Keep the Fire

News flash: It’s been a weird week.

Like many of you, I’ve been reading. Watching. Wondering. Occasionally catastrophizing (if that’s a word). Oscillating between hope and sadness.

The other day, we watched “The Road,” the adaptation from Cormack McCarthy’s book of the same name. [Note: If you’re shaking your head right now, just know that “Outbreak” is #6 on Netflix’s trending list, so I’m not alone.] If you haven’t seen it, proceed with caution. In the movie, a father and son navigate a post-apocalyptic world, heading south on the east coast of the United States in search of life. Amidst many moral dilemmas, the main character’s son keeps asking his father the following:

“Are we the good guys? Are we keeping the fire?” Good becomes gray on their journey.

We are in a strange place, to be sure. Despite knowing that, it’s interesting to observe that every emotion we’re feeling right now has already been felt and will be felt again. It is in these moments and these emotions that we, too, will be the good guys. That we’ll keep the fire.

I’m looking for it, and I see the Light Bringers everywhere. There’s a college student on mandatory break who is using her time locally to deliver supplies to the elderly. I see people relinquishing some of their rolls of “white gold” to their neighbors. I see utility companies suspending payments. I see small local businesses offering online and delivery options (and paining over sending some of their employees home). I see people lovingly supporting their decisions to close with financial support. I see social media and technology being used for good, with groups created to help those less fortunate in my local community. 

I say all of this with both a heavy and hopeful heart. We, collectively, feel empowered when we take action. While the satisfaction of buying another damn pack of toilet paper is short-term, taking kind action towards another feels GOOD. In times of fear, it feels nourishing. It is taking positive, right action within an individual’s span of control. In a situation where much of our control rests in how we respond, it is in these small actions that we throw lifelines to others, and in turn, ourselves.

We, collectively, are resourceful, creative human beings. Thus, I’m leaving this week’s post with a hope of crowdsourcing ideas. Please, in the comments below, list one thing you’re doing as an act of virtual kindness to another. This is not a humblebrag thing; this is a way for us to share the good. There is no “small” or “large” here, so don’t be shy—it all MATTERS. If you’ve seen someone step up, tell us about it below. If you have a creative idea, list it. Share this with reckless abandon, and share the love.

We are the good guys. We are keeping the fire.