CHARMAINE LAGMAN

Lifestyle Asia Cover Personality (August 2019)

I realized that the best kind of self-care in this time begins with a strong sense of community. This begins with the family. Whether in crisis or in peace, my family and I have always made time for each other: whether in person with Anya who just got back from LA (my youngest daughter) or thanks to technology, online with my children in New York, Elijah and Mica. Being united as a family unit helps me realize that the wider world is composed of families in blood or choice, and that I have a responsibility to them as I do to my loved ones to weather the storm together: in love and solidarity, with faith, hope, and charity.

To my family, friends and the frontliners, do not lose hope when faced with these challenging times. Rather, take this as an opportunity to strengthen our faith in humanity. Through collective action, we can make a difference. Together, we build each other up by caring for one another and can be a light of hope for the most vulnerable among us. Let's start by building good habits and being more mindful of our actions so we can come out of this as better people filled with hope and love.

For me, critical reflection is important. In a time of collective healing, we need to honor those who sacrificed the most for the least fortunate victims of this pandemic. Inspired by these events of philanthropy, I hope to do my own part in supporting others so that we may heal together and learn from each other. To do that concretely is to act differently—that is, to be my own person and not fall prey to those who want to take advantage of myself or others. When this is all over, we'll all be vulnerable with stories to tell. I hope to listen to these accounts with an open ear, to pay attention to their concerns with an open heart, and to acknowledge these wounds we share. With love and hope, we will get through this, together.