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Channel Islands Aviation is located in the Camarillo Airport in Camarillo, California. The mainland visitor centers and park concessionaire offices are all accessbile via public transportation. Private boaters may land on all five islands within the park throughout the year. Revered for its endemic plants and plentiful wildlife, the “Galapagos of North America” has no lodgings, stores, or restaurants—only a wild coastal landscape and come-hither scenery. While the LA airport is convenient for most travelers since thousands of flights go in and out of it daily, the Santa Barbara airport is closest to the park. 1691 Spinnaker Dr. Channel Islands National Park is comprised of 5 islands off the Southern California coast, all offering different views, landscapes and opportunities for adventurous families. At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Las Posas. Landing Conditions: Visitors must climb from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a pier at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Parking is free. However, since the park encompasses five islands and their surrounding one mile of the ocean, the decision of where to … Frequency of Trips: Flights are year round on demand. Take a left at the next signal light, which is Harbor Way. Allow a full day to visit one island. However, you can take the train to Ventura Amtrak, take the drive to Ventura Harbor, take the ferry to Santa Cruz Island, then take the travel to Channel Islands National Park. The information posted here will help you get started on your career with the National Park Service. Boat trips run April through early November, 2-4 days per week. Choose the best airline for you by reading reviews and viewing hundreds of ticket rates for flights going to and from your destination. Travel Time from Ventura and Oxnard Harbors: 1 hour If you’re coming from further away, fly into Los Angeles International Airport or Santa Barbara Airport. All areas must be accessed by foot, private boat, or kayak. For more information on biking on the mainland visit Ventura County Bike Information and Santa Barbara County Bike Information. Santa Barbara Island No restaurants. Rome2rio makes travelling from Ventura to Channel Islands National Park easy. Although there are no park fees, getting there is expensive -- anywhere from $56 to $160 per person, the higher price being for a trip by air to Santa Rosa. Private boaters may land on all five islands within the park throughout the year. Parking is free. Boat trips are 4 hours. More. Find all the transport options for your trip from Ventura to Channel Islands National Park … islandpackers.com Book Cheap Flights to Channel Islands National Park: Search and compare airfares on Tripadvisor to find the best flights for your trip to Channel Islands National Park. City pay parking is immediately on your left or right. At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria and continue to Channel Islands Boulevard . Bicycles are NOT allowed on the islands. There are several ways to get to Channel Islands National Park in California. For information on driving directions to mainland locations visit: For public transportation to mainland locations, visit Public Transportation. At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard and follow it approximately 8 miles to Channel Islands Harbor. The Best Time to Visit Channel Islands National Park. While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats and planes or private boat. At the end of the freeway exit, turn right onto Castillo. Free parking is avaliable at the beach parking lot. Oxnard is located 65 miles north of Los Angeles and 35 miles south of Santa Barbara. Operator: Island Packers Boat trips are 3 hours. Click here for driving directions to Channel Islands Aviation. Traveling to Channel Islands National Park Located approximately 29 miles away from Santa Barbara, California on the mainland, you will find Channel Islands National Park, a collection of 5 jaw-dropping islands. Follow Castillo until it comes to an end. Directions to the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park1901 Spinnaker DriveVentura, CA 93001(805) 658-5730. In fact, it is less than 30 miles off the coast of California and near literally millions of people. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Los Angeles to Channel Islands National Park via East Ventura station, Ventura Harbor, and Santa Cruz Island in around 4h 49m. Camarillo, CA 93010 Visit YouTube for an island flight overview. Getting to Channel Islands National Park The Channel Islands are about 70 miles north of Los Angeles near Ventura. When Castillo ends, turn right onto Cabrillo Blvd. Only train, bus, and private car transportation are available from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to Ventura. No hotels. The islands are open and accessible year round but it is important to check for closure updates on the Channel Islands National Park website before planning your trip. Once ashore, visitors must climb 157 stairs to the top of the island. Get information on Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. How to Get to the Channel Islands Channel Islands National Park visitor centers can be found in Ventura and Santa Barbara, where visitors can get acquainted with the islands. Anacapa Island is the smallest island, but still offers camping and gentle hiking trails … Directions to Channel Islands Aviation305 Durley Avenue Step 1: Look for any advisories on the National Park Service official website for the Channel Islands. Once ashore, visitors must walk uphill 1/4 mile with 131 long steps to the top of the island. Step 2: Research which Island you would like to visit. Island Packers also has a satellite office in the Channel Islands Harbor at 3600 S. Harbor Boulevard in Oxnard, California. www.flycia.com. Known as “The Galapagos of North America,” Channel Islands National Park is home to nearly 150 endemic species that can only be found on and below its five eyegasmic islands… Santa Rosa Island Turn right on Channel Islands Boulevard and continue over a large bridge to Harbor Boulevard . How to Get to Channel Islands National Park The only authorized ferry service is operated by Island Packers Cruises. Whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions can be viewed year-round in the Santa Barbara Channel travelling to/from the islands. Turn left on Harbor Boulevard and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left. Directions to the Outdoor Santa Barbara Visitor Center113 Harbor Way 4th FloorSanta Barbara, CA 93109(805) 884-1475. There is no fee to enter Channel Islands National Park. Alternatively, you could also call the visitor center and ask them at (805) 658-5730. While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats (Island Packers) and planes (Channel Islands Aviation) or private boat. Most people depart for the islands from Ventura or Oxnard, both of which are an hour and a half north of Los Angeles. For more job information at Channel Islands National Park, please contact the park's personnel officer by phone at (805) 658-5730 or by email at Personnel Officer. When the pier is closed, landings are via skiff onto the beach. Trips are available from $1,200 plus tax, please call or email us to book your adventure! For departures out of Ventura and Channel Islands (Oxnard) Harbors contact: Island Packers Frequency of Trips: Spring through Fall, variable schedule 2-4 days per month. Boat trips run April through early November, 4-8 days per month. Ventura, CA 93001 Turn left and park in parking lot for free. Visitors must climb from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a dock. Comprised of five ecologically rich uninhabited islands—Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara—the park is only a hop, skip and a jump from the Southern California mainland, yet feels … ), it remains as being one of the lesser visited National Parks in the United States, ranking at #43 out of 60 parks in attendance. Non-landing trips are available. General Public Island Transportation Schedule, Please refer to the concessionaire's transportation schedule for more detailed information: flycia.com and islandpackers.com. Public Airplane Transportation When the piers are closed, landings are via skiff onto the beach. Ventura, CA 93001 Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Turn right at our sign. Visit our keyboard shortcuts docs for details. Turn right on Channel Islands Boulevard and continue over a large bridge to Harbor Boulevard. Travel Time from Ventura Harbor: 3 hour To get to the Channel Islands by boat, Island Packers is the official Channel Islands National Park concessionaires, providing regular boat service, both one-day trips, and longer excursions. All federal land passes can be obtained or purchased at parks that charge an entrance fee. Non-landing trips are available. The visitor center is located in the Ventura Harbor in Ventura, California. The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Landing Conditions: Visitors must climb a steel-rung ladder to the top of the pier from a skiff. Turn left and park in parking lot for free. Click here for driving directions to Island Packers. Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. For maps visit Maps. All aircraft must maintain a minimum 1000-foot altitude above land and sea surfaces within the park. Channel Islands is remote--there is no question. Flights are extremely expensive, and most of us don’t have a private boat, so the best option is to book a trip with Island Packers. Camarillo is located 86 miles north of Los Angeles and 14 miles south of Ventura. More... Year round, variable schedule 3-7 days per week. Y… Operator: Island Packers Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Turn right at our sign. Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive and follow to the "Island Tours/Island Packers" sign on your right just past the Ventura Harbor Village shopping area. To help you plan the perfect trip the Channel Islands National Park, here's what you need to know: Here's a quick look at entrance information: The park is open 24 hours a day. Turn right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive. Channel Islands National Park provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities and a delightful break from the congestion and clamor of urban life. Public boat transportation is available year-round by the park concessionaire Island Packers. It is on the south side of the large gray building. To visit one of the five islands, you'll have to take a boat or plane. Located off the coast of Southern California, Channel Islands National Park is an untouched, pristine group of islands that offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor exploration on just a simple day trip. Certain islands can close without warning for a number of reasons, and this would be on the main page. Boat visitors are skiffed onto the beachâbe prepared to waterproof gear and possibly to get wet. Camarillo, CA 93010 All areas must be accessed on foot or by private boat or kayak. Take a left at the next signal light which is Castillo Street. The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Advanced planning is highly recommended. However, if you consider only the people At the end of the freeway exit, turn right on Las Posas. Santa Barbara is located 100 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles north of Ventura. Travel Time from Ventura Harbor: 1 hour When on one of the islands, you feel far from civilization. Private Boat Transportation There is no entrance fee. Operator: Island Packers and Channel Islands Aviation Once ashore, visitors must walk uphill 1/4 mile with 131 long steps to the top of the island. www.islandpackers.com. Advanced planning is highly recommended. To get to the Channel Islands, you can take an Island Packers boat, book a flight with Channel Islands Aviation, or use a private boat. Parking is free. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. Frequency of Trips: Flights are year round on demand. (805) 642-1393 There is no transportation available on the islands. At the end of the freeway exit, turn left onto Harbor Boulevard, then proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive. Even though Channel Islands National Park is just about 30 miles away from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area (with an estimated 17+ million people! Across from the parking lot is the office. Strong winds and rough seas are possible. When the piers are closed, landings are via skiff onto the beach. 305 Durley Avenue There is no direct connection from Newport Beach to Channel Islands National Park. Please do not park in the 20 minute zones. Till this day we fly the National Park, The Nature Conservancy and NOAA as well as the public to the Channel Islands National Park aboard our Britten-Norman Islander. However, Channel Islands National Park is not very difficult to get to despite its isolation. The Channel Islands National Park is the California Central Coast’s back yard with a total of eight islands, four of which border Ventura and Santa Barbara: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel. However, FAA regulations state that pilots are requested to maintain a minimum of 2,000 feet above ground level over national park. A trip to Channel Islands National Park requires an entire weekend (and sometimes that’s not even enough) in order to enjoy all that this unique park has to offer. The visitor center is located in the Santa Barbara Harbor in Santa Barbara, California. Anacapa Island More recently, in May 2016, San Miguel Island reopened to the public. Landing Conditions: Flights land on a dirt airstrip. Visitors must climb from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a pier at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. But the only way to reach the park itself is via plane or boat. Flights depart from Camarillo airport. There is NO transportation available on the islands. On a trial basis, flights are available to San Miguel Island as well. The islands are Anacapa, Santa … Travel Time from Camarillo Airport and Ventura Harbor: Flights are 40 minutes. However, you can take the taxi to Santa Ana Amtrak Station, take the train to Ventura Amtrak, take the drive to Ventura Harbor, take the ferry to Santa Cruz Island, then take the travel to Channel Islands National Park. For departures contact: Channel Islands Aviation Take a left at the next signal light which is Gutierrez. Visitors must climb a steel-rung ladder to the top of the pier from a skiff. The federal lands passes, including versions for seniors, active military, and the disabled, cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal lands. Getting There in Channel Islands National Park Most people travel to the islands by boat from Ventura. There are also 90 minute free parking spots in the harbor parking lot. Turn left onto Durley Avenue. Frequency of Trips: Year round, variable schedule 5-7 days per week Private Airplane Transportation Frequency of Trips: Year round, variable schedule 3-7 days per week (805) 987-1301 They offer Channel Islands tours to each of the five islands in addition to various wildlife cruises and special trips, including bird-watching cruises. So if you want to brush up before your hike -- or just get your national parks passport stamped -- head to the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, located on the mainland in Ventura. (805) 987-1301 At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria. In addition, Island Packers offers whale watching trips. At the end of the freeway exit, turn left on Victoria and continue to Channel Islands Boulevard. Directions to Island Packers1691 Spinnaker Dr. Free parking is available at the beach parking lot. Landing Conditions: Flights land on a dirt airstrip. Travel Time from Camarillo Airport and Ventura Harbor: Flights are 25 minutes. Channel Islands National Park Bookstore There’s a lot to learn about this unique stretch of islands. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. For information on transportation to the islands visit Island Transportation. Public airplane transportation is available year-round to Santa Rosa Island by park concessionaire Channel Islands Aviation. (805) 642-1393 Please do not park in the 20 minute zones. Channel Islands National Park, which consists of five of the eight islands found along the coast of Southern California, is known for its unique plants and wildlife. The main office for Island Packers is located in the Ventura Harbor. Landing Conditions: Visitors must climb from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a dock. The weather on Channel Islands National Park is … There is no transportation available on the islands. Santa Cruz Island Channel Islands National Park is located off the coast of Southern California. Operator: Island Packers and Channel Islands Aviation Advanced planning is highly recommended. Turn left on Harbor Boulevard and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left. San Miguel Island Public Boat Transportation There are no services on the islands. Once ashore, visitors must climb 157 stairs to the top of the island. One of California’s nine national parks, the Channel Islands is a shining and distinctive example of California’s coastal landscapes and wildlife. Private aircraft may not land within park boundaries. While the mainland visitor centers in Ventura and Santa Barbara are readily accessible by car or public transportation, the islands are only accessible by park concessionaire boats (Island Packers) and planes (Channel Islands Aviation) or private boat. The Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at, Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District. Operator: Island Packers Turn right onto Spinnaker Drive and follow to the "Island Tours/Island Packers" sign on your right just past the Ventura Harbor Village shopping area. Boat visitors must climb from the boat up a steel-rung ladder to a pier at Bechers Bay. For example, at time of writing, Santa Barbara and San Miguel islands are both closed. They offer a variety of tour options, detailed below. Here are some of the best things to do to get the most out of your visit to the Channel Islands, whether you have one day, or multiple, to spare! Location: Ventura Turn right at our sign. www.flycia.com Stay to the right where there is a fork in the road and continue until you see the "Marine Emporium" sign on your left. These five islands off the Southern California coast comprise one of America’s most undeveloped—and utterly magical—national parks. And islandpackers.com 131 long steps to the top of the large gray building in Channel Islands Boulevard north Los. 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Can this blessed ‘Corona’ situation possibly have an upside?

As a Life Coach, Steve feels a strong urge to help people not only to cope with this spell of uncertainty, but “hopefully to emerge from it stronger than we were before this crisis started; when, unfortunately, we took so much for granted. Like many similar global calamities before it, including world wars and pandemics, this virus-spread will change the world because mankind will make new discoveries and adapt new practices,” he tells me.

To make his points clearly, he starts by expressing a few basic – important – presuppositions, or concepts, about Life. Anyone who has ever attended his workshops, or talks, or even follows him on Facebook may find these familiar, even if somewhat controversial.

Why change? I ask. Change, he says, will always happen, whether we like it or not, whether we want it or not, and whether we’re ready for it or not. In fact, “change” is perhaps the only certainty we have during our lifetime.

When change happens externally—in our environment—we get affected too. Sometimes we are affected directly, at other times indirectly. Sometimes we are affected a lot, at other times, not.

“Since everything in life is connected, anything that happens anywhere in the world will affect everything else, even if perhaps in the minutest way, but a chain of events will have been precipitated. This is known as Cause and Effect. So, always expecting change is a good start. Accepting that certain events are inevitable because there is more in life that is out of our control than there is that’s within our personal power is another essential step. The past is what it is. The present is more within our control. Consequently, being able to expect, accept and even embrace change—whatever its form or outcome—is one of the most important life-skills anyone can have. The opening lines of the “Serenity Prayer” express this perfectly:

So, we have to accept that things go wrong, change our lives, shatter our dreams more often than not. Where do we go from here? His answer: “When things go wrong, what is ‘actually’ happening is that these events would not be going as we had planned or as we would have liked them to go. Here is a harsh truth: In the bigger picture, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way for things to go. This may sound strange, perhaps even objectionable, but in Nature everything happens out of necessity, not for the advantage of anything or anyone. Birth and Death are normal, ongoing events that are equally necessary and interconnected. Our false sense of ‘self-importance’ as a species makes us (humans) believe that whatever happens in the Universe is ‘about us,’ when we are merely a miniscule particle in the vastness of the ‘Big Picture’. Nothing is about us! We are simply minor components of an infinite whole. Of course, some things will change because of our actions— such as ‘climate change’ for example—but it’s not so much because we are in charge of anything. It is rather because we are participants in an ecological environment where every action can prompt a reaction.”

He then quotes Khalil Gibran from his monumental work The Prophet to illustrate our place in the scheme of existence. “When he is asked to speak to the fold about children, the prophet Almustafa says,

Life’s longing for itself. We need the humility to admit that we humans are incidental rather than instrumental to Life. Events will unfold as they must—one way or another—and we can either stress ourselves because we wanted them to unfold differently, or do our best to adopt and flow, surviving in the process as best we can.

Because we are complex living beings, we may not be able to control our emotional responses to our surroundings, but we can often adjust our reactions; hence our conscious thoughts about them and, as a result, we change our feelings.”

We know that we are different from one another and therefore we inevitably react differently to circumstances. Says Steve: “Yes, our personalities have been layered over the years from a mix of different experiences, to say the least, so no two persons are identical. Our behaviour, therefore, will be different as will be our response to the current situation. For some it will be more stressful than for others.”

“Stress,” he says, is an emotional response. “It varies between individuals. Those who generally do not seek external factors to energize themselves, also known as “introverts,” may find it easier to be indoors for prolonged periods, engaging themselves and remaining calm in their own or in limited company. They are used to it. Those who generally need a lot of interaction with other people in order to keep themselves fully charged, also known as “extroverts,” will probably react to the need for isolation with more stress and might struggle to keep calm and engaged while at home alone or in very limited company. They are not used to it.”

Then there are the anxious amongst us. What about them? “Those who are prone to “high anxiety,” meanwhile, need to be kept in our focus. They may need to be reminded that this is a temporary state of affairs. It is a storm and all storms eventually subside. This, too, shall pass! But we all need to be responsible and patient, appreciating the shelter and safety of our homes. My heart bleeds most for the lonely and the homeless. I wish we could all afford them more solidarity during this winter of dull global health.” Anxiety is a natural response that is intended to protect us, he comments: “Do not be surprised if you feel more anxious or worried than usual, especially at times like these. We humans are hard-wired to notice even the first signs of danger and our brain immediately goes into overdrive to keep our bodies safe. The snag is that this “stress response” that we experience as anxiety, as essential as it is for our survival, may be too much for some people to handle in certain circumstances. Our brain does not know when the bad news is fake or exaggerated, so it produces the same response as when we are faced with real danger.”

What can one do to reduce stress? “Use rationale to reason with yourself, as much as possible, to lessen your “imagination” of what might go wrong. Since anxiety results from ‘physiological’ responses in the body, it helps to focus on your breathing to help your brain slow down and calm the rest of your body, releasing better-feeling hormones. If these measures aren’t enough, seek help, but be aware that you are not alone. There is always help for anyone ready to help himself.”

Everyone seems to think that after this trying time our lives are going to change – some say radically, others in small ways. So, what does he read in his crystal ball about this? “These new circumstances are forcing us to change our ways of working, our daily habits and our attitude towards life. How lasting these changes will be remains to be seen. Some of us have had to adapt to working from home. Most of us have limited our movement outside the house to an absolute minimum. Some are in strict quarantine. At the moment, we are not buying clothes or gadgets, except perhaps online. Streets are quiet and entertainment outside the home is on hold. For the most part, we became more conscious about the need to economize on our consumption, realising that we need to keep our homes stocked perhaps for longer periods than originally thought. Hopefully, waste may also be greatly reduced as a result of our predicament.”

Steve continues and says that we seem to be returning to the Past in some ways. “This includes a renewed awareness in the need for public hygiene. During the Second World War, the British Ministry of Health issued posters with the catchy phrase, Coughs and Sneezes spread Diseases. This education was particularly important since people would often be huddled in bomb-shelters for extended periods. Evidently, this is still a good axiom for us to keep in mind too, now that we face such difficult times. The pendulum seems to be swinging toward the other extreme. Thanks to our greatly reduced transport by motor vehicles and an extensive suspension in air travel and tourism, even Mother Earth is having a break from our incessant fuming and polluting.”

We know only too well that the threats facing us are not small. They are economic as well as health- and wellbeing-related. “Let us not underestimate how this can affect us and others in our country, to what extent and for how much longer. What is lacking, perhaps, is a sense of urgency amongst many whose habitual irresponsible nature compels them to abuse their freedom, breaking rules and increasing the risk for others. That said, let us not exonerate ourselves from doing our part.”

Steve emphasises that everyone is connected. While some of us are more prone to certain consequences, no one is exempted. He gives a few examples: “Some people may be more financially stable than others yet have much more at stake economically in these perilous times. Some have the security of a pension but are more at risk healthwise. Some of us have relatives living abroad and may be worried, while others may have elderly parents whom they cannot visit So we are all pretty much in this together. Especially in times like these, it would be very unwise for us to compare ourselves to others. We simply need to do our bit and count our blessings.”

He points out that we all depend on other people to get through this difficult time. “But soon enough we may be looking back and perhaps we’ll have difficulty remembering the detail of this bleak reality, because we shall have won the war against the darn virus and moved on.”

But this is not the first threat to humanity’s survival, and it won’t be the last. “Dire situations tend to bring changes and progress too. Action and reaction often go hand in hand. World War II brought a huge leap in air travel, a dramatic development in other means of transport and advances in communication. Previous epidemics forced nations to improve health services and caused advances in medicine. There is always an upside, even in this crisis … whether or not we are able to see it yet. For one thing, petty differences seem to fade in the background and, so much that we believed was important before the crisis has been overshadowed.”

What qualities do we need to get through this bleak episode as quickly as possible? “The first is discipline. Without discipline there will be chaos. With discipline there will be progress. The second is patience. I remember having an MRI scan a few years ago. I am rather claustrophobic so my tendency would be to panic but knowing that it would be over soon and because I was kept occupied (by the earphone music provided to me) it seemed like a short dream that was over before I knew it.” The third requisite is to have a plan. He explains: “Your emotional wellbeing depends on making the most of your time at home. Prepare lists of activities you need to get done. This could be the time you’ve always dreamed of to (finally) sort out those drawers, or mend stuff, or spend time enjoying your pastimes. Be prepared. Make contact with friends without getting together physically. Share ideas and resources with others.” He emphasises that we need support for one another. “Let us find ways to stay connected, to reach out – especially to those who find it hard to be indoors for too long or who suffer from depression, and not assume they should be the ones reaching out to us if they need help. If you can think of anyone, especially of the elder generation or who suffers from unpleasant emotional conditions, use the phone or any online means to make contact regularly.”

He emphasises that we also have to be aware of what he calls ecology, meaning that we are in the same boat. “Actually, we are much like the crew of a submarine, where anything you do affects the rest of us, and vice versa. Let us exercise respect and selflessness, as opposed to panic buying, breaking quarantine, scaremongering or anything that affects society negatively. A truly civilized society should not require laws to keep its members in check, but alas we are not all civilized enough in our behaviour.” He cautions us about using words because without realizing we may be affecting others negatively instead of spreading calm and hope. “Avoid words that are loaded with drama. Catastrophizing, exaggerating and over-thinking are ways of creating anxiety. Without letting our guard down, let us share kind words and respectful humour. Let us consider how we speak to ourselves and to others.”

What lessons can we learn from this? “There is so much more that we ‘cannot’ control than there is that we can. What we ‘can’ control involves what relates to us, especially our words, our thoughts, our actions and our reactions. Assume responsibility for your actions and for your wellbeing. Avoid blaming others unnecessarily. Accept that the situation is the way it is and we need to make the most of it while it lasts. .As the old song goes, “I can’t stop the rain by complaining.” But I can avoid getting wet (feeling depressed or bored) by taking steps to remain dry (to do what I can to avoid hardship for myself and others).”

How can this awful situation possibly affect us in a positive way? Is there a proverbial ‘silver lining’ here? Steve is ever the optimist. “More than one, actually. Recapping some of the points made earlier, we have the following: Because of the fear of dying this situation has spiked religiousness in a lot of people, although this may have been spurred by the wrong motives in some because to turn to one’s God only when one is afraid points to a devotion of convenience. In my books “Gratitude is the only form of prayer,” so I prefer being grateful for all that is working in my life, rather than praying for protection, prompted by fear of a present threat. On the plus side, this made many people reflect and not take their life for granted.”

He points out that we have seen an increase in solidarity and even witnessed support being offered to complete strangers. “We experienced extraordinary human kindness in sharp contrast with the selfishness demonstrated by those whose actions jeopardized the stability of the nation.”

Another silver lining? “There is the fear of running out of rations. While fear may be irrational and ill-founded, in recent weeks we found ourselves curbing waste. A need to reduce and control our consumption makes us more human than machine. Such a situation also makes us realise what truly matters in life. Many people may have needed this jolt in order to realize that needs and wants are not the same thing and that you cannot eat possessions.”

Those of us who weren’t aware that security is a myth soon realised it. “Seeing how such a misfortune – that was out of our control to begin with – could reach us in a flash from the other side of the globe and how it forced us to close shops, cancel events and stay at home – risking our livelihood in some cases – may bring us to our senses before we pass judgement on socially emarginated people. Losing one’s job is enough to render a person homeless from being unable to pay rent. Let us refrain from labelling homeless people as addicts or lazy. Our own security is a fragile as the leaves on a tree. On a personal note, my life and career were going splendidly a few years ago, or so it seemed on the surface but in a flash – in just one moment – my whole world crumbled. It felt like my success story was cut short and coupled with a horror movie so there I was, in total disbelief, having to start over in my mid-fifties. My safety (“luck” if you will) lay in the fact that I did not have to pay rent and we had a second income, but I learned at that moment that security is a myth.”

Another silver lining is the practice and importance of washing our hands as a vital necessity. “Let us hope this practice stays with us for a couple of generations.” Then the need to cover our mouths. Steve comes up with some interesting facts: “The University of Bristol’s 2019 research indicates that “the airborne transmission of diseases, including the common cold, influenza and tuberculosis, is something that affects everyone with an average sneeze or cough sending around 100,000 contagious germs into the air at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.” We should all be very aware of this, rather than casual about public hygiene.”

He reminds us that this is a unique occasion to have time to ourselves. “Rather than struggling with it why not actively think of ways to interact with friends remotely and look up online or other resources related to their interests. If you are working from home, don’t become sloppy. Keep yourself in top form.

This is an opportune time to interact with your family, discuss topics of mutual interests, watch movies together, or do other activities… together. We must not forget that we are in this together.”

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