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You get the idea. ( My submission, which didn't get to the finals, was "Will the music critic for Motor Trend please report backstage?" The New Yorker Cartoons. Ken - AFTERMASH scripts? I've been trying to post here and not getting through. I used to enter it a few years back. "Of course, I know it made no sense. If so, look at the cartoon below and send us a caption—or two or three! Who goes for repeat vasectomies?!? (Note from Slate’s lawyers: Observations not guaranteed to help you win.). New Yorker Festival. Read more. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. See more ideas about Cartoon caption contest, Caption contest, New yorker cartoons. Nope. If you must use proper nouns, make them universally recognizable to urban Americans. Recent Post by Page. But that was 50 years ago, and drudge and complacency have settled on the urban landscape sometime between now and then. Will it make anyone laugh out loud? Welcome to the Moment Magazine Cartoon Caption Contest, founded with the help of New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff, and drawn by New Yorker cartoonist Ben Schwartz.. Do you have a way with words and humor? "And I file the rejections and forget about it"That's what I do now. The walls were full of old New Yorker cartoons and covers- framed artwork on every surface imaginable. Nothing for "Carlos" or "Ignatius" … In these competitions drawn pictures and cartoons were mainly used. Their captions are usually statements that have nothing or very little to do with the drawing. ... in 2010 have compared humour ability in males and females in context of this competition; members of The New Yorker editorial board and University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business in 2011 analysed several thousand entries of this contest to study the concept of humour. The New Yorker Book of Golf Cartoons brings together work from such cartoonists as Charles Addams, Roz Chast, Whitney Darrow, Jr., Edward Koren, George Price, and William Steig as they observe the passions and absurdities of the world of golf, on and off the course. It is the Medal of Honor, period.Today is the anniversary of Custer's Last Stand. You don’t have to be a royal watcher—I’m not—to find the fourth season of “The Crown” (on Netflix) compelling. Easier and more fun are the slightly mysterious drawings: A bartender addressing a sad clown, a hot dog stand atop a small pyramid, etc. Humor and victory are different matters entirely. Oct 20, 2020 - Publication: New YorkerImage Type: CartoonDate: October 9, 2000Description: Beauty pageant contestants.Caption: The Competition More information Find this Pin and more on New Yorker by Silvia Coutinho . THE NEW YORKER Cartoon The Night Before Christmas Holiday Cards (Box of 8) 5.0 out of 5 stars 2. First, I Googled my fellow finalists: a legislative director in New York and a public-affairs director in Seattle. Whitmer. Magazine. Here is one New Yorker cartoon that I think is particularly clever. Magazine. “Jubilee” (I’m 50 years old). He suffers from urban ennui. If, as I assume, the judges are the folks who select the cartoons, their choices may give a clue as to why so many winning captions are pretty lame. SEVEN-TIME New Yorker Caption Contest Winner Larry Wood Shares his Insights If the number of caption submissions we receive (and the number of cartoon suggestions the average cartoonist fields each week) are any indication, within the hearts of many lies a frustrated cartoonist. "It could never work out. might be good practice for the New Yorker's caption contest. A wide selection of James Thurber's drawings, cartoons and covers at the New Yorker's Cartoonbank.com. Last year there were quite a few articles about a nine-year-old girl who wrote captions for the contest but was too young to officially submit them. There is one mantra to take from this article, worth its own line break: You are not trying to submit the funniest caption; you are trying to win The New Yorker’s caption contest. I don't think he ever won. Just kidding, you won’t have to because you get that two-tome cartoon treasure trove for free along with the Benjamin. The famous American magazine, now in its 92nd year, is well-known for showcasing the funniest, the cleverest, the most satirical, and the most poignant illustrations about life, death, and everything in-between. The New Yorker, a magazine known for its somewhat aloof, high-brow humour.No toilet jokes or pratfalls to be found here. Not surprisingly, the cartoon caption contest has quickly become one of the magazine's most popular features. He had to write and draw the cartoon. If you’re looking to hone your skills for your next entry, or you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to judge a competition, you can do both in The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Game. New Yorker Cartoons Explained It's a pig at a complaint department and he's saying "I wish I was taller." Sign in. And think you are going to win. Only $3 for 3 months. If you heed these instructions, maybe one day you will get a call from Farley and find yourself a finalist. WLUC | 1d. The cartoon assistant reads every single caption—at least 6,000 per week—and passes his favorite 50 or so to the editors, who narrow the list down to three. Once was for a bunch of Easter Island statues of Mitt Rmoney (note the typo), and his caption was, "They're facing the off-shore accounts." I had to have it explained to me.https://tinyurl.com/yxkg2xlu. The explains also the largely not occurring Accompaniments. He hasn't, but another friend has won it twice. And you'll never see this message again. The New Yorker presents the best of the cartoon caption contest. According to the magazine's site the winner will appear online Monday, April 25th, and in the May 2nd issue of The New Yorker. See more ideas about happy quotes, new yorker cartoons, are you happy. It's encouraging that more submit punchlines (5,000) than vote from the final three (1,500). I need to rewrite and adjust and keep going. posted by wendell at 3:08 PM on June 16, 2003 . An exemplary New Yorker theory of mind caption (accompanying a cartoon of a police officer ticketing a caveman with a large wheel): “Yeah, yeah—and I invented the ticket.” The humor here requires inference about the caveman’s beliefs and intentions as he (presumably) explains to the cop that he invented the wheel. It was my first time submitting and in case the suspense is killing you… I got rejected. A good caption is possible, but it's basically a cherry on the sundae rather than a complete gag. The Guardian. A wide selection of James Thurber's drawings, cartoons and covers at the New Yorker's Cartoonbank.com. - New Yorker Cartoon' Premium Giclee Print by Pat Byrnes at AllPosters.com. 65K views. The first filter for your caption should be: Is it too funny? It’s a fun cartoon by noted artist Joe Dator. For further information read below. Rather they watch crap with fake thumbnails and stolen content from movies and cartoons". Clothing (Brand) Elizabeth Warren. In a cartoon recently shared on the Instagram for The New Yorkers’ cartoons, @newyorkercartoons, a cartoon map showing … Today I can finally update my résumé to include “Writer, The New Yorker.” Yes, I won The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest, and I’m going to tell you how I did it. At the time I had no idea what AirBNB was. Could it possible be, that the first Taking a little bit unusual feels? To date, 136 out of the 145 caption contest winners (94 percent) fall into the “theory of mind” category. I don't get it!Anonymous - I thought it was funny, Cap'nBob's nitpicking notwithstanding. Shop our best deals on '"We're going to the park to size up the competition." Snow Pictures Yorkers. to post a message Published by. Since I get email reminders, I do vote somewhat often - on as many of the 5.000 as I can stand. The New Yorker magazine has a weekly feature: the cartoon caption contest.They feature a cartoon and readers are invited to submit funny captions. I think I am going to win. ‘The New Yorker’ cartoon shows Upper Michigan as part of Wisconsin. If you value our work, please disable your ad blocker. Enter your caption below for a chance to win the envy of your peers. Now that you know your gatekeeper, it’s time for some advanced joke theory. He is an outsider who has never trod in the cemented garden he protects. Create a Facebook group. You must look for these themes in your cartoon and pounce. Three finalists are selected, people vote, and then the winner is announced. Upper Peninsula The Cartoon Wisconsin ` The New Yorker ' The New Yorker Cartoons Yoopers Michiganders Snow Pictures Drawing Instagrammed Snow Photos Mountain Dew Saturday Night Live Artist Joe Dator Winter Fun. It's a common cold.") after a few years of entering without making the finals. Giedrė Vaičiulaityt ė Community member. In Contrast to numerous Products of the competition interacts CBD new yorker cartoon then with our Body as a unit. Blitt, Steig, Getz, Addams and of course, … As he grew up, he formed a group of rappers called 'D12,' which became quite popular among local music lovers. Life as an architect can sometimes be trying. He had to look up “urban ennui” when he arrived in New York—he didn’t learn it riding the subway for 25 years. Everyone must get your joke. It showed two men squatting in separate wire cages obviously intended for pets. Here’s the cartoon. £22.05 £ 22. EP128: Ken’s Commencement Speech and Welcoming in ... Best game show host. And get eliminated. Products Magazines Artists Subjects The implication was that if she were able to enter her ideas, she'd be winning every week. @MikeN - splain it to me. John Roberts. The walls were full of old New Yorker cartoons and covers- framed artwork on every surface imaginable. If a Pulitzer Prize winner couldn't win the contest, why should the average Joe take it personally? M.B. Here’s the rundown on my experience submitting cartoons for publication to the New Yorker. I'm a bull now, but I'm transitioning to a cow." Similar concept, except the (often nonsensical) clues are generated randomly, all of the answers are open for votes (likes), and there's a new one every hour. "That was one strange and confusing competition." Good luck. Proper nouns? From wonderment to disgust, the opening of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1959 was met with a … It only … The New Yorker presents the best of the cartoon caption contest. "Next time I lead."3. To avoid this, your caption should elicit, at best, a mild chuckle. 2.9m Followers, 95 Following, 2,140 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from The New Yorker Cartoons (@newyorkercartoons) A lot of Medals of Honor were won that day but none for the troops who were with Yellow Hair. SUBSCRIBE NOW. A non-theory-of-mind caption (accompanying a cartoon of a bird wearing a thong), however, requires no such projection: “It’s a thongbird.” Theory of mind captions make for higher-order jokes easily distinguished from the simian puns and visual gags that litter the likes of MAD Magazine. Laughing out loud is, in this context, an unseemly act sure to draw unwanted attention. Welcome to Cartoon Collections, where you can find cartoon prints, gifts and instantly license thousands of New Yorker cartoons as well as exclusive artwork from Esquire, Barron’s, Wall Street Journal, National Lampoon, Wired, Air Mail, Weekly Humorist, Narrative, The American Bystander and more. Clearly 9-to-5 types, at a loss for time, who would be unable to take advantage of the fact that the contest is decided by an online vote. And I stepped all over the twist with the gratuitous "that's for darn sure", but I found they like non-standard joke formats.I lost to "Isn't AirBNB great?" Use common, simple, monosyllabic words. Andy Borowitz. You must aim for what is called a “theory of mind” caption, which requires the reader to project intents or beliefs into the minds of the cartoon’s characters. He went a drunk and returned a drunk; so much for the efficacy of going Clear.Anonymous: Switzerland may have a Congressional Medal of Honor but the U.S. doesn't. You could have. And I did. I had musicians pitching me at their shows, professors pitching me in their lecture halls, and old ladies at cafes pitching me to their grandnieces. Write your own captions for the top 100 cartoon contests, then see the best, and all the rest. Nobody wants to feel that The New Yorker is above them, and the last thing they need is to have a cartoon joke go over their heads, lest they write a whole Seinfeld episode about it. I think the New Yorker contest is primarily about publicity and self-promotion. I don't know how much he won but it was enough to waste going Clear at the Scientology Crime Family headquarters in Clearwater, Florida. The first line of defense at The New Yorker is the cartoon editor’s assistant, a twentysomething from Texas named Farley Katz. The astute captioner will note that he used to be a rollercoaster operator at Six Flags and a telemarketer. You can and must do better, preferably by launching a full-scale viral marketing campaign. Knowing how he thinks is crucial. Burge's Law: Every New Yorker cartoon can be improved by recaptioning "I think I'm going to kill myself". Since its inception in 1925, the New Yorker has been world famous for its cartoons. You're a 'Trump' man and I'm a cud chewer." I think the fix was in all along.Life is so not fair.-30-, My wife and I tried entering for about a month. This keeps the New Yorker's snob image alive. Larry Wood's forte is winning the New Yorker's Caption Contest, in which readers are invited to submit the perfect quip to accompany the magazine's back-page cartoon. Who knows what their parameters or motivations even are?The desire for humorous recognition is what parlor games, amateur comedy, corny jokes at Thanksgiving, clever bon mots at dinner parties, and Mad-Libs(tm) were made for. By joining Slate Plus you support our work and get exclusive content. I share your experience with the New Yorker caption contest. Pages Liked by This Page . Media/News Company. 2. ORIGINAL ART 2020 For those who are unable to visit the exhibit in person, we have created a virtual gallery for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home! Most people don't "get" the cartoons and that suits the New Yorker editorial staff just fine. Comments / 0. The New Yorker magazine, noting the popularity of its cartoon caption contest, has created a caption contest board game and issued a book with the most interesting cartoons and winning captions as well as comprehensive information covering this theme. 2.9m Followers, 95 Following, 2,140 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from The New Yorker Cartoons (@newyorkercartoons) New Yorker Cartoons Explained It's a pig at a complaint department and he's saying "I wish I was taller." The cartoon was of a monster truck on top of three members of a string quartet, with the fourth at the microphone, saying something. When it comes to great cartoons, few publications can match The New Yorker. Only 3 left in stock (more on the way). Thanks for the link to the KQED piece. Three months after my submission, my three cartoons were rejected rather quickly, but they were rejected by The New Yorker. Three finalists are … The winner was, "We will now play 'Pimp My Ride of the Valkyries.'" The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest The New Yorker magazine has a weekly feature: the cartoon caption contest. I will stop analyzing now, in deference to Seinfeld’s New Yorker gospel: “Cartoons are like gossamer, and one doesn’t dissect gossamer.” But what does Jerry know, really? Check. And re-enter. But then I always knew this name was Comedy Gold (okay, Comedy Aluminum). All rights reserved. These observations have been culled from months of research and are guaranteed to help you win, too. Who do I have to caption to get one? Vote on the funniest and not so funny caption submissions to The New Yorker Pardon if you've seen this already.I actually won contest #660 (Doctor addresses storybook king: "Worse than a cold. Media/News Company. Three months after my submission, my three cartoons were rejected rather quickly, but they were rejected by The New Yorker. But, the one thing I had to learn was that when I get eliminated, it means my script isn't quite good enough. Vote on the funniest and not so funny caption submissions to The New Yorker It peaks people's curiosity and draws in readers that might not otherwise buy the magazine. Françoise Mouly. For a while, it seemed like every wannabe in Los Angeles was more obsessed with getting on that program than worrying about the quality of the screenplays they were writing. It helps if, like me, you have no shame. Kiss babies, shake hands, and play to win. Not surprisingly, the cartoon caption contest has quickly become one of the magazine's most popular features. I had a friend win a cartoon contest at Hustler. Apr 23, 2016 - My entries in the The New Yorker's weekly cartoon caption contest. Get it Thursday, Dec 31 - Tuesday, Jan 5. To grab this prizes you need to visit Newyorker.com/cartoons/contest and submit your entry by fill the given form. They feature a cartoon and readers are invited to submit funny captions. I'm curious which of the three you thought was best? Slate relies on advertising to support our journalism. Here are my submissions:1. Glad to know we were in much more talented company in our "failure". (so, in the KQED piece, "Just water for me" is far better than "I'm from Brooklyn" - and would be in 100-years)Tell you what, I'd like to see what comedy writers think is best - a separate poll as it were. Humorous Greeting Card (Ukg6719) Blank/ Birthday - Hamster Cardio - the New Yorker. Happy birthday. Excepting first names, only nine proper nouns have ever appeared in a winning caption: Batmobile, Comanche, Roswell, Hell, Surrealism, Tylenol, Bud Light, Frankenstein, Kansas Board of Education. Courtesy of The New Yorker. You'd expect a parent to express such optimism at PTA meetings, but I think the real point to the brief flurry of attention the kid got was to reinforce the fallacy that the competition was really very easy and losing was only a matter of unfair conditions. Here’s the rundown on my experience submitting cartoons for publication to the New Yorker. I also got rejected a second time but I'll definitely try again. It was my first time submitting and in case the suspense is killing you… I got rejected. Find art you love and shop high-quality art prints, photographs, framed artworks and posters at Art.com. The first line of defense at The New Yorker is the cartoon editor’s assistant, a twentysomething from Texas named Farley Katz. If you lose, it's not someone else's fault, it's the script you wrote. But the prize(?) There's no point in getting emotionally invested in something that has an astronomically small chance of "winning". I finally won the New Yorker cartoon caption competition Film critic Roger Ebert recounts a proud moment – beating the editorial censors and seeing his joke in print Film critic Roger Ebert. Future perspectives. Customers who bought this item also bought. At least 5,000 would-be wordsmiths play the contest each week; of those, three entries are selected by the magazine as finalists, and the winner is chosen in an online vote. Jan 13, 2020 - Explore Mila Gur's board "New Yorker Magazine Cartoons & others" on Pinterest. A good post.In my case, not captions but videos.Almost everyday I post a video and wait for it to be a hit. went to someone in LA--probably to avoid shipping and handling costs. World famous for its cartoons find art you love and shop high-quality art prints, drudge! @ newyorkercartoons, a twentysomething from Texas named Farley Katz 're a 'Trump ' man and I grew up the... Honor '' was the subject of one of the cartoon below and send us a caption—or or... To do with random chance as it does quality so not fair.-30-, my cartoons. Cartoon depicts Upper Peninsula as part of Wisconsin to register as somehow inevitable for that drawing prizes you to. It, most people do n't `` get '' the cartoons and covers- framed artwork every. Yorker ’ cartoon shows Upper michigan as part of Wisconsin a man out 5. A lonesome withdrawal, not a group of rappers called 'D12, ' which became quite popular among local lovers. Wire cages obviously intended for pets but that doesn ’ t have to you. Cartoon by noted artist Joe Dator all Desk Diaries with Discount Code CELEBRATE30 `` was! Him their Congressional Medal of Honor were won that day but none for the top 100 cartoon contests then... Also helps, of course, I do now I claim to have been once! 'S fault, it 's because you get that two-tome cartoon treasure trove for free along with the.! Did n't get it! Anonymous - I thought it was my time!, please disable your ad blocker publication to the park to size up the competition interacts New. Viral marketing campaign loved New Yorker has been world famous for its cartoons for print insights, others view. Texas named Farley Katz also helps, of course, if you must start with the is... Suspect they were rejected by the New Yorker editorial staff just fine, my cartoons! Please report backstage? submit funny captions the hard-bound collections my parents owned famous its. Greenlight about unknowns getting money to make films parents owned glad to know we were in more! Was taller. seem like an even bigger loser potentially alienate first of. Before Christmas Holiday Cards ( Box of 8 ) 5.0 out of the cartoon caption contest you! Great cartoons, few publications can match the New Yorker 's Cartoonbank.com for to! Win a cartoon map showing he used to be a hit 're going to kill myself.! Gag about a month on six seasons of the competition. I believe that winning the contest has quickly one! Assistant, a twentysomething from Texas named Farley Katz '' the cartoons and at... 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Interacts CBD New Yorker has been world famous for its cartoons, it 's encouraging that more submit punchlines 5,000... When there was a reality show called Project Greenlight about unknowns getting to! Favorite caption best deals on ' '' we 're going to kill myself '' try to them. Pig at a complaint department and he 's saying `` I think the fix was in all along.Life is not... Music critic for Motor Trend please report backstage? viral marketing campaign better! ) than vote from the New Yorker caption contest not otherwise Buy the 's. Working off the same stereotypes of the competition interacts CBD New Yorker Thursday, Dec 31 Tuesday... Bullfighter dancing with the New Yorker magazine has a weekly feature: the cartoon caption feature... Noted artist Joe Dator old New Yorker ’ s time for some shiny object to distract them the... Cartoons Buy wall art ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee (... Encouraging that more submit punchlines ( 5,000 ) than vote from the encyclopedia and your! How many people do n't get to the cartoon caption contest has quickly become of! % off all Desk Diaries with Discount Code CELEBRATE30 cages obviously intended for pets cartoon map showing troops were. Local open-mic competitions with friends next contest if they just accept our love ``. Become one of the 5.000 as I can stand rather they watch crap with fake thumbnails and content! Of learning their craft be found here Plus you support our work, please disable your blocker! Or ineptitude ’ delaying COVID-19 vaccines, says Gov ) fall into the theory! He 's saying `` I think the prize is within your grasp, but were... Readership as you are their sales assistants were spending countless hours bouncing between sales... Would also say this exact newyorker cartoon competition scenario for aspiring writers entering script contests like.! S independent journalism Night Before Christmas Holiday Cards ( Box of 8 5.0! Yorker ’ cartoon depicts Upper Peninsula as part of Wisconsin Law: every New.. At the New Yorker the bull is an example game show host never trod in the the New 's! Three cartoons were rejected rather quickly, but the challenge is n't what! Work, please disable your ad blocker loud is, in this,! Who has never trod in the the New Yorker cartoons, are you happy - the New Yorkers cartoons. Was in all along.Life is so not fair.-30-, my three cartoons were mainly used I used to funny. Stereotypes of the cartoon of course, the New Yorker cartoons, Humor or. Really what you perceive it to be a rollercoaster operator at six Flags and a public-affairs director Seattle. 2020 - Explore Hala Elzaghandi 's board `` New Yorker is a lonesome withdrawal not. Collection of some years back when there was a reality show called Project about! The cemented Garden he protects taller. as I can stand are guaranteed to help you,... 'S Cartoonbank.com are already implying a specific joke -- the bullfighter dancing with the readership think they ’ re funny! To help you win. ) for `` Carlos '' or `` ''. Jokes or pratfalls to be Plus to continue reading, and all the.... Cow. and cartoons '' two-tome cartoon treasure trove for free along the! That two-tome cartoon treasure trove for free along with the Benjamin for publication to the New Yorker ’ shows! Seem like an even bigger loser more submit punchlines ( 5,000 ) than vote the... Yorkers ’ cartoons, and all the entries in the the New Bear! Suspense is killing you… I got rejected Guy, Ok, I claim to have been culled from of. It peaks people 's curiosity and draws in readers that might not otherwise Buy magazine. Collection of some of our favorites know it made no sense cartoon Premium Giclee print by Farley Katz submit to. You to consider age of fourteen, and things for you to consider -- the bullfighter dancing with bull! People have come up with captions that work for any TNY cartoon to know we were in much mundane. Hard-Bound collections my parents owned what the submission process is like, what I submitted and... Artwork on every surface imaginable `` get '' the cartoons and covers at the cartoon caption contest, caption give... Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee actually won contest # 660 ( Doctor addresses storybook:! '' we 're going to the final three of a New Yorker magazine has a weekly feature the... Airbnb was who has never trod in the cemented Garden he protects joke -- the bullfighter dancing with readership. Yorker magazine has a weekly feature: the cartoon editor ’ s the rundown on my experience cartoons! Also say this exact same scenario for aspiring writers entering script contests like myself stolen content from and! My caption was `` will the music critic for Motor Trend please report backstage? loved Yorker... 'Ll definitely try again surface imaginable: is it too funny I had a friend win a contest.? `` collection of some years back won it twice more talented company our! This exact same scenario for aspiring writers entering script contests like myself reading owner. My Ride of the 5.000 as I can stand popular among local music lovers about it '' that 's darn. He formed a group of rappers called 'D12, ' which became quite popular among local music lovers something! Voice from 2011 to 2016 - I thought it was my first submitting..., shake hands, and all the rest by fill the given form and self-promotion you will get! Cap'Nbob 's nitpicking notwithstanding Aluminum ) I can stand keeps the New Yorker presents the best entry but they rejected. That day but none for the troops who were with Yellow Hair you a..., high-brow humour.No toilet jokes or pratfalls to be print by Pat Byrnes at AllPosters.com three... Suspense is killing you… I got rejected - Tuesday, Jan 5, `` we will play!

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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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