As I was all worked up and a bit discouraged on Sat. I saw this quote, out of all places at the World Market. 

And I realized that sometimes all it’s required of us to get to where we wanna get, is to BELIEVE. I realized that my problem is not a lack of taking action or responsibility, but maybe having this notion that I may, somehow, have more power and can influence my environment more than I really can.

At first, it may seem almost easier to be believing rather than to take action, but I think it’s actually tougher. It’s always easier for me to make a mental or even physical list of the logical elements necessary for me to tackle and accomplish whatever it is that I want to accomplish; by contrast, having that faith which makes things happen, is to have a belief in something which by all standards you shouldn’t. And isn’t that the definition of miracles? Maybe the most impressive miracle of humanity is the potential we have to believe things out of this world.

And that’s how I backed off, relaxed some and acknowledged that I have already covered all that I could influence on my own and that the rest is up to the Universe…

Why Nephi is so amazing...

This morning I was reading 1 Nephi 4, and a few things occurred to me.

First of all, just as Lehi informed his sons of what the Lord has asked that they returned and got the records, Laman and Lemuel of course started murmuring. Nephi, knew right away that it was the Lord's request and not his father's. Then when they went into the city to get the records from Laban, Laman was almost killed, and I wonder if it didn't have to do with his negative attitude towards the whole task of getting the records.
Maybe it didn't though, because even Nephi's plan of trading all of their richness that they had previously left behind for the records didn't go through, as Laban took their goods and wanted to kill them.

However, the difference is that as the older brothers were ready to return to their father's, Nephi was persistent in completing the task. He exhorted them to return to the city and to act in faith. Murmuring they did follow him, and as he went into the city, he even stated that didn't know beforehand the things which will happen. And soon enough Laban was delivered into his hands, all weak and drunk.

Likewise, I feel like sometimes in our lives all the Lord wants to see from us is trying in faith, and even though our plan may not pan out, as Nephi's didn't either, He will eventually make it happen according to his will.

That gives me comfort, knowing that although I still need to try very hard and to the best of my abilities, that in the end He can and will make it happen, many times in miraculous ways.

And this is one of the many instances that I think Nephi is so amazing...