We’re in week three of quarantine.
Kids have been home schooling.
Parents have been teleworking.
We’ve all cooked—I don’t know—like 893 different meals, not to mention all the cookies, pies, and bread I’ve been making.
A friend of mine joked today that the memes are winning the pandemic.
Anybody else feel like you don’t know what you’re doing anymore?
We are doing what we can to survive.
But humans want to do more than simply survive. We want to thrive.
“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.”
I used to think that when Darwin was talking about survival of the fittest, he was talking about something akin to the notion of “every man for himself.” Me first. You snooze you lose. Winner takes all.
But that’s not how true survival works.
Survival of the fittest does not follow the rules of modern game theory, which posits that the rational answer or choice is always the one that’s best for me.
What’s best for me may not be what’s best for us.
In 1871, Charles Darwin published The Descent of Man. In this 873 page tome, Darwin writes only twice of “survival of the fittest,” but 95 times of love.
He writes of selfishness 12 times, but 92 times of moral sensitivity.
Of competition 9 times, but 24 times of mutuality and mutual aid. (Source)
Darwin and Jesus had this in common: They both understood that society functions best when its participants love one another.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Please continue to practice safe social distancing.
Please continue to honor doctors, essential business personnel, and your kids’ teachers. "
Please continue to wash your hands and sanitize everything you touch.
We may yet have weeks or months of some type of quarantine ahead of us.
Our survival, our ability to thrive, and even our sanity depends on how we choose to honor one another.
Want more good stuff?
I’d love to know how you’re thriving in these trying times. I love hearing from you, and I read every single comment and reply.