Fear During the Pandemic

From: J Birch Sent: Friday, May 1, 2020 8:07:30 PM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; dan@jpost.com <dan@jpost.com>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; media@sputniknews.com <media@sputniknews.com>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; jedmiston@nationalpost.com <jedmiston@nationalpost.com>; English@mail.gov.cn <English@mail.gov.cn>; edumitru@amnesty.ca <edumitru@amnesty.ca> Subject: Fear During The Pandemic (Opinion)

Hey Everyone, I was reading a story about how some areas are seeing a rise in crimes specifically targeted at Asian Communities, there have even been reports of vandalism. We are all in this together regardless of Gender, Orientation, political Ideology, birthplace, religion or color. We are one people no matter the distinction, I say this because each of us can love and the capacity for love is what makes you Human. This is an unprecedented time, a time where the future of all of us relies on the actions of all of us. We are facing a threat the likes of which we have not seen in recent memory, this threat affects all of us and we must therefore face it together. Especially now, we must look deep within and act from the brightest corners of the human heart, to look at our capacity for love, our humanity to guide us through. It is within each of us, that spark of community, of family, which binds all of us to one another in ways we have yet to understand. The actions we take form the basis of our collective future, a future where the bonds between us are left stronger in the face of such a collective adversity. I know that you are afraid and looking for something to focus on and some answer to justify what has occurred during this Pandemic. We do not know what the future might hold for us but together the path home lies ahead, it is together that we will emerge stronger from this. There are differences between us, but there is also the foundation of our collective future, the common ground between us, its the love we experience and the love we give. Love is not simply just being nice to others but it truly is the gift God has given us. Love is the foundation of life, not some comingling of chemicals but true love, which is sparked from the infinite love that surrounds us. The love between family, the love of community and the love of coupling. It is these moments of love that our humanity is expressed, these everyday miracles where one of us looks beyond the fear we are all feeling and decides to love despite that fear. There is courage in love, in deciding against the darker aspects of existence and finding commonality between you and me. Those moments are what we live for, the love of the composer that can be felt by the masses as the artists and musicians strike those chords. The love of families that see them through desperate times and tragedies. The love between lovers as they find new possibilities within a shared heartbeat, and even the love of everyday strangers. These moments are what make life worth living, despite the pain that life sometimes brings its the love that keeps us going, love endures. To everyone who reads this today in this time of fear and for any days that follow, I ask that you feel before you act. Feel the potential love of that situation and embrace it. Turn away from fear and stand together in love and community regardless of the differences between us. We are not so different, we live, we laugh and we love. Together that love can truly move mountains to shake the very foundations of who we are as a people. Love will not only save us but it will also help us fly. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2