The Little Blue Book

There is a quote, its authorship lost, which says: “Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.” “Strength and character” – just two words, filled with meaning, that can tell us so much about ourselves: the kindness we show, patience, our courage when tested, love for each other, love of family. This is what will carry us through to the other side of the coronavirus pandemic that is now challenging us all. How long will this last? When will we see the end to it, will it be months or a year or more? How will we cope financially, how will our children cope? There are so many questions, but so few answers. Some of us – many, in fact – will be struggling with this ‘new dawn’ we have woken to. Few of us have experience of global catastrophe. And even the strongest of us will be troubled. The fact is, we don’t know what’s ahead – and we can only guess as to how long this pandemic will continue to dominate our lives. But it will end, and we will survive it. And we will emerge to resume our lives, changed, perhaps wiser, possibly poorer, but also possibly enriched for what we discover about ourselves and our connection to community. INTRODUCTION ADA Australia 8