The soul of America - revisited

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The past two weeks have been quite extraordinary and truly unprecedented. The last week, particularly, has been very disruptive to the typical American Way of Life.
The current limitations, restrictions, or recommendations on social interaction and public and private activities created by the spreading of the coronavirus requires each person to make certain personal sacrifices and take certain precautionary steps to avoid the spreading of the virus and the overtaxing of the health care systems throughout America.
We are each being asked to protect ourselves, assist in the slowing of the spread of the virus, decrease the rate at which people will need/seek access to a hospitals due to the virus, and ultimately slow the rate of infection. This can only be done by following the various recommended suggestions concerning personal interactions, social spacing, hand washing and sanitation, cleaning surfaces, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, and many other easy-to-follow personal hygiene and conduct practices.
In some cases, a “self-quarantine” is recommended if any symptoms are recognized or one is feeling poorly.
The mandated closure of certain businesses or “stay-at-home” directives have created a significant hardship on many businesses, their employees and their families, and the patrons seeking their goods and services. The request (and in some states and cities, the mandate) to curtail unnecessary trips away from home, and to work from home if at all possible is indeed a major personal sacrifice designed to meet a common good and improve the public’s general welfare.
The health care systems need to remain open and accessible to all in need, and must not be filled with virus-related patients, who require specialized services and equipment, and isolation. Improvement in the current situation can only happen with our willingness to make these short-term personal sacrifices to ensure that the spread of the virus is slowed by our taking the steps required, necessary and recommended.
With this current health and now economic crisis where certain investment asset values have plummeted and many are concerned about their financial future or job existence or maintenance, one might see more focus on what has been “lost” as opposed to what people actually “have.” At a time like this, we should try to be thankful for a loving spouse, a supportive family, friends, neighbors, and other associates, and the many other relationships which we enjoy and truly cherish.
We may find that we have placed so much importance on the “things” that we have or had, and now must do what our parents or grandparents did. Past generations knew that life was about commitment, dedication, duty, responsibility, personal sacrifice and service to one another. They were very focused on each person meeting their duties, responsibilities and obligations and recognizing that personal sacrifices are routinely made for the benefit of all, or the public good. In those decades past, retirement was not the focus of work as much as the belief that “work” was a duty, a vocation, a privilege and a responsibility to make this world a better place while one was able to do so. The generations before us were builders of businesses and communities who found “work” and “service” to be the most important goals of one’s life.
Today, many have planned to retire early and began to prepare financially to do so. This current financial and health situation will undoubtedly adjust/postpone the plans of many people, but could be an opportunity to further develop their relationships with family, neighbors and friends with more in-home meals, limited family gatherings and simple but personal conversations.
Family time has been the exception for many, but could become more of the real opportunity to reconnect children and parents, friends and neighbors, and extended family as well. The most valuable gift a person can give to another is their time and a receptive, attentive and interested ear. (With today’s technological devices/medium such as social media, email, texting, and cell calls, face-time, communications can be maintained much more easily even without face-to-face interaction.)
Maybe we are being reminded in a very subtle fashion, to return to our core beliefs upon which this great nation was founded “under God,” and “in God We Trust” and invite our Creator back into our lives each and every day.
Our country and its early generations taught us about personal responsibility and self-reliance. Our great “republic” form of democracy has stood the test and challenges of world wars, conflicts, hostages, attacks, and socialism, communism and many dictators and monarchs, not to mention health scares, viruses, and diseases. For a nation founded “Under God,” and one “In God We Trust,” it is very disappointing, to hear someone say: “Why has God abandoned us?”… Maybe what has actually occurred is that we have left out or removed God from our lives. We have excluded Him from public prayer in schools, at recreational and sporting events, on buildings and displays, and in meetings and all other venues in order that we can maintain some form of artificially determined and defined “separation” of church and state or political correctness.
Instead of tallying what we have all lost or cannot currently do, maybe we can appreciate what we really have and should do to make things/life better for everyone. We can also realize that we can refocus our lives on those whom we love and cherish and commit our remaining time to being of service to family, friends, and our employers, employees, customers, clients, patients, etc., and by making the personal sacrifices being requested in our personal conduct and habits.
The United States of America is the greatest nation on this planet. It will remain so if we hold firm to our beliefs that government can provide the fertile and free environment in which to act in an orderly and legal fashion and with honesty, ethics and morals as our guide.
Laws, regulations and rules are the guidelines for conduct expected to be followed by all, without exception. Our republic form of democracy will prevail if we return to the values and principles which are timeless and which recognize the value and respect of, and for, human life from conception to natural death.
Let us begin today to re-invite God back into our lives, in public and private and see how much better things will become.
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers all health care workers (doctors, nurses, aides, attendants, technicians, researchers, scientists, etc.), first responders, all law enforcement, our country’s military service members (at home and abroad), and our national, state, and local elected and appointed officials. Their extraordinary service is vital to the safe and healthy enjoyment of our lives in peace.
Lord God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) – I trust in You!
J.H. Campbell, Jr.
jcampbell@campbellccs.com