Fear of the unknown during Covid 19.

This has been the most consistent topic these days when the covid19 is at forthfront.

We are more afraid of what we don't know than what we already know, though what we know is pretty bad. I want to go over some of the things we know and some of the unknowns that come with it.

We know there is a virus lurking globally. 1- It feels like there is no safe place.

We know that some people die from it. 2- Will I die or will someone I love die?

We know the steps we've been given to protect ourselves and others. 3- Am I doing it right? Am I doing enough?

We know the economy has been put on pause. 4- Will I be able to support myself and/or my family? Will I be able to recover when this is all over?

We know the length of the recovery is only an estimate. 5- How long will this last?

These are some of the common questions many of us worry about. What I want you to consider is a regular day prior to the virus. On any given day we are surrounded by unknowns. We wake up to do our job and in the most common day there are surprises that we deal with as they come, some good, some not so good. If we were to wake up each day wondering what we don't know our lives could be catastrophic. I couldn't deal with it because even if I did everything right we are so dependent on each other, we would be paralyzed with fear. Is the person driving next to me going to hit me? Is the person at the red light going to stop? Is my job going to run smoothly today, Will I or someone I love get sick? Will I lose my job? Will my partner love me? Will my kid make smart choices? Would there be a war? a hurricane a tornado? I can go on and on and I as I am now my heart begins to raise and fear of uncertainty begins to grow. We can't do this! If you get nothing else please understand that fear is like a virus that needs you to grow and flourish. It alone cannot survive. Our thought emotions and behaviors gives it light and nourishment, the same way it can eliminate it. So you have the power, you are in control.

But how? Well here it goes:

For me everything starts with a choice. A choice I have of how I want to feel. This choice does not require much information, approval, determination, spirituality, support or knowledge. To make this choice you need not to ask any questions, this is the first step of empowerment. Make a choice right now. I choose not to let fear have a voice in my life. I will talk more in depth about fears in another blog, but for now it is just about making that choice.

Sit with that choice for a while without questioning it or analysing it, just take it in. Breath, walk move or sit still, whatever you must do to really take it in; if this is the first time you are doing it, it may feel uncomfortable. I want you to take it in until it feels as natural as it feels to see the moon coming out at night, don't question it, even when you don't see it.

Second let's deal with what was causing you fear, in this case the coronavirus. Lets deal with the facts only.

By facts, it is imperative that you rely on the most apt sources. CDC, World of Health Organization etc. No chain messages, facebook posting, TV or Internet from unverifiable places. For the Covid19 situations the facts are, it is a highly contagious virus affecting the whole world that in some cases can lead to death, but that in most cases it won't. Far more people with the virus will survive and become immune than will die. So if you or your loved one gets it your likelihood of dying so far with the reported numbers we have, the chance of dying is 5.55% as of today. Of course this can change, but consider this too, this statistic is based on the reported infected people, more people than we know could be infected, which means the percentage of dying is even lower considering that it is easier to report a death than to count the infected people. There is a bit of math there, but it is not complicated.

So why do we focus on the small percentage of death in comparison to large percentage of survivors? Because every life matters, specially if it is someone we love, so yes it is imperative that a cure or treatment is found. It is the most transmissible virus to date, so social distancing and extreme hygiene is so far the best guarantee and what will most rapidly lead us to pandemic elimination. Now more than ever we have the opportunity to see how our choices can make a better place, not just for ourselves, but for others. We are all part of a solution and what a gift this is. You will go down in history as one of the heros who protected humanity by not giving room to the virus or by healing yourself if you caught it.

Don't underestimate the power you have always have on the world. This event is only showing us what was always there. Our actions toward ourselves and others is how growth, evolution, health and happiness develops. It is about making the right choices, and the best way to know we are making the right choices is because it is not only beneficial to you but also it is not harmful to others. Keep that in mind for everything. You don't have to be perfect, but you have to be conscious, in this case following the regulations.

We know they are rapidly working on a cure with some positive results. We know far more dangerous viruses have been eradicated or a cure has been found or a treatment has been successfully put in place. This will no be an exception. As long as we all do our part.

In that sense I hope you understand the virus will not likely kill but you still have to be responsible with your care. You know a cure is on the way and most importantly you know that if you take care of your health your own body and of others around you we will all be safer.

What about my finances? We are in a blessed country, no one here should go hungry. There are food pantries working, do research on your local county. There are financial resources if you lost your job. Look for government help. Take this time you now have to learn about finances with facts. If this is what's keeping you up I want you to first write down your necessary expenses like food, water and shelter and call all the institutions which now have agreed on giving us a break. If you can pay them do it, if not make arrangements. Your other expenses like credit cards call them and put them on hold if you are worried about your credit. Get the facts in places like Experian for more information. The loss of finances is a risk even in the bests of times so we actually now have more help than ever to work with lenders.

Remember that finances can be recovered. Take advantage of this time to educate yourself in finances recovery and planning.

How long will this last? We don't know for sure and you have to be ok with this, with or without a virus none of us know how long we will be here, but we do know that each day we have we get to make a difference, we get to make choices, we get to build new dreams and plan for them so when opportunity comes and it will comes, we are ready.

Uncertainty is a part of life that can only be dealt with confidence. Be confident in what you do know, and in the power that you have to say no to fear and yes to solutions.

When all of this passes you will look back at the time you had to be with yourself, with limited interactions, with limited resources, but with your God given power to make the right choices and know on a virus free day that everything you needed was within you already and not crowded with useless fear.