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Listen to your elder’s advice. Not because they are always right, but because they have more experiences of being wrong. --Unknown
Tune Into The Wisdom Of Elders: This tiny invisible virus, Covid-19, forced a great deal of humanity to stop in its tracks. Some of us are sheltered with family, while some are alone with no contact with the outside world. The elderly are the most vulnerable both to the effects of the virus and to being isolated. In some cultures, this isolation and neglect of the elders began long before the Covid-19 outbreak, while in other cultures, elders are highly revered and honored. No matter in what culture, everyone has something to be thankful for their elders. They not only provided sustenance for our parents or us when they were younger, but also nurtured us with stories, advice and great insights. For this challenge, we invite you to connect with the elders in your family or community. If you are not sheltering with them, you can send a letter, check in by phone or via an online video call. Practice deep listening with them. With their consent, record the conversation, their stories and reflections, online or in-person. It will be a treasure one day. Some possible conversation starters, or questions to ask, could be: How are you doing? Is there anything you need? How do you get through difficult times? What have you learned from difficult times in the past, such as wartime, the Great Depression or other hardships? What was a moment that changed your life? What has been your greatest secret to face difficulties? What have you learned from this Covid-19 experience? What inspires you the most? How would you define yourself in three words and why? What is an innovation or quality that society most needs these days?
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REFLECT AND SHARE
Share your reflection on a dedicated feed on KindSpring, and by the end you'll have a collection of beautiful entries in one place! You can also read thoughts from other people and browse through additional resources and inspiration.
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