Coronavirus and the Spirit of the Blitz.

[Jeff1943]

The world will survive the Coronavirus: human beings are remarkably resilient and adaptable, that's why we're the pre-eminent species.

It's been a kick in the rear for most people, but people will rebuild their lives and their businesses and will emerge the wiser from the free roller coaster ride, this is the way of the world. So do not fear the future, embrace the excitement and the challenge of change when finally we're let out from our bug proof shelters.

It was the same in World War Two when the bombers came nightly to London and other great cities, they did not destroy our morale. So was born 'The Spirit of the Blitz'. That same spirit is now emerging everywhere and you are not alone.

Panic attacks are a perfectly normal reaction of the mind and nervous system when subjected to too much worry. Do not fear them, they make us feel bad but cannot kill us, disable us or make us lose our minds. No death certificate has ever been written with 'Panic Attack' as the cause of death. So these things pass when we finally stop frightening ourself half to death. Something we all do before we acquire understanding and reassurance.

Do not seek to avoid panic attacks or any other symptoms, do not try to swerve or bypass them. To overcome them you must pass through panic. Let it come, bring it on, you are more than a match for it.

Worry about the pestilence and its effects on your life cause a surge of adrenaline every time you fear for the future. This fear hormone causes your nervous system to become over sensitive. This causes more worrying thoughts causing more adrenaline causing more sensitivity of your nervous system causing more fear: you have entered a vicious circle that is self perpetuating.

The remedy is simple. I said simple not easy. You should accept your symptoms as calmly and fearlessly as you can: you now know they are no threat to your physical well being. Accept them utterly, agree to co-exist with them for the time being. Just for now, not forever, God forbid that we should have to accept them forever. Frame your mind to accept what is no more than a blip in the functioning of your nervous system and carry on as normal.

So I say again: cultivate acceptance, you cannot both fear and accept something, choose acceptance. Acceptance is the weapon you have to overcome fear.

[autumnthebrat2]

Great words Jeff!

[Jeff1943 in reply to autumnthebrat2]

Thank you autumnthebrat2, I think you read this before the addition of the para on the Spirit of the Blitz so you may have wondered what those words were doing in the headline. Thank you again.

[Tinkynutbug]

Bravo

[1973m]

Thank you Jeff wise words as always ..

I don’t fear my attacks or symptoms.. but I fear my thoughts and battle them daily! Guilt , regret... how does one escape their own head ?

[Jeff1943 in reply to 1973m]

1973 Claire Weekes had something to say about guilt and regret:

"To let past guilt paralyse present action is destructive living. Let us recognise our guilt, make what reparation we can, but with quiet determination live on, philosophically laying some of the blame at the feet of our ancestors, some at the feet of those who trained or neglected to train us, and some at our own feet.

"But let us make amends by living from now on worthwhile, constructive lives. It would soon be an empty world if the guilty decided they could not live on because of their guilt. So always give yourself the benefit of another chance. You can never fall so far that you cannot rise again and become a fine person."

-"Self help for your nerves", by Dr Claire Weekes, Chapter 13.

[1973m in reply to Jeff1943]

I have her book right here Jeff .. I’ll revisit that chapter . At the time 17 years ago I was more concerned with my symptoms.. I hadn’t messed up my home and left my family then !!

Thank you for replying. 😊

[SpiritualT]

Fantastic post as always Jeff

[Pat9]

brilliant Jeff as always xx

[Weeniedoglady]

You have such a fantastic way with words. Do you write? If not you should consider it; I think you have a gift

Thank you for the uplifting message

[Jeff1943 in reply to Weeniedoglady]

Thank you Weeniedoglady. Yes I am a wordsmith, I earned my living for 40 years as an advertising writer and political propagandist. I also wrote a novel " Fragments of Tom". Writing and talking is the only things I seem to be any good at, I am useless at everything else and don't even mention do-it-yourself please😂

[1973m in reply to Jeff1943]

😊xx

[Sprinkle1]

Great post, I tell people this too shall pass, I think Jesus said words like that. I was born in 1942 during an air raid, in my grandmothers house in Grimsby England. I remember my Mother hustling us off into the bomb shelter, she was always calm, never frightened us. England was devastated by the war, we were on rationing for some things until 1955. But we rebuilt our country and became strong and productive again. I see this as a world war, and we Will come out the other side, as in any war there will be casualties. We can lick our wounds and pull together. Please anyone who reads this, do not panic, live in fear, or anything negative, give up guilt, and the past, the past is exactly that "the past" we cannot go back and change it, so bury it and carry on. I am cheerful and try to put a smile on a persons face if I can. But at 78 next month, I am staying home and entertaining myself, I have planted veg and herbs, I hope to be able to feed myself this summer, hopefully will have enough to give away. I read, exercise, cook, not much of a TV person but I try to find uplifting things when I do watch.

There is a good book I recommend, had mine for 30 years, Hope & Help 4 your nerves, by Dr.Claire Weeks, it is great for depression and anxiety. She has helped millions with that book. Amazon has it new/used...

Sending good health, love n hugs.....Sprinkle 1......

[Jeff1943 in reply to Sprinkle1]

We have much in common, Sprinkle1, I was born in London just a few months after you in the middle of one of the heaviest air raids. My father was on leave, he went and sat on the steps of the hospital so that if it was hit we would all go together. Greater love hath no man.

We are saddened by the way the pestilence has shortened so many lives but remember the words of the great American philosopher Norman Vincent Peale: "Every adversity brings with it the seed of a greater benefit." Hard to see what that is right now. Maybe cooped up within the four walls for so long people will take their stewardship of nature and the planet more seriously.

I remember the day sweet rationing ended in 1953, I spent all my pocket money on sweets on the way to school but then made the mistake of leaving them in my raincoat pocket hanging up in the communal cloakroom.

Claire Weekes has cured more people of anxiety and depression than Freud or Jung ever did with her mantra: Face. Accept. Float. Let time pass. Her first book is to hand whilst I write this now. My debt to her immeasurable.

I too till the soil and grow fresh veg in my garden, I have just planted my beetroot seed.

Thank you for your good wishes, kindred spirit.

[1973m in reply to Sprinkle1]

Love this book .. my bible.. take care

[Sprinkle1]

Hello it is nice to hear from you. My father was born on Tottenham Court Rd, a true Cockney!!! He signed up for the air force and was based at Scampton in Lincolnshire. I did not remember when the sweet rationing ended, but I did go and buy pear drops, and sherbet suckers, dolly mixtures and candy cigarettes!!!

Yes I hope once the world gets its balance back, we will treat her with the love and respect she deserves, people seem to forget, she is God's gift to us, I respect Mother Nature, she is the most powerful woman I know.

I am glad you have a garden, remember in the 50's if you did not have room for a garden, you could rent an allotment, I remember going there, tending the veg and pulling out weeds...it was fun...Norman Vincent Peale was a great teacher, I too think we will grow with this journey thru this virus, we will learn to be better people (I hope).

I do not have many seeds mostly old and no beets, I am going to go out this pm and hope I can get in the garden shop at ASDA (Walmart) and see if they have seeds, I doubt the other part will be open?

So on that note I will leave you, great to read your post, and to borrow your phrase, kindred Brit spirit. I have lived in the US over 50 years, but in my heart I will always be a "Limey", Brit....... Sent with love n hugs......