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· Lifestyle · 3 min read

Fluctuat Nec Mergitur

Goodness is not goodness that seeks advantage. Good is good in the final hour, in the deepest pit, without hope, without witness, without reward. Virtue is only virtue in extremis 1

I can’t predict when this crisis will end. I hope it’s soon, though I fear it’s not.

What I can predict is that this crisis will show people for who they really are. Crises reveal the best but also the worst in us. There will be those that help and those that harm. Those that keep their word and those that break it. Those that make their reputation and those that disgrace it.

Choose which group you want to be. Choose wisely.

The city of Paris has a motto, Fluctuat nec mergitur, meaning “tossed by the waves, but does not sink”. I’d like to believe this applies to all of us. We’re in for a rocky time, but will weather this storm as we always have, by helping each other.

I have no doubt that we will pull through this. Bruised but not broken, we’ll recover having reassessed who and what matters most. And one day we’ll be telling stories of how we survived by coming together as a community 2.

I also have no doubt that these will sound like hollow platitudes if you’ve been personally affected by the crisis. In my biggest failures, I heard them all - time heals all wounds, failure is one step to success, losing opens up new opportunities. I instinctively knew them to be true, but honestly didn’t give a shit then.

And that’s ok. It’s ok to be feeling what you’re feeling now. Frightened. Enraged. Lost.

But know that those feelings will fade, and you’re better than your temporary temperaments. For man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated. And when you’re ready, there are people standing by to help.

If you do need help, there are some resources in the “Other” section below that might be worth checking out.

And if you’re fortunate enough to be able to help, the “Other” section also highlights ways to do so. It’s ok if you’re not in a position to help right now; “secure your oxygen mask” first.

In these trying times, we’ll be tossed by waves of fear and hopelessness, but will not sink to despair. If we all help rather than harm, we can get through this. Reach out, even if it’s just to one person. You can make a larger difference than you think.

If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain 3

Footnotes

  1. Doctor Who ↩

  2. I was going to write about the trend of niche irl communities that have been gaining popularity this month such as Not Boring Club, Inter Intellect, Get Real etc. Given the situation though I’ll reserve that for later. ↩

  3. Emily Dickinson ↩

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