I am aware that thousands of you are more qualified, more creative, more engaging, and more influential than I. But whether you are a mover, shaker or dreamer, please finish this article and then point your inexhaustible talents toward creating hope and light for those around you. I apologize in advance for the extended length.
Life has changed and for how long, we don’t know. Looking forward to what a post-pandemic future might look like can only be called conjecture.
I am not interested in contributing more gloom to the discordant noise we hear daily. News that reaches us from every source is foreboding and somber as we endeavor to keep up with moment-by-moment changes. We learn what to do and what not do. We examine current situations in neighboring communities and those of distance.
I think we’re called to more.
It’s not enough to talk about this around the water-cooler. Oh right, we won’t find anyone at the water-cooler. It’s not enough to soak up information from every authority available. It’s not enough to ‘shelter-in-place’ tightly clutching our form of worry beads.
Millions are wrapped in sudden, unexpected turmoil as they experience the pain of head-snapping, almost violent change even if untouched by this virus. As we pour over constant updates, we need to remember that the information we absorb is not only about statistics, restrictions, closings, layoffs, and quarantines (self-imposed or otherwise). Beneath all of that, are people. It should always be about people – close neighbors and those of distance.
I think we’re called to more.
The news speaks of limitations and restrictions. The United States Government has issued instructions referred to as 'social distancing'. Gatherings, only if absolutely necessary, are limited to less than but certainly no more than #groupsof10. This is, in fact, the safe, responsible and loving thing to do for ourselves and our neighbors.
But we will all be firmly shaken as we traverse from our previous normal which allowed the freedoms of coming, going, doing, seeing, and buying anytime, anywhere to our newly mandated and constrained ’boundaries’.
I think we’re called to more.
I am suggesting that we look to these circumstances from a point of opportunity rather than limitation. I wish to consider connection rather than compulsory disassociation. I propose brightness rather than darkness.
I think we're called to more and I believe we can rise to the challenge.
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| Du capteur à l'infini/From the sensor to infinity/ Från sensorn till oänligheten (Visual Hunt) |
The Proposal
If you think about it, this mandate restricting communal activities to less than ten could easily be molded into an invitation to create #groupsof10.
We all know there is power in numbers. We all know about ‘powers of 10’ so let’s use what we know to be true. Let's imagine what that would look like.
To all the creative and engaging people mentioned in the first paragraph – this is for you, but not just for you. Some of us might fall short with respect to the gifts of influence and impact. However, so very many of us have extraordinary hearts and souls - mighty and fearless forces.
There is a place for you. That is not a collective ‘you’ – it actually means, you. The power to change is available right now - to you!
Let's begin by putting unified minds, imaginations and hearts diligently to task by creating and collaborating in new #groupsof10. Consider the following ideas as a jumping-off point. Hopefully, they will trigger ideas of your own.
- My mother resides in an assisted-living facility in St. Paul. Since policy no longer allows visitors while also preventing residents from leaving, one of her caregivers came up with an idea that White Castle Hamburgers could be delivered. These little hamburgers/sliders or what we used to call gut-bombs, allowed her to look forward to a little bit of outside-the-routine excitement. In her case, the residents are buying their own. But consider this idea. The cost to feed 100 assisted-living elderly would be close to $300. (This doesn’t include an excellent tip for delivery to a locked door). Simply ponder the ramifications. 1) An at-risk population has a no-cost lunch from a community that cares and thinks about them during isolation. 2) The restaurant realizes a very nice order while being closed to dine-in patrons. 3) A tip is provided for an hourly worker. And 4), group participants feel incredible hope and accomplishment. For one person, the cost of this endeavor might be unmanageable - but NOT for ten.
- Maybe you are in a position where you’ve got a large family. All the kids are home now. You’re using vacation time or work-from-home accommodations to manage this situation. Or worse, you’ve been laid off as an hourly worker. But perhaps you know 9 other moms, or could find them, anyway. It’s been a while since Christmas and those ‘new’ toys that the kids have been playing with are no longer exciting. These little cherubs are - bored! Well, with the Group of 10 that you’ve created, you could each pick 10 toys (Or books) that seem to get little use. Bag them tight and keep them for 14 days or long enough that no virus remains threatening. Then, do an exchange. Each family would get 10 new toys to play with. Would that make things easier for a while? You could even wrap up these ‘gifts’ in colorful paper before bagging - make it a celebration!
- Perhaps you know of near-by elderly shut-ins. Maybe you have 9 friends, each aware of secluded venerable people. Many of these home-bodies are petrified. Reports point to this age group as more likely to succumb if contracting this virus. An example: I bought groceries the other day. The saddest thing witnessed was a woman of approximately 80 years old shopping by herself while gloved and wearing a mask. She looked exhausted. Perhaps your group of ten could make sure this woman and those like her are not unduly exposed in efforts to obtain food. But you need not stop there. You could help put the groceries away and even take her to a park if she is willing. Fresh air and good company can do wonders – for all of us.
There are probably hundreds of ways your group can make a difference. Maybe;
- A group to provide internet for a few months for school children trying to keep current with studies,
- A group to provide meals for out of school children supported by a community restaurant,
- A group to provide rides to medical appointments for shut-ins,
- A singing group that makes an evening round of neighborhoods - probably not carols this time of year though, but you get the idea. Custom-fit the arrangements for the audience,
- A group that is willing to contact nonprofit organizations asking the question, "What do you need?"
- Is there a group that can come up with a solution for the crisis in organ transplants?
- Don't stop - keep going . . .
If my words fall short, watch this video. The quality is poor, but even this adds to the impact. The night is imbued with darkness combined with a splash of hopelessness. But as one lonely voice begins to serenade his neighborhood, this overshadowed evening morphs from isolated futility to cohesive possibility.
In closing (yes, I hear the collective sigh), remember that there is no rule prohibiting the number of groups in which one can participate. I promise to let you know about my #groupsof10. If you decide to participate, please share your stories as well.
Finally, please consider spreading this message. Share the light of hope and connection with others who are able to commune in some inventive way with all those in lonely darkness.
As you create your groups, please consider this. At some point in time, we will be released from this virus and life will again return to some form of normalcy. Encourage your group to continue its mission post-pandemic as we use difficult times to become better neighbors.
Please consider these resources remembering this has just begun. Do not let a lack of social media activity prevent you from participating right now, today. Everyone walks before they run;
- Facebook Group
- Twitter handle @groupof10 (the new name for an outdated account)
- LinkedIn Group
- Use the hashtag #groupsof10
Your servant,
Mike
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Luke 11:33
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