Not sure how this will come off, but it's been on my mind lately.
I feel as though this pandemic we find ourselves in was doing some good for a moment. At first it didn't matter what it was doing for us as a collection of creatures because we just so panicked, we didn't even have the brain power to care about whether or not we skipped lunch. Then something beautiful happened.
We united.
It reminded me of what my mother had told me about her time in the service: the Sergeant will be tough on the privates for many reasons. One important reason is the psychological response: "We may not know each other, but we do all know that we hate the Sergeant S.O.B., and so we are united". The common denominator will knit these strangers together so tightly, very little will be able to break that bond.
We all were finally on the same page (like that fleeting moment on New Year's Eve, except more screaming and on a more global scale). We all finally understood (in a way) that life is hard. That everyone is dealing with something. And although plenty of people were already dealing with a lot of somethings - most of which you and I will never have to face - this was still a very useful conclusion. It leveled the playing field a bit and in a very large way. The individuals in every mass were a little more likely to be kind, patient, understanding. A little more forgiving and thoughtful (like Christmas, except less screaming and not just involving suburban white moms). Then what happened?
We felt a great injustice.* We became insulted. A few fiery "WHY ME????"'s later, we dropped every iota of humanitarianism we gained since March - and then some. Now that we've grown accustomed to all the mask-wearing and conspiracy-preaching and no-end-in-sight-ing, we've decided - as a collective body - to start focusing on the real problems. Problems like missing Sunday football practice. Problems like having to wait in line outside the grocery store - in the cold! Problems like our favorite bars and eateries not being open until one in the morning. We've become evermore entitled and spoiled and in doing so, we have - once again - separated ourselves from each other. Because we have to go on unemployment. Because we have to keep working. Because we have to work from home. Because we cannot work from home. Because we have to wipe down the cart handle at the grocery store. Because there are new rules when we leave our house.
Quite possibly the most frustrating part is: While we are all busy in our newfound self-absorption, we have thrown any regard of "essential workers" to the wayside. Past the wayside. We threw it against a wall of cold concrete in an alleyway behind an abandoned building. We did that thing that humans do where we shoot the messenger. Many of us are still firing. It's okay, though; that kid trying like hell to work his first proper job totally deserves it. Also he doesn't have feelings. Also his generation sucks, so be sure to throw that in there the next chance you get.
I know that people think I am such an odd creature (and in many ways, I am) and I know that I do some things that I am glad others do not. I have so much to learn from others and I do not boast to be the best role model. However; if there was one thing that I do that others could benefit from, it would be to practice gratitude. Yes, I take it a little too far sometimes and it ends up being me just dealing with a bunch of shit that I may not necessarily have to deal with saying "gee, well at least I have a floor to sleep on". But I do think that it would come in handy for a few people right about now. If only we could have kept our organic unity.
Nothing lasts forever.
Although this pandemic sure feels as though it might.
*see previous blog post for reference.
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