[Dutch Lock Down Day Two Hundred Four]
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
But first the news:
- More than 1,000 coronavirus patients in hospital, EU secures new Remdesivir supplies
- First rapid Covid tests approved; 100% accuracy
- People in the Netherlands support stricter coronavirus measures
To observe this World Health Organization initiative, Equinix is giving us two days off!
“As a reminder, we are implementing a global company shutdown on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 in recognition of World Mental Health Day. We want employees to be able to take a nice break from work – at Equinix’s expense.
No need to put in for PTO. Just take some much-deserved time off for yourself. (Mission-critical employees unable to take those days off will receive two other wellness days prior to Dec. 31, 2020.)
So what will you be doing on your days off? We’d love to know! Once you return, be sure to share a photo from your time off via the #LifeAtEquinix module on The Hub’s home page.
Because enjoying a hike, swim or a Netflix movie (or six or seven) on your company-provided wellness days is life at Equinix…. And we can’t wait to see how you take advantage of it.”
Good timing, Universe.
But, typical Leander, I totally forgot and ‘came into the office’ – checked email and slack and found a couple of messages waiting for me.
Including a Dutch poem.
“You are a child of the universe”
“Be calm in the midst of the noise and haste and think what a peace there can be in silence. Be on good terms with other people without harming yourself. Speak your truth calmly and clearly and listen to others, they too tell their story. Avoid loud and aggressive people, they vex the mind. When you compare yourself to others you may become vain and bitter because there will always be greater and lesser people than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep an interest in your own work, however humble it may be. It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in business, because the world is full of deceit. But don’t let this blind you to the existing virtue. Many people pursue high ideals and life is full of heroism everywhere.
Be yourself. Don’t feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity it is as perennial as the grass. Follow the years with grace, don’t long for a time that is behind you. Cultivate spirit to be protected from unexpected adversity, but don’t grief yourself with ghosts. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Impose a healthy discipline on yourself, but be kind to yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here. And whether it is clear to you or not, the universe is unfolding as it is unfolding and so it is good. Therefore, be at peace with God, however you think they may be. Keep your soul at peace in the noisy confusion of life. With all its tinsel, gloom, and broken dreams, this is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive for happiness.“
Text found in the old Baltimore church dated 1692
Sometimes you feel like you’ve been run over by a car and a bike and a boat and a train, like nothing can help and you just want the pain to stop, and sometimes help arrives at just the right time, picks you up, brushes you off, and tells you that you’re a child of the Universe.
Thank you, Equinix.
Thank you, colleagues and friends and family.
And, yes, thank you, Universe.
You’ve got seriously fucking incredible timing.
Thank you.