In Crisis' We Discover What Matters

You don't have anybody to talk to, then this crisis will have been valuable. Maybe it has awakened some people to another one of my most constant themes. You need friends. Remember, date for friends like you dated for a spouse? How often I've said that. And by the way, isn't it interesting, the thing that so many Americans are most preoccupied with is the one that least matters now? Professional success. What? Get into a good college, get into a good graduate school, get a good job, get a good job, right? That was it. That's, that's like all of life, and that's the least important now. Now the most important is family, friends, hobbies, religion. Right? Turns out that having gone to Yale doesn't really matter, does it? It means, as they say in Yiddish, bupkis. Yes, indeed. All right, y'all. Now, that's a sweet thing. Elaine in Prescott, Arizona is doing something very nice. Hello, Elaine.

Hi there.

Hi there.

So, yeah, after, you know, hearing about the people that are in our local nursing homes and assisted living and whatever, we decided that, you know, I have a lot of card paper here and I thought maybe share a little joy. So my husband and I sat down and for one of the groups, there were 80 residents. And I just sent two little cards, one that says, uh, we're sending you a virtual hug and hope it brings a smile because your friends and family can't visit for a while.

Hmm.

So what do you do then? Do you mail it? Do you drop it off? What do you do?

No, I've been, uh, we're going to drop it off.

Oh, that's right. So, so they're physical cards.

Yes.

That's a beautiful thing. That's great. It's like the Prager Force kids calling up folks, anyone who wants a call, right? Do we generally recommend that they be on the older side or does it doesn't matter? It's irrelevant. You just want to hear from a young Prager Force person. You're going to get a call. A lot of people are alone now and my heart does go out to you. I want you to also not mope. I mean, all these rules apply. Actually, it's better to be alone than stuck with someone you don't like. Between the two, there's no question about that. So there's always the possibility things could be worse, as dark as that sounds. Okay, everybody, let's go to Kirk in New— oh, New Rochelle. Wow, you guys got hit. Hi, Kirk in New Rochelle.

Hello, it's always good to talk to you. We were hit, but it's getting better. Patient zero recovered, and, you know, things are looking on the bright side. So I find it's important, especially as a young person, not to completely degenerate— degenerate in a time like this. So I made it a point to maintain a routine. And a big part of my routine, which I miss a lot now, is I go to orchestra concerts every week. And obviously they have to stop, you know, large crowds and all. And so my little stereo system is getting a good workout lately.

Ah, you're a man after my own heart. Music is a gift of God. In fact, I think music is an argument for God. That's a good use, that's true. Why did New Rochelle get so hit? Do you, Alan, do you know the story there? There's no rhyme or reason on why.

There was a person who—

Oh, that's right, there was a person who, yes, who started it. That's right, yes. All right, another young person, Matthew in Vandalia, Missouri. Hi.

Hello, Dennis. How's it going?

Well, for me, good. For my country, it's troubled.

Yeah, I feel that one. Well, I'm calling in response to a question you asked earlier and, you know, what do we, what do we do to stay happy when, you know, amidst all this crisis stuff going on? And, you know, basically I had a Sunday school lesson the last week before, you know, church was canceled when all this first happened. And that Sunday school lesson was God is always in control. And I find, I find myself thinking about that more than ever nowadays.

And that's helpful.

Extremely helpful, you know.

I would imagine it would be. Are you— are you right now with your parents?

I am not. I, I live alone right now in a— on a farmhouse. I help take care of cattle and row crop and all that good stuff.

So there is a family in the main house?

Yeah, the curses, right?

Uh, do you see them?

Oh yeah, every day.

Oh, so you have human interaction?

Oh, I do, yeah.

Okay, what do you— so are you still working all day on the farm?

Well, yeah, mostly. I'm, I'm working right now actually, but I was able to get a call in.

So what exactly are you doing?

Well, earlier today I was hauling anhydrous for, you know, for my boss to work in the field with the fertilizer. And right now I'm heading back home with another fertilizer batch.

I love that he's listening to the show while transporting fertilizer. I have to say, people who don't like me think I transport fertilizer for a living. We'll be back in a moment.