Long walks, deep thoughts, standard routine, craving information, day-drinking, cat cuddles, playing fetch, communicating with those I crave, avoiding those I don't, trying to change the bad, trying to embrace and hold onto the good, having realistic expectations, facing reality, being accountable.
To be completely honest, the effects on daily life have been minimal. I miss work and the weekly cocktails with some new friends, but all-in-all, life is pretty much the same for me. What has changed, is the world around me, and let me tell you my friends, this blip on the radar, in what is our entire lives, is causing havoc on those whose inability to cope with everyday life and lack even the slightest ability to adapt to minuscule hiccups, is causing them to change overnight. That being said, this horrible time is doing us an odd little favor. It's bringing out the good in those we may have brushed off and bringing out the bad in those we often gave the benefit of the doubt.
I have seen more smiles, waves, and gestures of well-wishing in the past three weeks than I have ever seen in my life (and from a lot fewer people). I have seen true concern by those I often thought were wrapped tightly in the cocoon that is their little world. I've seen those telling us to be kind, slowly crumbling before our very eyes, into bitter curmudgeons. I've watched as those who I have always deemed as good people reach out more than ever. I have also watched those selfish ones use this time to prove their self-worthlessness. I have seen the slightest assistance ignored because it does not benefit them, all the while bragging to others about how they are doing fine.
I myself am in a bubble. Despite what others may think, my positivity, not hope, is that we will all be a little wiser. I've foregone blaming or crediting politicians because I've no control either way and this negativity only adds to that which I live next to every day. This virus has brought to my attention the pure idiocy of people who think holistic medicine and things like aromatherapy work if you're a simple-minded, angry, and selfish human being. It's also made me realize that true fitness cannot be judged by a six-pack or bicep width. I think emotional wellness during this time is as important, if not more, than physical fitness. I see people weakening in body, some in mind, and some in, dare I say spirit. It's been three weeks, which tells me these people were not well to begin with. Maybe on the exterior, but this pandemic's true reach is it is showing us who some people really are.
Please, please, please do not think I am trying to diminish the severity of the disease itself. I've lost at least one friend and many others have contracted it. My heart goes out to them and their families. I do not pray, but if I could give them some of my strength I would. I myself do not fear this. I am comfortable in my overall state, that I would, in time, recover. I can't say I wish this on anyone, because those I'd ever wish suffering upon are already playing the victim, so there would be no lesson to be learned. Harsh? Maybe, but bad people are bad people. I recently explained to someone that this gentle giant of a dog that I walk, senses the good and bad in people, like no other animal I've seen. Her reply was "So, yeah, he always barks at me," completely missing what she had confessed to. Her words and actions over the days that followed confirmed the canine intuitive assertion. I've known it too. This is what I've seen, both from close up and afar. The good, staying put, but still reaching out The bad, venturing out, for selfish reasons, all to further themselves while others stay in this constant state of nothingness. I'd be lying if I wasn't tempted by the sin of making my life better at the potential expense of others, but it's not who I am. Have I mentioned the irony of Christians complaining about their burdens and personal sacrifice during this outbreak and how it has coincided with Lent? Even greater, the impact it's had on Italy and the difference between how they've handled it as opposed to American Catholics?
Maybe this is my version of selfishness. I am taking this time to learn about myself, others, and society in general. I am using this time of controlled chaos to simply sit back and watch, realizing we're not an inherently good species. Kindness is not passed along genetically or through the power of suggestion via memes. It is a learned personality trait, honed over years, which only truly comes out when that person is given a choice between kindness and self-preservation. The ones that choose kindness are nothing less than heroes, no matter how small their sacrifice may be.
To be completely honest, the effects on daily life have been minimal. I miss work and the weekly cocktails with some new friends, but all-in-all, life is pretty much the same for me. What has changed, is the world around me, and let me tell you my friends, this blip on the radar, in what is our entire lives, is causing havoc on those whose inability to cope with everyday life and lack even the slightest ability to adapt to minuscule hiccups, is causing them to change overnight. That being said, this horrible time is doing us an odd little favor. It's bringing out the good in those we may have brushed off and bringing out the bad in those we often gave the benefit of the doubt.
I have seen more smiles, waves, and gestures of well-wishing in the past three weeks than I have ever seen in my life (and from a lot fewer people). I have seen true concern by those I often thought were wrapped tightly in the cocoon that is their little world. I've seen those telling us to be kind, slowly crumbling before our very eyes, into bitter curmudgeons. I've watched as those who I have always deemed as good people reach out more than ever. I have also watched those selfish ones use this time to prove their self-worthlessness. I have seen the slightest assistance ignored because it does not benefit them, all the while bragging to others about how they are doing fine.
I myself am in a bubble. Despite what others may think, my positivity, not hope, is that we will all be a little wiser. I've foregone blaming or crediting politicians because I've no control either way and this negativity only adds to that which I live next to every day. This virus has brought to my attention the pure idiocy of people who think holistic medicine and things like aromatherapy work if you're a simple-minded, angry, and selfish human being. It's also made me realize that true fitness cannot be judged by a six-pack or bicep width. I think emotional wellness during this time is as important, if not more, than physical fitness. I see people weakening in body, some in mind, and some in, dare I say spirit. It's been three weeks, which tells me these people were not well to begin with. Maybe on the exterior, but this pandemic's true reach is it is showing us who some people really are.
Please, please, please do not think I am trying to diminish the severity of the disease itself. I've lost at least one friend and many others have contracted it. My heart goes out to them and their families. I do not pray, but if I could give them some of my strength I would. I myself do not fear this. I am comfortable in my overall state, that I would, in time, recover. I can't say I wish this on anyone, because those I'd ever wish suffering upon are already playing the victim, so there would be no lesson to be learned. Harsh? Maybe, but bad people are bad people. I recently explained to someone that this gentle giant of a dog that I walk, senses the good and bad in people, like no other animal I've seen. Her reply was "So, yeah, he always barks at me," completely missing what she had confessed to. Her words and actions over the days that followed confirmed the canine intuitive assertion. I've known it too. This is what I've seen, both from close up and afar. The good, staying put, but still reaching out The bad, venturing out, for selfish reasons, all to further themselves while others stay in this constant state of nothingness. I'd be lying if I wasn't tempted by the sin of making my life better at the potential expense of others, but it's not who I am. Have I mentioned the irony of Christians complaining about their burdens and personal sacrifice during this outbreak and how it has coincided with Lent? Even greater, the impact it's had on Italy and the difference between how they've handled it as opposed to American Catholics?
Maybe this is my version of selfishness. I am taking this time to learn about myself, others, and society in general. I am using this time of controlled chaos to simply sit back and watch, realizing we're not an inherently good species. Kindness is not passed along genetically or through the power of suggestion via memes. It is a learned personality trait, honed over years, which only truly comes out when that person is given a choice between kindness and self-preservation. The ones that choose kindness are nothing less than heroes, no matter how small their sacrifice may be.
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