Year 2020: Can I have my deposit back?

Complainants: Reasons for refund request: We grant problems from 2019 – like where is “truth”. Social media? Mainstream media? What you can see? Institutional peer reviewed expertise? Séance science? 2019 had a bad “what is reality” virus. And our U.S. President under impeachment charges. So January 2020 had “pre-existing conditions”.

But then February brought “the COVID”. Unexpected - some people said it was a hoax. March-May brought The Shutdown. Dislocating, unfair. We want a refund.

2020 replies: U.S.A. administrations from G.W.Bush on AIDs and Obama on Ebola faced disease. In 2019 HHS and Homeland Security ran an exercise in 12 states and Washington D.C. on a (hypothesized) flu epidemic beginning in China. The October 2019 draft report showed preparation problems COVID proved. Who listened? Oregon Lions Disaster Response Committee has been trying to get Oregon Lions to prepare for disasters for 10 years. Ignore the warnings on the package you don’t get a refund.

2020: this country was born with racism as the basis for extracting labor from some people to benefit slaveholders and placating non-slaveholders (many of whom also profited) with myths of their “superiority.” Some people of all colors opposed that from the start. Not a problem 2020 created. Most 2020 Oregon protesters just wanted a level playing field. Police? They are supposed to be trained to use violence to protect citizens; yet abuse of that power is a global challenge race or ethnic prejudices make worse. Oregon Lions who are or have been police know that. Lions International President Dr. Jung-Yul Choi made Diversity his theme in 2019-2020. For 2020-2021 he said: Kindness and Diversity. Let’s go there.

Grant 2020 has been stressful –too many “Chickens coming home to roost.” Nevertheless, meanwhile our family, friend and Lion circles also experienced private heartbreaks. Some lost jobs, lost sight, fought cancer, suffered crime or suicide. No one gets time or people back. We live irreparable loss. Opening our arms and working together can help. Kindness heals.

For this season, recognize the stress and possible heartbreak in everyone you see and call on your own capacity for Kindness in connecting with other Lions, friends, and family members. Fellowship is a major reason Lions give for their staying with their Clubs. Remember, under stress, people often criticize quickly, without having full information of details or the load the other person is carrying. Listen without passing judgment – even when you’re the target. Empathize with feelings and frustration, don’t rush to confirm or deny “facts” (especially if you’re not sure of them.) For yourself, find someone you can vent to, who will keep quiet. Could be a fellow Lion. Defuse first. Find ways to address the problem after.

Patience is a partner of Kindness. We will miss so much personal and physical comfort the Holiday season usually provides. Let’s enter 2021 with Patience and Kindness.

Call On Your Own Capacity for Kindness