Dear John, many thanks for sharing this. I like your candour. Yes, we live in very troubled times and most of us have been affected somehow but bad things don't last forever and even C19 will someday fade away, though gradually.
As a Zen person, I accept in patience and humility,
I don't want to swim against the tide, life is in perpetual flux, I am never in control, I roll with the punches and, in doing this, I am able to keep myself afloat and also acquire some tranquillity in letting go.
To feel fear is to surrender to a power outside us.
If we can move away from the self and look beyond our defensive attitude, fear seems to have lesser control over us. And I think the best antidote against fear is to reach out to love to make our lives meaningful and , at the same time, to care for others
who suffer more than we and are in immediate need for consolation. Viktor Frankl was right---when there's meaning, suffering ceases.
I do know mental health has loomed as a huge issue these days and a large number of young people have been severely affected and urgent intervention is necessary.
Dear John, you are a very intelligent person and I know you will prevail.
Kindest wishes from Melb