I think there are 2 seemingly contradictory truths to internalize –
1. Everyone around us is hurting from this epidemic. They may be hurting in different ways and to different degrees – but, they’re hurting nevertheless. While it is tempting to compare our pain versus theirs – cut by age of kids, marital status, introversion/extraversion, etc., – the truth is that these are all just marginal differences in the big scheme of things.
2. The real chasm this epidemic exacerbates is that between the haves and the have nots. If we have a) savings in the bank to see us through the next 6 months and/or b) a steady paycheck (likely from a job that can be done remotely), we are firmly in the have category.
This isn’t to trivialize any pain we’re going through. First world problems are still problems and it is impossible to serve others if we don’t take care of ourselves. And, we’ll undoubtedly be better served if we learn to be kind to ourselves and others while also continuing to maintain that combination of physical distance and social connection.
Once we do that, however, it is on us to ask the question – what can we do to help those whose needs are far greater than ours?
