We’ve spent the last few weeks discussing and writing our TEDx talk, finding the best way to tell our story of discovery, connection and, above all, hope and I don’t want to give anything anyway before the talk in April, but the message we want to share with you cannot wait seven weeks, especially with this virus and the effects it’s having on society at the forefront of our minds. We all need to hear it now.
What if I told you that, on our journey, we have come across something pretty incredible, something that is revolutionising the future of our society and spreading throughout our country just as fast as the Coronavirus is, but infecting us with hope instead? What we’ve discovered is that our value system as a nation is shifting monumentally, and continues to shift a little more with every ordinary person who sees the need for change in their community and stands up and makes a difference.
Starting when we’re children and continuing throughout our entire lives, we are taught to pursue materialism, but are now coming to realise that material things are not what make us happy. Possessions can so easily become worthless, whilst human connection is strong and runs deep. If we invest in our communities now, it doesn’t matter how much we earn or how well we did at school or how big our house is any more because life becomes about caring and not counting and a value system based on community excludes no one.
Our generation don’t have a ton of hope for the future – our planet is being destroyed, knife crime and violence are on the rise, it’s unlikely we’ll ever be able to afford to own our own homes, we’re in the midst of a mental health crisis and now there’s this virus to contend with too, but putting our energy into our communities gives us something we can all believe in and contribute to, as well as a support network of people who care. If the value system changes now, whilst we’re young, and we grow up caring about the people around us instead of feeling lost and resentful , the future we will go on to create looks a whole lot brighter.
We all have a choice when it comes to how we personally deal with the Coronavirus and other issues our society faces – we can become fearful, distrustful, insular and self centred or we can pull together. I recently saw on the news that there has been an outbreak of the virus in the town of Buckie in North East Scotland, but if there’s anyone who will pull together when they’re struggling, it’s them, as we spent some time there on our journey and the strength of their community spirit blew us away. I have no doubt that they’ll get through this – together, as a community.
It’s like, amongst the chaos, all these shoots of hope are springing up everywhere, not just naturally but because they have been deliberately planted by people who see the desperate need to make a difference. But why now? Maybe it’s like new growth after a fire that destroys everything. Maybe it’s just the right time for change.These shoots are the beginning of a new value system and when they connect at the root they are what stops our society becoming an unsurvivable and hostile desert.
We’re not sure of how everything will pan out, but it might turn out that we have to stay at the farm where we live for awhile instead of going off travelling as we planned. We’ve ordered a load of food so if we wanted to we could just hole ourselves up, but we have a whole community around us as well so, if the whole situation with the Coronavirus goes downhill, we plan to grow food, cook for people, create a space where everyone’s welcome and use it as an opportunity to bring our community closer together. Have you ever heard the story of stone soup? Individually they had nothing, the odd carrot here, some salt and pepper there, but together they created a hearty meal that fed them all and kept them going.
The change is happening, people. Are you in or are you out?
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Share your thoughts in the comments 👇 xx
Ahhh, so true Gracie! I always love hearing from you! Also, your graphics are gorgeous! ❤
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Thank you so much, Hannah 💙 And haha that’s Pinterest, I’m afraid. I’m usually much better with words than images, though I’d like to improve my graphic design skills xx
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Yes! I always love the messages you stand for. ❤ Hope is something that is so needed by everyone,
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Thank you you so much Grace 💙 I agree completely 😊
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Great way to put things into perspective! As a whole all we can do is take things day by day. Do the best we can. I do have hope for the future. I don’t know what to expect, but I know I will continually make the best of things.
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Thank you so much Tiana! Things are changing for the better and we can all be part of it. Stay positive xx
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Asians and other ethnic groups have been facing animosity because of the Coronavirus. If we could all work together as a group instead of casting others aside, we could work as a group to solve issues. Gracie, you words are comforting and thank you for inspiring hope in us all.
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Exactly. People become fearful and distrustful when really we should be pulling closer together. I see more of a future in a society where people work together for the good of us all than where we all become for insular and self centred. Thank you so much, Lucy. Means a lot x
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Beautiful post 😭 I hope we all stay safe and hopeful in this kind of crisis. I pray that not everyone will be eaten by fear, as well!
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Thank you. So do I 💕
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The Coronavirus has taken a completely new face in India/ other Asian countries. So many people are so overwhelmed and panicked by it but it just makes me realise that these same people did nothing when scientists talked about climate change or pollution or other issues. Like I read somewhere, “It isn’t about whether or not you listen, but what directly affects you” and that is so accurate, especially for (a lot of) Indians.
Loved hearing from you, as always, Gracie! I can’t wait for your Ted Talk, it’s going to be amazing! 💕
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Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, Mukta!! Ahhh thank you 💛💛
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I certainly agree with you – I really hope that people start to see the value of community during their time in social isolation. Stay safe 💖
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I really missed these strong-valued posts!! I guess your TEDx talk would be a much awaited hit, especially because, to be honest, this community thing sounds fabulous. I am absolutely sure that there are hundreds like me, clueless about the difference communities can bring (I’m better now!! With all the inputs from you :)) ) I guess you’d have to atleast see it once to understand.
But then right in front of me, I can see the ENTIRE world coming together as one because of the virus. And somehow, somewhere inside us, THAT feels pretty incredible. That maybe we won’t be lost completely. ❤
Sending loads of love Gracie.
XXXX
P.S. (Still mad at your phone though. Lol)
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Ahhhh I’ve missed you in the blogosphere!! Community is so necessary and I just want to use this blog to help share that and make more people aware!
And yes, I hope this crazy, horrible situation makes people realise that we need each other and that when it comes down to it, the most valuable thing human beings have is the power to connect with one another.
Love youuu♥️
And yes I know me too lol
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I’m so late to this post but it was absolutely amazing and inspiring to read!! I wanted to amplify what Mukta said above- most people only care and take action against crises that actively impact them. Climate change and racism etc impacts SO many people and will keep impacting yet lots of people deny and ignore them, failing to take the necessary action. Hope is so important in these difficult times and I’m so glad that you brought it up. Waiting eagerly for your TED!! ❤ x
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Ahh thank you so much! I think you’re absolutely right, we all rise to the occasion when a crisis directly affects us, but the truth is that if it has an impact on the world we live in then it will eventually have an impact on us as well. Thanks again for your comment, there are lots of things to be hopeful about, for sure xx
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Of course! Yes I totally agree x
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Aw thank you for sharing all your positive thoughts at a time like this. Personal blogs are what’s getting me through this period of isolation so thank you for this space <3.
-M
The Life of Little Me
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I’m glad to be of some encouragement lovely 😊
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Heyyyy lovely! Letting you know I nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award! https://gayleseverylittlething.wordpress.com/2020/04/15/mystery-blogger-award/
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Tyyysmmm❤️
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Hi gracie!
Your blog is awesome!
This is my blogs address:
Itzevinhere.blogspot.com
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Thank you! I’ll check it out x
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Omg gracie You replied this early!!!!!!!!
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Waiting for your next post👏👏
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Hey, awesome post! Really, really encouraging. Also, just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for an award. You are by no means required to participate, but I’d be super honored if you did! I only nominated bloggers I truly admire, so you are easily on the list. 🙂
Thanks!
https://elishamcfarland.com/2020/06/17/the-kennedy-award-of-excellence/
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Thank you so much! I appreciate that and I’ll check it out :))
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100%, gracie. im a great hoper as well ❤
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