Dark times can be made brighter by focusing on the light—I encourage you to acknowledge this light when you see it, and to do whatever you can to nurture it and bring it to others. For some hope and brightness during this crisis, we don’t have to look further than our student community: take, for example, the efforts of McGill medical students, who have raised money to provide essential health-care workers with hot meals and have supported local restaurants in the process. Another McGill student back home in Sudbury, Ontario has organized a volunteer collective to help pick up and deliver groceries to those in need. Another student-led initiative is helping clinicians at the MUHC adapt to delivering health care remotely. And I know there are countless more acts of kindness from McGill students across the world helping to make things a little better. It's incredible to see how situations like this one can uncover new threads of connection, even as we remain apart.
As we work to help each other, it’s important to also take time for ourselves. Find some stillness in hectic days with a daily Zen in 10 mindfulness session with the Wellness Hub; if you are able, get out for a walk to take in some fresh air and sunshine; for a little bit of brightness in your social feed, have a look at McGill’s social media call for campus photos. Keep holding on, and above all, remember to lead with kindness: towards your neighbours, towards your peers, and towards yourself.
Ça va bien aller.