'After spending two weeks wiped out by Covid, here is what I learnt during my recovery' - comment from Warwick Quakers

Every week, religious leaders write for our 'I Believe' column. This week, Meg Harper of the Warwick Quaker Meeting talks about her recovery from Covid-19
By Meg Harper
Published 23rd Dec 2020, 11:33 BST
Updated 23rd Dec 2020, 11:34 BST
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I Believe

Meg Harper

Warwick Quaker Meeting

Every week, religious leaders write for our 'I Believe' column. This week, Meg Harper of the Warwick Quaker Meeting talks about her recovery from Covid-19Every week, religious leaders write for our 'I Believe' column. This week, Meg Harper of the Warwick Quaker Meeting talks about her recovery from Covid-19
Every week, religious leaders write for our 'I Believe' column. This week, Meg Harper of the Warwick Quaker Meeting talks about her recovery from Covid-19
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I have spent the last two weeks wiped out by Covid. Emerging from that extremely unpleasant and frightening experience, what can I share with you about my beliefs?

I'm just beginning to enjoy reading again and am part-way through ‘The Failure of Success – Redefining What Matters’ by the Quaker, Jennifer Kavanagh. In it, she quotes the famous pianist, Arthur Rubenstein: ‘Of course, there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.’

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That, I think, sums it up. I certainly railed against how ill I felt, especially on day 10 – but there was no point. Acceptance was more conducive to sleep and recovery! We can give way to anger and despair or we can accept what life has brought us and make the best of it. I see so many people doing just that, lighting up their gardens for the delight of others (where I live, someone has made an enchanting little ‘elf-house’ at the bottom of a tree) or creating wonderfully entertaining memes to share online.

I believe in the practice of gratitude. Perhaps the idea of a gratitude diary (writing down three things which are ‘blessings’ each and every day) seems hackneyed – but let me recommend it nonetheless. Even on my worst Covid days, I was grateful for my comfy bed, the kindness of my partner and texts from friends. Do it for long enough and you will find yourself noticing the ‘blessings’ as they happen, even in your darkest times.

I used to struggle to understand how St Paul could write these words: ‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.’ (Philippians 4)

Perhaps this coming year, more than ever, I am recognising that it is a choice that I can make too, not a special supernatural gift.