Together, we are helping one another in so many ways. We make masks, stay home to protect others, celebrate our healthcare workers, and deliver needed supplies to vulnerable neighbors. In my social media feed, I see the best of people shining through, the eagerness to help their fellowman, over and over. This is beautiful. Mixed in more and more, however, I see the old complaints, the old division of partisan politics.
We have something in common that touches every country, every race, every one of us. This virus has affected all of us to some degree. How long has it been since not merely an entire country but the entire world had a shared experience? It is a time filled with tragedy, both health and economic but also full of opportunity. We have a chance to look at one another differently, more compassionately. Here in the US, we have a chance to see not just Red State or Blue State but a fellow human being.
When I am driving and another car cuts me off, it is easy to just say, “What a jerk.” When I do the same thing, of course I have lots of reasons for it – I’m stressed about getting to work on time, I’ve had a rough day, etc. With a little effort, I can assume the other driver had similar good reasons for what he did and wish him well. It doesn’t hurt him either way, but I feel better. We may not always agree or even get along, but we could at least give one another the benefit of the doubt. How often are we creating additional stress for ourselves because of what people we have never met are doing?
Instead of criticizing those who protest the extended quarantine, consider the desperation that may have driven that choice. What must their situation look like to take that risk? What might it be like to be out of work all this time with little or no savings and a growing pile of bills? What would it be like to watch the business you poured your heart, time and money into building die while you just sat at home? The economy is not just money and greed; it is people’s dreams, hopes, and their children’s future. People’s lives are at stake in more ways than one.
In one of his podcasts, Malcolm Gladwell said, “The easiest thing in the world is to look at those mistakes [and choices] and condemn. The much harder thing is to look at those mistakes and understand.” It’s easy to yell and say, “You’re wrong. You’re stupid. You’re a jerk.” (Feel free to insert whatever choice word you might actually be saying.) It is harder to see where the other person might be coming from and what might drive them to an opinion or choice so different from your own. When you choose to make the effort to understand, you may find compassion as well. You can choose to take a quick shot of anger and self-righteousness, or to slowly sip on understanding and compassion. Which do you choose?