By Lloyd McAlister
CALM in times of crisis should be the result of an active state of mind. Be calm. Do CALM. Consider relevant facts, assess the impact of those facts, lead with responsible decision making and minister to others.
Global health crisis. Global political upheaval. Global economic collapse. 2020? No, not just 2020, but the history of mankind! A somewhat common state of affairs on this spinning globe we call earth is the uncertainty and danger associated with the condition of mankind.
How shall we then live, confronted as we are with our desire for certainty and a sense of control, in uncertain times in a world which seems very much out of control? As counselors at law, serving individuals and families in the legal aspects of their relationships and activities, we here at the law firm feel a responsibility and have an opportunity to help our clients plan for and navigate the troubled waters of life. It may sound exaggerated and dramatic, but the concerns that jump off the front pages of our newspapers and newsfeeds are real and have very real consequences for us which demand our attention, our concern and, if we are wise, our thoughtful responses.
Hopefully, these words will help you and those dear to you address the twin realities of uncertainty in the world around us and our lack of personal control over circumstances which affect us.
CONSIDER: Consider the facts, including the uncertainty inherent in those facts. Are deaths in China a fact of relevance to you today? For some of us, possibly; for most of us, no. Are contagious illnesses in our community a relevant fact for you today? Absolutely, always have been, always will be. Is the price of tea in China a fact of relevance to you today? For some of us, possibly; for most of us, no. Is the availability and price of essential food in your local grocery (or your online grocery service) a relevant fact for you today? Absolutely; except for the totally self-sufficient among us, the availability and price of our food always has been a relevant fact, always will be.
ASSESS: Assess the real impact of the relevant facts upon your life today and for the foreseeable future. Though extreme (and extremely unlikely) circumstances could make the need for a year’s supply of toilet paper a reality, truthfully, the need for a year’s supply should be a low concern today. You would not know that to watch the news about runs on toilet paper in local stores. A more realistic concern would be whether you have essential supplies for daily living for a reasonable period of time, considering the possibility of supply shortages due to so-called supply chain disruption (a rational possibility in a global marketplace) or due to irrational panic buying and hoarding by some of our fellow citizens.
LEAD: Lead, both in your private life and in your public life, with responsible decision making. You may never have considered your own daily decision making as being a form of leadership but daily decision making in one’s personal life is the place where true leadership begins. Indeed, it is where the greatest impact of leadership is felt by each of us and those who depend upon us in family, faith, and work. The President’s decisions about international travel bans are of great interest and potential personal concern but, for most of us, our own decisions about where we go today are unaffected by the President’s decisions. And, whether the President’s decisions are relevant to you today or not (we have dear friends traveling internationally today; we care about the arrangements they must make to remain safe and return home to us), undoubtedly there are personal decisions you can make today to lead wisely in your corner of this big, connected world.
MINISTER. Here at the law firm, we share the conviction that our work, though the source of our families’ livelihoods, is what some call a vocational ministry. We aren’t just here to make a living. We are here to serve others and help meet their needs and the needs of their families and businesses. The uncertainties of daily life present each of us with opportunities to serve others, to help them meet their needs and, in doing so, help one another deal with the uncertainty in the world around us and the dangers those uncertainties present. As we Consider the facts that are truly relevant to decisions we must make today and as we Assess the impact of those facts upon our life and the lives of those dependent upon us, we have the opportunity and indeed the necessity to Lead with responsible decision making. In doing these things, thoughtfully giving consideration to the counsel of trusted advisors (good counsel, like charity, begins at home!), you and I serve others and help them meet the true needs of their day. And, in that, we’ve fulfilled our purpose in being here.
May you and I be a CALM influence today: Considering the facts relevant to decisions we must make, Assessing the impact of those decisions for us and those dependent upon us, Leading first ourselves in the very personal and private decisions of our day and then others by both example and in the more public decisions, we may have the privilege and authority to make and, last, Ministering to others. It has been said that we don’t need to think less of ourselves but we may need to think less about ourselves! As you are CALM today, you will undoubtedly be helpful to others.
