I don’t know where to start this month. In less than a week, it seems, COVID-19 went from a somewhat big deal to the biggest deal in my lifetime (if measured by government-mandated closures). A week ago, it hadn’t occurred to me that school might be canceled effective immediately and many businesses ordered shut. In the meantime, my son has tested positive for flu—I was relieved—and his friend is being tested for coronavirus today. It is mind-boggling how fast things are changing.

And yet in all of this, I’ve been impressed by how quickly our communities can respond to an imminent threat; it’s encouraging to see that we can do hard things. Even in this unprecedented election year, when there is so much disagreement, blaming and name-calling, we’ve shown that we care deeply enough about our neighbors to isolate ourselves. Who knows how things will look two weeks from now, with the possibility of forced isolation, but my sense is that most Americans are truly concerned for the health of others.

April 22 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and I can’t help but think that if we can do what we’re doing right now to stem a pandemic, we can collectively limit the global temperature to 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels. That’s what the 2019 United in Science report states is needed to reach other world goals, such as achieving sustainable development and eradicating poverty. We’re not on track to reach this goal right now, but I suspect that getting on track will not require the same level of restriction as fighting the spread of COVID-19.

We decided to move our Earth Day Events section online (AwakeningCharlotte.com) due to the likelihood of cancellations and reschedulings. The good news is that by not limiting our celebration of our planet to a single day, we will have reminders well into future months. One positive outcome of all this uncertainty is the clarification of priorities—what is truly important in our lives, our community, our world.

Businesses, particularly small businesses, are being and will continue to be affected by the necessary precautions we’re all having to take. Please help them out however you can over the coming weeks and months, as this is a time they particularly need local support. 

Please also take care of yourself and visit our website throughout the month for tips on mind-body-spirit support. We will get through this together.

Wishing you a safe and adventurous April that’s full of possibilities.

On a separate and sad note, Frank Wilkinson of The Financial Healer passed away on Thursday, February 20. He attended the Natural Awakenings Charlotte Social on November 12, 2019, at Lenny Boy Brewing, and although he was retired, he decided to advertise his financial services business in the magazine.

Frank believed that many individuals and small businesses are underserved by the financial community—including those in the natural-health, wellness and green-living sector.

“One of the reasons that motivated me to offer financial and investment assistance to this segment was because, over the years, members of the spiritual community have been a big help to me,” he said.

I met Frank for lunch at the end of 2019 and had several conversations with him after he became an advertiser, and I always looked forward to our chats. He was relatively new to the Charlotte area, and I admired his giving spirit and community outreach. My thoughts are with his family.