Keeping Our Center ~ Day 58

This time of quarantining, or staying at home, puts a whole new perspective on Anne Frank and her family who spent 761 days in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam during World War II. 761 days! Can you imagine? No sunshine on your face (except maybe through a window), no fresh air, no loud noise, no new people, no shopping, no work for over two years. And here we’re complaining about a few months of self-isolating, even though we can still do most of the things they couldn’t.

With everything going on around them and the stress of danger upon them every day, it certainly could not have been easy. Anne wondered at why the adults slept so much and bickered so much… I imagine depression, fear, anger, uncertainty, sadness, loneliness and boredom had much to do with it all.

Still, Anne wrote many things that showed she retained a sense of hope and courage despite it all. Despite everything, she believed in the basic goodness of people, actively looked for beauty and let it lift her up, held on to her ideals and her humor, and knew that kindness and a gentle spirit were her strongest allies.

Anne wrote, “I feel the suffering of millions, but when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that this cruelty too shall end and peace and tranquility will return once more.”

We know there is suffering around the world today because of this virus, but may the small moments of hope give us courage and strength to keep living with generosity, compassion, kindness and gentleness.

Love & Light!

Kaye