You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day
Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky…
Lovers, they may cause you tears Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don’t be ashamed to cry… Sung by Des’ree – “You Gotta Be” – 1994
Two weeks ago, a video was posted on Twitter featuring elementary school children singing “You Gotta Be” by British singer Des’ree. I can’t get the lyrics out of my mind because they lift my spirits.
This song suggests strategies for coping with the chaos and fear surrounding us. The song encourages us to develop an attitude of resilience – to meet a challenge.
Another strategy for coping with this situation is relying on baking, cooking, relaxing & nesting capabilities. As I talk with clients, family & friends I hear that many of us are
reaching back to the basic, simple pleasures of life. People are communicating more, using up-to-date technology to video chat, to laugh and in other words, support each other. We are baking, cooking and eating – with pleasure. There is a lot of time to fill.
Of course, essential workers are on the front line, providing health care at hospitals and clinics. There is little rest for them, our heroes. There are other heroes – within our communities – who live paycheck to paycheck – now without one; these families are afraid of losing the roof over their head, and the food on their table.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York reports on his collaboration with a number of companies to provide housing for essential workers. I quote from his email:
“Private sector companies will provide free housing for frontline medical workers. Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky will contribute $2 million to help provide rooms in union hotels at no cost to frontline workers. As part of this effort, the union 1199SEIU is partnering with Airbnb to offer housing to its members, including healthcare workers, as they fight COVID-19. Additionally, the InterContinental Times Square, Yotel and the Hudson Hotel are providing an additional 800 free rooms for healthcare workers coming to New York City from out of state, in collaboration with the Hotel Association of New York City, MetLife and the Related Companies.”
This is but one example of Gov. Cuomo’s leadership during this pandemic. Here, he successfully coordinates with the corporate sector to provide support for essential workers who toil at risk to their health. I believe I can speak for many New Yorkers who feel safer as a result.
Des’ree sings: “…love will save the day.” I’ve been writing about love and compassion for 6 years and I can say that Cuomo’s actions amount to a demonstration of love.
There have been many reports of small acts of kindness/love demonstrated during this pandemic. Do you have any story that you wish to share? I would like to hear from you. Write me at: [email protected].
Let’s be cool & calm together…
Peace & Love
Linda
@LMarsanico
