Beware
Since 2019, the Lebanese economy has been deteriorating at an alarming pace, its disintegration leading to the collapse of the country’s banking system, a massive devaluation of the local currency, decomposition of all administrative structures, and shortage in essential goods including food, electricity, water, or gas. As a result, the shelves in pharmacies and supermarkets are empty, the streets are plunged into darkness, the prices increase by the hour, the food is rotting in the poorly operating fridges, and once-prestigious salaries in Lebanese lira have turned into monopoly money that cannot cover even the minimum necessities in food.
Given my collaboration with a Lebanese NGO on UN-funded humanitarian aid programs, these stories are not impersonal news that I read on the internet. Instead, I have the painful privilege to observe almost first-hand the step-by-step downfall of a nation into the abyss.
Despite the impact of these challenges on my friends’ lives and the implementation of our programs, I usually choose to maintain a nonchalant attitude, preserving peace, clarity of mind, and faith in the positive outcome of our efforts. Still, I recently caught myself dreading the process of going to the gas station to fill my car’s tank – to my surprise, projecting the discomfort of the Lebanese people who have to queue for hours under the scorching sun to get (if they are lucky) a gallon of petrol that will barely cover their transportation needs.
I face no deprivation of any kind and pride myself on my unwavering trust in the unfolding of life; yet, I succumbed, even if for a second, to anxiety – an illusion that, clearly, in the specific case was not even applicable to me. Apparently, negative thoughts can wedge themselves into our minds, penetrating the most impregnable of strongholds. Thankfully, the same can happen with the positive ones as well. So, although sometimes we cannot distance ourselves from the practical challenges that surround us, we can beware of the thoughts we choose to allow into the sanctum of our soul. Easier said than done, but it is worth the effort. After all, this can be the thin line that separates prosperity from stagnation, happiness from despair. Given that the essence of our lives depends on it, what thoughts would we choose today?
