Blog

Short blog posts, journal entries, and random thoughts. Topics include a mix of personal and the world at large. 

Please be kind

Though I try to remain positive, times are indeed chaotic right now, and many people are going through much difficulty. Even those lucky to not be ensnared by the grasp of the coronavirus may be facing intense economic hardship. or are at their wit’s end with concerning about their children’s education prospects in the immediate future. We’re all trying to be as normal as possible during these decidedly abnormal times, and I think it’s important to keep in mind that it’s possible to have a bad day, and to offer grace to those who may not momentarily live up to our perceive standards of social decency.

We have to keep kindness; for ourselves, and others.

Is there really any use being angry at someone else because things aren’t going your way? Perhaps the line into Trader Joe’s a just a bit too long, and you’re incensed that you have to wait for half an hour in the beating sun before you’re let in; what purpose would taking out your frustration on the line usher serve? An usher who cannot change the situation, and who is probably simply happy that he’s still got a job right now. We can’t treat our everyday situation as normal until things have completely gone back to normal, even if the facade says otherwise.

On the flip side, as a pseudo service person myself (IT support), I have to also be mindful the angry customer may be going through some issues, and them being unreasonable at this moment is a not a reflection of who they are as a person. They’re also simply coping as best as they can, and perhaps complaining why the turnaround time for a laptop service is in the weeks - seemingly forgetting what sort of time we are living in - is just symptomatic of the current circumstances. There’s no need for me to retaliate or increase the snark; it wouldn’t be productive, and I’d be the one suffering the stress.

Try not to be unreasonable during these times, but also don’t be upset at others being unreasonable; what we are living through right now is era-defining and unprecedented. Please be kind.

Onwards and upwards.