This little COVID-19 virus that is bringing everything to its knees is also highlighting the fragility of out multi-billion dollar businesses and showing the cracks in leadership around the world.

There isn't a day that goes by without hearing something controversial on COVID-19. Real news mixes with fake news to a never-ending stream of maybes, new discoveries, and shocking horror stories compiled on top of a few struggling good news.

Without naming any stories, I welcome Monday afternoons as a neighbor of ours who plays in the city Symphonie plays with his children on their porch.

But with all of this confusion, one thing stands out. How have we come here? How did we get here? How did we let things get so bad an administration blocks much needed protective gear from first responders? Local leaders have been, well, less than stellar. Busines that until last year were rolling in money are now begging governments for money?

In all these leadership failures, I find two things extremely interesting. Countries run by women fared the pandemic better than by men. Taiwan was prepared since 2003. Locals are engaging more than ever questioning their previous lifestyles. And politicians fight for elections as if the world hadn't changed.

The child in me doesn't understand how we go here when it was screaming against complacency. It's difficult to see beauty and ugliness at the same time. Maybe that's what they meant when they said Earth was an amazing kaleidoscope of activities and events.

"You forget your feet when the shoes are comfortable. You forget your waist when the belt is comfortable. Understanding forgets right and wrong when the mind is comfortable. There is no change in what is inside, no following what is outside, when the adjustment to events is comfortable. You begin with what is comfortable and never experience what is uncomfortable when you know the comfort of forgetting what is comfortable."

This strikes me as particularly a propos considering our self-imposed isolation due to the Covid-19 spread. This lock down of sorts is wearing and testing many. I know I'm not alone either. It's this unease at facing what is inside. How ridiculous. What is there that I would fear inside?

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KNOWLEDGE WANDERED North to the banks of the Black Waters, climbed the Knoll of Hidden Heights, and there by chance came upon Do-Nothing-Say-Nothing. Knowledge said to Do-Nothing-Say-Nothing, "There are some things I'd like to ask you. What sort of pondering, what sort of cogitation does it take to know the Way? What sort of surroundings, what sort of practices does it take to find rest in the Way? What sort of path, what sort of procedure will get me to the Way?"

Three questions he asked, but Do-Nothing-Say-Nothing didn't answer. It wasn't that he just didn't answer - he didn't know how to answer!

There is a big white dog that is socially awkward at the park. A rescue that comes on strong and forceful. We thought my two chocolate labs could mellow that dog.

Kozak is a fun-loving but deep down stressed dog. He was always that way. His lucky-go-round attitude betrays deep anxieties. Pablo, his brother is more down to Earth. It takes him a little longer to warm up. A little more socially awkward, it takes him longer to warm up. But when he does he plays in the funniest ways. And when he does, this hundred bound dog jumps using his front paws in ways that make you smile.

Those two couldn't be any more different. I jokingly say Kozak is a reincarnated rugby player while Pablo is still questioning this whole dog thingy.

The dog barked angrily at them. He came on so strong and it shocked Kozak. He flattened out like a pancake at my feet. His normal outgoing nature is now skittish. On the other side, Pablo came sitting next to me scoping the situation. The white dog came running full speeds many times next to them. Taunting them, waiting for a reply after a while Pablo barked him off. I had never seen a chocolate lab bark off another dog. It was impressive. I still have shivers running down my back.

But little Kozak never quite recovered. He's shy now. He doesn't play as much with other dogs. He'll only play with Pablo. And he still plays rough, so rough Pablo doesn't want to play with him. His initial reaction with other dogs is open and frank, but he stops, turns around and comes back tome. He used to be so carefree. He's shocked.

It's amazing how much these dogs have taught me. Sometimes I see life through their personalities. I see a lot of their personalities in my wife and me. I also see my brother and me as kids. And then it hit me.

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