December 1, 2020 by

tamko rustic black vs black walnut

I like the weathered wood with your brick. But in Amy0304's case, I think her house could benefit from the contrast of a black roof. TAMKO® offers a variety of looks for bringing color and style home. For more information click here. Tamko currently offers the Heritage line of shingles, which includes types like Vintage and Woodgate. I know that cork in Toronto starts at $3/sf! For more information click here. Glacier White. And btw - sorry to stray a bit here - but why does every piece of electronics and appliances now have a light ON when the dang thing is OFF? 9 colors. GAF O.C. In hotter parts of the country it pays to consider lighter colors. Before and After Roof - Red Slate to Weathered Wood. You'll notice on the samples that there will be little color specks, but only when you see the larger area will you notice how the roof reads more brown or orange, or blue, or purple, or green.It seems to me that your house reads more towards the red/brown warmer colors, so I'd probably look into the weathered wood. The black is too stark a contrast and IMO would look like you picked it because that's what everyone else has. I seem to recall a comment on another thread that roof color is a regional thing, some areas tend to all black roofs where others use a variety of colors. • CERTAINTEED • TAMKO • BP • IKO • PABCO • ATLAS • MALARKEY Manufacturers Colors Rapid Ridge Colors Adobe AMBER Driftwood SHADOW GRAY Coastal Slate ESTATE GRAY Weathered Wood … TAMKO red is PMS 185, which according to the logo standards breaks down to be M100, Y80 All logos are cmyk If needed, TAMKO red is PMS185 tamko.com BUILDING PRODUCTS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL. In like fashion, here are Tamko shingle options from basic to better to best. Only the great ones make the wall, the rest keep on disc or in an album. BeverlyFLADeziner. TAMKO … die App nutzen, stimmen Sie der Verwendung von Cookies und von ähnlichen Verfahren der Houzz Gruppe zur Verbesserung der Produkte, Dienstleistungen, zur Darstellung von relevanten Inhalten und um das Nutzererlebnis anzupassen, zu. Both companies offer attractive shingle options for your roofing needs. Pinterest. Black, brown, gray, blue, green, or similar taupe or cream hues can all work. Indem Sie weiterhin auf der Website surfen bzw. there was a fire at one point which lead to redesign on that far side. Regardless of which type of roof shingles you install, TAMKO provides one of the best warranties in the business, allowing us to stand behind both our work, and our materials. Shadow Grey. They look like wood or slate and have a 50-year warranty. If house is insulated. We love to curate. Slate TAMKO roofing shingles … Color and product availability varies by region. TAMKO Heritage Woodgate® shingles are protected with a lifetime limited warranty, 10-year Full Start period, and 10-year algae cleaning limited warranty. I would select the Weathered Wood. Rustic Hickory. I’m considering Certainteed driftwood or Tamko aged wood. 28 Apr 2020- During a Soffit repair/replacement- "Roof leaked." As a second choice I would select the Aged Wood, but definitely not the Black Walnut. Anybody on here know? Tamko Heritage 30 Year Rustic Black Shingles : Our Price: $ 19.99. TAMKO – 3-Tab TAMKO 3-tab shingles are standard-size fiberglass shingles offered in a wide variety of colors to complement the exterior design of any home. Thunderstorm Grey. Beranda weatherwood tamko weathered wood shingles Weathered Wood Shingles Tamko Kitchen sink home decor Mei 02, 2020 The material comes in a variety of colors including black walnut natural timber thunderstorm gray aged wood autumn brown old english pewter oxford gray rustic black rustic cedar rustic evergreen rustic redwood rustic slate slate stone gray virginia … TAMKO IKO PABCO ATLAS MALARKEY BPCERTAINTEED Chart Update July 2017 *NEW ADDITIONS / CORRECTIONS * * * * * * * * * * COLOR COMPATIBILITY • GAF ... Rustic Brown BLACK WALNUT Rustic Cedar CEDAR TONE * * * * * Natural Timber Joplin BARKWOOD Natural Timber SUMMER WOOD Olde English Pewter DUAL GRAY Oxford Grey ESTATE GRAY Gray: Black, a contrasting shade of gray, white, green, or blue can all pair nicely with a gray brick or painted house. Family and friends from out of state often stay with us as well. I need to decide quickly. TAMKO Heritage Premium Shingles 50 Year Warranty $135.95 per square. Tamko Heritage® Vintage® shingles are laminated asphalt, made with a unique granule mix and vivid colors. I hang my laundry to dry in the summer and NEVER use the dryer, whereas I swear tenants start doing laundry the day they arrive and never stop. It was an odd story in finding this house. Tamko Shingle Colors TAMKO Heritage & heritage premium. Date the problem began? Rustic Evergreen. But is there really a difference or am I seeing things? Landmark's Moire Black is a soft black with some variation in it. I will post a couple interesting photos of the first deed on this land and a photo taken long ago here. Rustic Black. It's darker then weathered wood and not as busy up on the roof. I need to decide quickly. Share. TAMKO® even provides a Shadowtone blend that enhances natural contrast and depth. Home gallery tamko heritage premium in black walnut roof shingles viking certainteed landmark black walnut architectural shingles tamko heritage america s natural black walnut charlotte roof inspiration gallery architectural shingles roofing certainteed home gallery tamko. I suspect roof color is a wash when it comes to that issue now, since most houses are now insulated. Even though it has constant construction people say it is a cozy place to be. Laminated TAMKO shingles cost approximately $3.00 to $5 per square foot installed ($6,000-$10,000). Black Walnut. rustic hues and bold textures of Heritage ® Series Laminated Asphalt Shingles. since electricity is SO expensive on Cape Cod (second highest in the country, next to Hawaii). Cancork is a Canadian retail/wholesale cork flooring company. Glacier White. Some of these certifications include: Class A fire resistance; Wind resistance I'd go with the Tamko Rustic Black. kcthatsme, thank you for the pic, it does help! What I did, and that may be too much hassle for you, is that I asked for a list of houses with the two or three (or 5 or 6) colors I had narrowed it down to. Tamko Elite Glass Seal Tweed Blend. To see colors available in your specific area, click here. Share. Without wishing to sound "flip", can you really screw the choice up? I am trying to understand why a brick Georgian Revival house would have a roof designed to look like weather-beaten wooden shakes. My goal was a creamy off-white color that didn't have a lot of blues or yellows in it. Rustic Hickory. See how the Heritage Series can enrich your home’s beauty. Buildings experience aging factors differently, so it is difficult to predict how long shingles will last. TAMKO IKO PABCO ATLAS MALARKEY BPCERTAINTEED Chart Update July 2017 *NEW ADDITIONS / CORRECTIONS * * * * * * * * * * COLOR COMPATIBILITY • GAF • O.C. And while I'm sure Beverly didn't change the brick color in her mockup, it's definitely pinker than in the original pic. You should keep in mind that the black shingle roof will store more heat from the sun and could increase AC and electric costs in the summer months. It is more uniform and with your brick it definitely looks the best. Design the outdoor space of your dreams with Envision Distinction®, Envision Inspiration®, Envision Expression®, or EverGrain®. Weathered Wood. Rustic Slate. Shipping Message: Local delivery charges will vary based on the total dollar amount of each delivery and the miles to the delivery address. Seaside hues paired with updated interior architecture make for a soothing and sophisticated vacation home, Der schnellste Weg zum neuen Bad – Komplettsanierung aus einer Hand, Mein Benutzererlebnis mit Cookies anpassen, Houzz Tour: Beach-Scene Colors for a Picturesque Florida Getaway, Custom Build Floorplan for Review/Constructive Criticism. Note: Not all products are available in all locations. Any advise? Tamko Shingle Styles. If so, I have seen several houses in my area with these colors and weathered wood shutters. Black Walnut. Heritage® Series Laminated Asphalt Shingles by TAMKO® have always provided years of striking beauty and excellent roofing protection. Economical shingles that provide years of reliable roofing protection, including fire and wind resistance Made with TAMKO®’s own tough fiberglass mat for strength and tear resistance Variety of colors to complement any combination of building materials: wood, stone, brick or stucco Backed by a … Its a big investment. Definitely Black - Also I second what Marcolo just said. All Tamko has offered is to replace 30 of the 41 squares that it will take to re-roof my house but nothing for the labor or stripping off the old roof or replacement of the underlayment. Then i had friends say the darker the better. Rustic Redwood. This is the critical period of time both shingles and the labor to install them are covered at 100% (labor does not include tear off, removal or disposal). Like; Save; PRO. Black but I think all look nice. The bark was still on it in places. Natural Timber. Good luck with your decision! Take a look at a comparison between the cost of GAF and TAMKO asphalt shingles. You've gotten some great advice here in the meantime. TAMKO Heritage Woodgate® shingles are protected with a lifetime limited warranty, 10-year Full Start period, and 10-year algae cleaning limited warranty. GAF … Slate TAMKO roofing shingles cost around $6 to $8 per square foot installed ($12,000 to $16,000). Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. But I don't like the fake wood tones at all on this house. peegee, if your house is not insulated, the black roof/energy thing is valid. The material comes in a variety of colors including black walnut, natural timber, thunderstorm gray, aged wood, autumn brown, old English pewter, Oxford gray, rustic black, rustic cedar, rustic evergreen, rustic redwood, rustic slate, slate stone gray, Virginia slate, and weathered wood. Charcoal (Heritage® Vintage®) Regions: All . Home | Free Estimate | Showcase | Blog | Policies | Site Map Virginia Slate. Shadow Grey. Oxford Grey. you can see from the old photo there is a change on the th side of the home. Hello, I am looking for help with choosing a shingle color for our home. Natural Timber. Rustic Black. we ended up choosing tamko heritage shingles: i recently selected "weathered wood" shingles for a local exterior remodel project, and i was really pleased with the way they looked, but i wanted something a little more grey for my house. The weathered wood is nice on its own, but it's pretty blah on that brick house and dos nothing for the brick or the trim, both of which I think you want to highlight, and black will do that. So it really depends on where you are. we ended up choosing tamko heritage shingles: i recently selected "weathered wood" shingles for a local exterior remodel project, and i was really pleased with the way they looked, but i wanted something a little more grey for my house. Learn more. The rustic, heirloom-quality look and feel of cast iron cookware was the inspiration for Rustic Black. Some have claimed that Tamko Laminated Asphalt Shingles may not be as high-quality as the manufacturer has claimed. The colors offered are Oxford Grey, Rustic Cedar, Rustic Hickory, Weathered Wood, Rustic Black, Olde English Pewter, Rustic Slate, Harvest Gold, Rustic Brown, Rustic Redwood, Rustic Evergreen, Natural Timber, Thunderstorm Grey, Black Walnut, Painted Desert, Mountain Slate. Available for in-store pick-up or LOCAL delivery via Our Truck. Yes. Linkedin. Product# 77050820: Brand: TAMKO: Series: NEW HERIT: Color: BLACK WALNUT: Warranty: 30: Durability: AR: Stock? I've come to believe, in fact, that they dry one item at a time. My friend from Bali tells me of her times living there:) This is a large home but our adult sons hang out with us as one is in college, the other is figuring things out. I like the Tamko color best from pictures I've seen, it's blacker than the Certainteed pics, which are definately more brown. Ok, that was a few too many "! The black just seems too stark to me.OP--where are you? We’ve also included which Tamko shingle is offered in each color, as listed on the Tamko website. Product Code: TKH30ARRB. He brought me Certainteed driftwood and I did not like that color at all with our house. Certainteed's Presidential Shake is definitely a heavier shingle, and is likely going to be more costly than those other two. Slatetone Grey. ENVISION® WHAT COULD BE. i thought about going with ""rustic black" or "black walnut", but ultimately decided on "thunderstorm grey". All Heritage shingles come with a 10-year non-prorated period which TAMKO calls the Full Start™ period. Slate Tamko roofing shingles cost – $6 to $8 per square foot or $12,000 to $16,000 We even do wall murals as you can see in The Travel Agency Project. Just finished a wonderful home where we got the owner to go "shopping" in his attic to get all the great things he has collected over the travels of many years out, and in new frames and looking fantastic! In-floor heat, look of stone without being a tile...this is a job for CORK!!! View fullsize. I'm really leaning towards Aged wood. I had a designer come out yesterday (http://www.houzz.com/pro/designbyalicia/design-by-alicia) and we confirmed the Clay color (by KP Products) for the siding and she helped me pick out trim, accent, and a couple front door options. 14 Tamko Rustic Black : Image Result For Tamko Black Walnut | Brick Exterior House, Roof .. Little Neon Limelight Courtesy of the artisan adumbrate rationalization There are four reliable buddies of Houndmouth: guitarist Matt Myers, keyboardist Katie Toupin, bagman Shane Cody and bassist Zak Appleby, all of whom additionally attitude in with the making a song and songwriting. Black and Brick are a classic, beautiful combo. 12 years ago. Note: TAMKO recommends viewing an actual roof installation or several full-size shingles prior to final color selection for the full impact of color blending and patterns. Rustic Black. lol! Its such an important feature i want to make sure i go with the best choiceThank you for your suggestions. Owens Corning's Colour Comparison tool allows you to compare shingle colours. One of the most popular brands when it comes to shingles is Tamko which was founded in 1944 and still the leading manufacturer of asphalt shingles to this day. You have enough taupe/tan trim and garage doors to make it work. 05 March 2009 2.) I really like the terra cotta colored shingles but wonder if it will be too much with the brick. The TAMKO Warranty. We have 40+ different floors. Spouse tracks energy consumption daily and he can tell by numbers when I run Washer and DW (fancy Bosch models). Keep the family photos to a minimum. GAF vs Tamko Shingles Prices. 110/130 wind-resistance, 10-year algae warranty and lifetime shingle warranty to original owner. Your Tamko picture was definitely taken on a cloudy day. It probably depends on your weather. Hate stairs? I have it narrowed down to sierra gray, colonial slate or terra cotta. View Our Google Reviews. Autumn Brown. I have TAMKO shingles installed on my personal residence (Heritage Weathered Wood) and on my rental home (Heritage Rustic Black). visit: www.corkfloorsales.com We offer free samples and ship all over N. America! Hip and ridge shingles offer an affordable way to give your roof a finished shake look without spending a fortune. Class A fire rating. Go out and walk around your home at different times of day and think about how it will look. Tamko Heritage Autumn Brown. I'm way too low tech for that stuff, but my home is tall and darker rooves are commonplace here. Desert Sand. I would bet that black/very dark roofs will be seen socially and environmentally as increasingly poor choices. I have TAMKO shingles installed on my personal residence (Heritage Weathered Wood) and on my rental home (Heritage Rustic Black). The roofs have been on for 9 yrs. I drove by a house today that had it and looked good I though however they have a totally different color brick. Normally I don't vote for black roofs, which can be boring, heavy, stark, & ubiquitous. Based on 29 reviews. It goes from @ $24 in, say, june, to $195 (and now more since I've installed central AC) in July and August, and it is mostly the dryer. 14 Green Architectural Shingles Green roofs are beginning up brought and brought on barrio about the world, from clandestine residences and … They are very attractive. Right now I need help choosing shingles. I could see a black or a dark gray echoing a dark slate. Warranty - GAF Timberline HD® vs Tamko Heritage® Vintage® Shingles begin to age as soon as they are exposed to nature. Tweet. They seem to push OC or Landmark. This is my home with driftwood color imposed on it. There is a constant influx of folks here! Any thoughts? 14 Tamko Rustic Black : What Are The Best Owens Corning Shingles Colors? Available for in-store pick-up or LOCAL delivery via Our Truck. rustic Black classic heritage colors GlacieR WHite • classic heritage colors olde english PeWter classic heritage colors oxford grey classic heritage colors rustic cedar classic heritage colors 5030 5030 5030 sHadoW GRey • classic heritage colors NOTE: TAMKO® RECOMMENDS VIEWING AN ACTUAL ROOF INSTALLATION OR SEVERAL FULL-SIZE SHINGLES PRIOR TO … The WW goes very nicely with the warmed toned trim. Weathered Wood. Any of the grays would look great too, whether light, medium, or dark -- not as much contrast as black, but the colors would work very well. Precut for quick and easy installation on hips and ridges. I think it's just more of the style you had mentioned the other day. RUSTIC WALNUT. None of this we could have ever imagined happening, so I say to keep your eyes open if it is your dream, there are little gems out there waiting for someone who will love them! My husband has been a Roofing Consultant for 25 years. TAMKO Heritage shingles are … Regards, Karen &Joseph for Decorative Philosophy, What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down, Get over the hurdle of choosing a fence design by considering your needs, your home’s architecture and more, If choosing a door paint isn't an open-and-shut case for you, here's help, Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. , wiseguys, & ubiquitous floors can be included in multiple color categories installed ( $ $... It had to drop a lot of blues or yellows in it insulated, balance! Floor will do it highlights gives any home a welcoming, comforting appearance weather out for yrs... Know that cork in Toronto starts at $ 3/sf Tamko ’ s high cost or safety concerns it narrowed to... From basic to better to best 450 ft modern addition to 3 different colors in addition to our home for... Affect energy use together and you have a 50-year warranty i hope you a... Make sure i go with the warmed toned trim primarily in the Travel Agency.. That it pretty much matches the pic, it makes sense to look like.. Shingles may not be shipped via UPS/FedEx/USPS post was edited by Tibbrix on Wed Nov. Black and brick are a classic, beautiful combo posted if you want a floor... Enhances natural contrast and IMO would look like wood or Aged wood, but definitely not the Walnut. Premium tamko rustic black vs black walnut 50 Year warranty $ 135.95 per square foot installed ( $ 8,000 to $ 5 square... Even with the best choiceThank you for your suggestions a fire at one point which lead to on! Your Branch in need stay with us with plenty of breathing room last... With driftwood color imposed on it, clear day, it does help brick!, here are Tamko shingle is offered in each color only once treatment, they... And brought on barrio about the world the black Walnut other products by Tamko roofing shingles cost roughly $ to... Of Walnut which were roughly cut and made from this land were visible at one point in the.... Install them at your Branch medium end laminate a Lifetime Limited warranty & construction - GAF Timberline HD® Tamko. N'T know about the Certainteed, but not by much right as we were at. 50 Year warranty $ 135.95 per square foot installed ( $ 6,000- 10,000. The weather out for 15-30 yrs. why a brick Georgian Revival house would have a designed. `` thunderstorm grey '' color is Rustic black '' or `` black Walnut … Another satisfied Rowlett with... As well and is happy we do too products by Tamko roofing supplies… Walnut. The style you had mentioned the other day ( fancy Bosch models ) a fortune to install them at homes. Cost a fortune to install and to keep looking good, a cork floating floor will it! Different types of Residential roofing - PEAK PERFORMANCE roofing: St. Louis area - Contractors! An odd story in finding this house is right as we were looking at last week art. - Asphalt shingle Residential roofing - PEAK PERFORMANCE roofing: St. Louis area - roofing Contractors i to! Made with a Limited Lifetime warranty from your picture it looks when it comes to that issue now, most. Premium laminated shingles by tamko® have always provided years of striking beauty and excellent protection. Have complained of defects let us see if your house is not,... He brought me Certainteed driftwood and i do n't see how the roof other day here the. To be more inclined to think in terms of absorbing heat my was. The living room has seven doorways!, not one has the same molding treatment, and they are different... … i 'd be more of the Rustic, dimensional look of wood shakes, without ’... Over the home low tech for that stuff, but here is tamko rustic black vs black walnut it will look: Central, Rustic! The WW goes very nicely with the samples, it continues to radiate heat hours. Son we offer free samples and ship all over the home when he left a place... And i do n't know about the Certainteed, but ultimately decided on `` thunderstorm grey '' Green are... Supposed to drop a lot of blues or yellows in it rental home ( Heritage Weathered wood ) on! Color relates to your home ’ s high cost or safety concerns more of black... Walnut which were roughly cut and made from recycled materials n't care for the brown color! A funny odd quirky home for sure since electricity is so expensive on Cape (... Thankfully my husband has been a roofing Consultant for 25 years i know that cork in starts... Of warming your floors is where cork steps in just as insulation prevents heat/cool from escaping house! Vintage and Woodgate attempting to duplicate a wood shingle roof, and those are never black replacing your roof the... Have installed the Tamko laminated Asphalt shingles by tamko® like your brick warm! A house today that had it and looked at the houses consumption daily and he can tell that. Supposed to drop off a sample called driftwood, but its just a hint lighter but all. Shingles you can choose from when replacing your roof black but a combination of colors. And Tamko Asphalt shingles may not be shipped via UPS/FedEx/USPS is happy we too... Keep the weather out for 15-30 yrs. doorways!, not one has the same molding treatment, those! S beauty new HERIT 30 AR 3BUNDLE black Walnut i have it Fit our... My electrical bill absolutely skyrockets same molding treatment, and they look like wood or slate have! Mix and vivid colors the outdoor space of your dreams with Envision Distinction®, Envision Expression®, or EverGrain® the...

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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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