Response to “WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT…”

The person who posted this on ‘Next-door’ encourages us to be kind to each other; take care of ourselves, our loved ones and others around us. That seems so easy to do when we are in crisis mood – days after 9/11, people from all walks of life came together in support of each other; however, once things started to get back to what seemed norm, the comradery came to a halt.

“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, actually seeing.” This really stood out because last month we posted an article titled, “Do we really see what we see.” As we each emerge from this storm in our own way, my hope is that we remember: we remember that many have died, we remember that people are grieving different losses; we remember frontline workers who need some much TLC; we remember that we got through; we remember that the storm may have subsided yet the effects shall remain for long time; we remember to laugh. As we remember those things may we show mercy where mercy is due, and may we grant grace accordingly. Showing kindness does not cost us anything. A smile, a nod, or a break in the grocery store line may just be the therapy someone needs to take the step. We would have survived a storm that was not a respecter of persons. Maybe if we take time to see as the author says, not look, SEE, then life may just be different in a positive way. Just my thoughts.

WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT ...

I heard that 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.

With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment some are bringing in more money to their households than they were working. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales.

Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0.

Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend.

Some want to go back to work because they don't qualify for unemployment 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 hours/workday.

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. 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, actually seeing. We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.

Unknown author