The
Fortress of Solitude
30 July 2020
Perspective is a powerful thing. Watching my community and the world react to current events has reminded me of this concept time and again. Specifically, how a person reacts to being told to do something for their and the safety of others.
In mid-2004, I was told to leave my home. I was sent to a semi-isolated location. I was provided gear and training on that gear. I was told to wear that gear. I was expected to look out for the safety of myself and those around me. Later that year, I was sent to a completely isolated location. I wore what I was told. I did what was expected of me. I was never promised that doing what I was told would protect me from all danger, but it would decrease my personal risk and the risk for those I was with. I did not question what I was told. I accepted it as reasonable precaution and with thoughtfulness for those around me.
Late in 2005, my part in that event was over and I returned to my normal life along with almost all of those that were isolated with me, but a few did not find safe passage home. Of the few, it was not failure to take precaution or lack of protection. It was the simple fact that the threat overwhelmed the preparation. A person can prepare, can act, but an antagonist can always present a scenario that either unaccounted for or through sheer determination, will defeat the precautionary actions taken.
That period of time, I was a soldier. I could have objected to do as I was told and if I did, there would have been repercussions. There is always a risk vs cost case for any decision. I chose to do as I was told and the result was favorable for me and many, many of those with me at that time.
As a people, we do things all the time that we are told to do for our own safety. It’s a matter of survival. It's not a conspiracy. It doesn’t make us lambs for slaughter. In most cases, it makes us stronger.
Ultimately, choosing to do something to aid your survival in this life is your choice. You can choose. A government, a scientist, a friend or a family member can tell or ask you to do something, but it is your choice to act or not. To do or to not.
History is full of examples of people making choices about their safety that, in hindsight, were absolutely correct or horrendously wrong. As I see it, we are in the middle of one of those moments now. Like so many times before, the choice of millions of individuals is unfolding. Only now, its real time. Those choices are laid bare for all to see with hourly updates brought right into your home. History is being written and rewritten every second. It is rare in our experience to witness the outcome of our choices so readily in our own timeframe.
As a soldier, it's easy to be told and to act. It is ingrained in me to always strive for the best and safest course of action for myself and those I care for (and even those I don't know). Tell me I'm safer if I stay home. No problem. Tell me to stay away from others. No problem. Tell me I should wear PPE when I have to be around people or in public. No…problem…
Yes, I miss going where I want, when I want and hanging out with others. I want to leave my house and go. These are not sacrifices. These are hopefully just temporary inconveniences. This is my 'gift' to my community, friends and family. I will do what I can to not catch and/or spread a contagion. It is a simple choice that I make for me, mine and maybe for you. All it takes is a little patience and a willingness to truly care about the outcome of our actions.
In a world of instant gratification, being asked to have patience for any duration longer than it takes to change clothes has become a burden too heavy to bear for some. I think on our ancestors version of patience vs ours. And we don’t have to go back far in history to see how exponentially different their definition of patience is compared to now. Add to this the things they had to do or were willing to do to protect themselves from the scourges of their time. Really, think on it. I realize how trivial our trials really are. With all we have at our fingertips, a little compliance and patience is such small price to pay.
Perspective. Am I wired different? I don’t think so. I want to be safe and not cause harm. I am not offended when asked to act in a way to help my fellow man. It is a choice. That is all. We all have it in ourselves to safeguard our existence. It's called a survival instinct. All we need now is a willingness to see this through. It's simple, really. Protect yourself and in that act, protect everyone. Only when we are all rowing in the same direction will we all find a normality we can live with.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Baron
Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
CAL, MLU, CBB, CACM, CKP, CAS
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Squire to Earl Benen Mac Tire, KSCA, OL, OP
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
