I don’t know anyone who has escaped the pressures of the pandemic. Frontline workers putting their lives on the line every day. Parents who are trying to work from home while managing kids, maybe even multiple kids, who themselves are trying to manage learning from home. Those same kids who have to try to learn while so many of the best parts of school (friends, fun events, recess) are taken away for now. Adults who can’t work, who have lost jobs, who are facing bills with less or no income. People being abused who are now quarantined with their abusers. People who are anxious, fearful, in despair.
After weeks of staying mostly at home, seeing mostly my family and a familiar four walls, I am restless, tired, often irritable. I am worn out on eating well some days. I have less motivation to exercise. I am quite aware that my problems are much smaller and more manageable than most.
I said in one of my early pandemic posts that this crisis will bring out the best in some people and the worst in others. A friend recently shared a smart post that said that in this time, jerks are becoming bigger jerks. Compassionate people are becoming more compassionate. Our essences are expressing themselves. Which are you?
We all have our ups and downs. Good days and bad. Some of us have bigger problems looming than others. I get that.
Still, there really isn’t an excuse to be unkind.
I thought to myself, we are all under pressure.
Some of the most beautiful and most deadly things in the world are both born of great pressure. Diamonds developed when pressure gets extremely intense. Diamonds, something many consider extremely precious. Something that sparkles. Something we cherish. Have you seen diamonds coming out these days? Kindness? Generosity? Understanding? Even curiosity? A willingness to listen? Changing of minds?
At the same time, pressure between tectonic plates can collide and erupt into a volcano, spewing lava and destruction for miles and miles. Something we run from, something many of us might fear. Have you seen any examples of volcanoes around, spewing negativity and lack of understanding? We’ve all seen them. Angry protesters screaming at medical workers, police. Nasty commenters belittling people instead of listening to their sincere concerns.
The 2 chicks have embraced “choose daily” from nearly the start of this blog. I don’t know if anyone will get through this pandemic without cracks. But instead of a crack that leads to hurting and destroying everything and everyone around, can you choose a crack that makes you more beautiful?
2 Chicks and a blog 