People say “We are all in the same boat” but it’s not like that.
We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.
For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.
For some that live alone, they’re facing endless loneliness. While for others, it is peace, rest, & time with their mother, father, sons & daughters.
Some families are receiving financial assistance from the Government while other families receive nothing.
Some are concerned that their favourite products are now hard to find while others are concerned if there will be enough bread, milk, and eggs for the weekend.
Some want to go back to work because they don’t qualify for financial assistance and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.
Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday. Some arent at all.
Some have experienced the near-death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it, and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don’t believe this is a big deal.
Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come.
So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different but what is needed at such a time is empathy and compassion.
Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, but actually seeing.
We are all on different ships during this storm and all experiencing a very different journey.
Let’s be kind
Contribution by Elaine Flook – see more articles at elaineflook.com
Elaine is a Performance Therapist and Consultant to Bookable.