“Fear is contagious. Fortunately, so is courage. Learning to become fearless will touch everyone around you, and best of all, you’ll find it’s a gift that keeps on giving.”  ― Michelle Aguilar, author

How are you this week?

Life has been turned upside down for all of us. Some of us are suffering the inconveniences of being trapped in our homes for the foreseeable future, while others are suffering the loss of their jobs and financial safety net, and still others have lost a loved one or may be ill themselves.

This crisis shows how connected we are, both in terms of a contagious disease running rampant across the globe and the way we respond to this tragedy. Our fear is certainly contagious, jumping from person to person every time we hear more bad news. But courage and compassion are also contagious when we hear stories of those who have persevered and reached out to help others.

The doctors and nurses who are on the front lines of the pandemic and who are so vulnerable are the real heroes. But let’s not forget the courage of those who are shopping for and delivering food to the sick and elderly, and those who continue to work in nursing homes in spite of the risk. Then there are those who continue to hold tight — perhaps from a distance — to those they love.

That’s something we can all do.

May we hold tight to the stories of courage, compassion and love, and spread those stories from person to person to person. Communicable courage. Pass it on!