Epic quest progress report: Today is day 30. Total words: 12,268.

There are a lot of ways we can negotiate this crisis.

We can mock the president, blame him for acting too slowly, make fun of his off-the-cuff remarks that sound so unlike what we expect from a president.

Or we can mock those who see COVID-19 as a threat, refuse to wear masks or practice social distancing when we go out in public.

We can disregard those who see the shutdown as a threat to the economy, because after all, if too many people die, the economy won’t matter anymore.

Or we can disregard those who see reopening as a threat to public health, because after all, if the economy were to really and truly collapse, it could kill more people than the disease.

We can reject the science because the scientists didn’t vote our way.

Or we can reject the protests because the protesters didn’t vote our way.

We can find someone to blame.

We can find someone to make fun of.

We can find someone to hate.

Or we can look around us and ask, How can I help?

Because blame and mockery and hate feel good now. They make us feel powerful because they make others seem less powerful.

But finding a way to help–finding a way to make life a little better for those around us–that feels good in a way blaming and mocking and hating never can. Because when you stand up and help another person, you make two people better. And even if it’s not obvious in the short run, that’s where true power lies.

So next time you’re tempted to blame or mock or hate, maybe take a moment and ask How can I help? instead.