History Repeats Itself… What Can We Learn?

I came across this poem written in 1869, reprinted during the 1919 Pandemic.

It was written in 1869 by Kathleen O’Mara:

And people stayed at home
And read books
And listened
And they rested
And did exercises
And made art and played
And learned new ways of being
And stopped and listened
More deeply
Someone meditated, someone prayed
Someone met their shadow
And people began to think differently
And people healed.
And in the absence of people who
Lived in ignorant ways
Dangerous, meaningless and heartless,
The earth also began to heal
And when the danger ended and
People found themselves
They grieved for the dead
And made new choices
And dreamed of new visions
And created new ways of living
And completely healed the earth
Just as they were healed.

Reprinted during the Spanish flu
Pandemic, 1919

The days we are living now will refine and change who we are, as an individual, as a nation and as a world.

Fire refines out the impure, unwanted elements – creating space for the pure, refined, the best, and what is important.  It is in seasons like this that we stop and take inventory.  We check ourselves: spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally.

As you slow down, what are you discovering about yourself and your priorities? 

How are you becoming refined? 

As you read the poem today, what struck you?  –  Please share your thoughts.