While so many people have been laid off, furloughed or working from home, I couldn’t help but think how men and woman in uniform are going to work. They are answering calls as if nothing has changed.
The circumstances of our new life provide unique opportunities for growing into the people we should be.
What is happening is a reminder that we are finite people. No longer does the world of sports, social media or anything from Hollywood seem important. What ought to be our real priorities, families and neighbors, are becoming paramount, even if we’re not sure exactly what to do.
Let’s leave aside questions of whether COVID-19 is a bad health crisis, and whether our politicians are responding or capitalizing on it for political gain.
How we respond to this crisis is in our power, and that is what makes a difference for us and those in our circles of influence. Through my good responses I use the gift of this opportunity to become the person I ought to be; this is my part for the greater good and for myself.
The Silver Linings:
I am seeing silver linings in this bizarre world. With restaurants, bars, movie theaters, gyms, and most everything else closed, I wrote down a list of ideas I have seen or done to do with your family. First, start taking care of yourself better, at least as good as you care for your pet(s).
You are no good to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself.
Here are some ideas:
-Get enough sleep.
-Drink more water.
-Eat healthier today so you will feel better tomorrow.
-Be more aware of your spouse’s needs
-Enjoy the incredible blessing of being around your children.
-Serve others in need, a family member, a neighbor, etc.
-Clean your house, your garage, your car.
-Start a garden
-Plant a tree
-Build something you’ve always wanted.
-Appreciate the small things in life more.
-Notice the beauty in slowing your life down.
-Go for a walk with your family.
-Focus on what’s in front of you.
-Do something behind the scenes to make your spouse’s life easier.
-Send a note to someone you haven’t talked to.
-Have a picnic with your family in the backyard.
-Be serious about minimizing distractions.
-Silence your phone for a part of your day.
-Do some yard work that you’ve been putting off.
-Clean out junk drawers in your house.
-Clean your garage of “stuff” you never use.
-Stop doing things that make you sluggish.
-Have that conversation with your children that you’ve put off.
-Enjoy this opportunity to do things with your family.
-Have a meal delivered to a friend going through a stressful time.
-Check on a neighbor that lives alone.
Don’t forget the oath we took about service to others! Focus on helping, not hunting at work. Go out of your way to help someone daily.
Check on the elderly people you know on your beat. Mark Reinecke, a psychologist and clinical director at the Child Mind Institute in San Mateo, agrees that “optimism, hope and tenacity” are necessary for getting through any challenge, however dire.
Reinecke went on to say:
“By forcing us into our homes, this pandemic has made our worlds small. We’re pressed into reconnecting in a more intimate, thoughtful manner. We’re pressed to enjoy simple experiences and activities.”
Above all, this experience can teach all of us children a valuable life skill: resilience.
Let us be mindful of the countless people who are also serving: the doctors, nurses, 911 call takers, dispatchers, garbage men, grocery store employees, truck drivers, coffee shop employees, those we often take for granted.
Let us be grateful that during this time we can serve others and get paid for it.
That is the gift our job gives to us.
While we at Law Enforcement Today generally don’t care about what Hollywood has to say anyway, we recently reported on an example of how a star uses his fame for good.
Things are alright, alright in Austin and New Orleans after Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila delivered 80,000 masks to first responders.
McConaughey, a native of Texas, has built a career around his quintessential southern charm. He has been well known for giving back to the region and the COVID-19 pandemic has been no exception.
Travis County Sheriff’s Office demonstrated their gratitude for the hundreds of masks that the couple, along with the friends Bill and Tracey Marshall, contributed.
The department advised that the masks will not only be used by their deputies but also corrections officers and inmates. Masks were also delivered to an Austin fire department as well as first responders in Louisiana, KEYE reports.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Camila Alves McConaughey (@camilamcconaughey) on
Camila McConaughey took to social media explaining the couple’s motivation. She wrote:
“Our mission is to protect those who protect us, by providing healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, and others with approximately 80,000 masks needed to battle the #COVID19 virus…
We are passionate about helping first responders from our hometown Austin – Texas, Louisiana and nationwide as we combat this national pandemic. #thisisacrisis”
Matthew McConaughey is also lifting spirits and sharing information for fans around the country. The actor released on Instagram an over the top western spoof in which character Bounty Hunter Bobby Bandito teaches viewers to make masks out of just a bandana, coffee filter and rubber bands.
He says “You can call me Bobby B… it’s high time to catch this killer, ’cause we got more livin’ to do.” He concludes the video by reminding viewers to stay home as much as possible but also to challenge them to make their own “badass bandit bandannas.”
McConaughey and his family including his mother Kay, wife Camil and their three children also used social media this week to connect with senior citizens.
The family used video conferencing to play a lively round of bingo with the residents at The Enclave at Round Rock Senior Living facility, USA Today’s Johanna Gretschel reports.
The home sent their thanks to the McConaughey family over social media saying “ Our residents has a great time playing, and they loved talking with Matthew about his family heritage and his favorite drink.”
The McConaughey couple is well known for their dedication to philanthropic causes. According to Variety, McConaughey founded just keep livin Foundation in 2008. The organization is focused on helping inner city youth find positive direction.
More than 10,000 at-risk high school kids have been helped by the organization. They are given support through community service, exercise, team work, nutrition and gratitude in areas where more than 75% of the community lives below the poverty level. This is primarily in cities such as New Orleans, Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.
McConaughey says of the program:
“We want to give them hope, a reason to get out of bed in the morning. They’ve got somewhere to go.”
Overwhelmingly positive results show the effectiveness of the organization with more than 96% of students demonstrating improved attendance and 99% earning higher grades. However, the program reinforces the need to give back.
McConaughey says:
“We’re saying ‘you’re accountable, let’s get you out into the community and start giving back.’”
No doubt the organization embodies the very same values that McConaughey lives his own life by.
Law Enforcement Today is thankful to Matthew McConaughey and family for the donation specifically to first responders. We always appreciate having someone with a voice in our favor.
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