Like many, many people I have been struggling the last few months.
To help me I have reached out to my tribe and done a lot of reading. Its a scary when you read “13 Things Mentally Strong people don’t do” and you realise that you are prime example of how NOT to react.
I run a charity with a wonderful bunch of people. We are all volunteers. When you are doing something that you hope improves the lives of others it helps to get some sort of validation the work you do is having impact.
In a non COVID year our organisation is able to hold events that celebrate the extraordinary things our schools are doing.
Before those events I usually tag along with our artwork judge the wonderful Wendy Taylor and visit the schools and see in person what they have achieved and how they are changing the world
I realise its this that I am missing so much. I miss the teachers and students I so miss having Wendy in my life
I know external validation isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s should be combined with internal validation. We need both to be healthy.
How do you ensure your internal validation????
How do you make friends with your feelings ???
How beautiful is this thoughtful piece on COVID and vaccination. And in human connection (ht Nikki Thompson)
The vaccinated people are scared.
They’re scared to get COVID.
They’re scared someone they love might get it and possibly die from it.
They were worried they might not get to travel again or see their international families.
They’re not ignorant or ‘sheeple’ (I loathe that term) – they feel like they’re doing the right thing for themselves and the people around them.
This may not have been an easy choice.
Unfortunately they might have felt obligated to do so.
They might have been scared to get the needle.
While you may not agree with them, it’s important to understand WHY these people have made their choice.
You may think they’re wrong, but I’m sure you’ve felt scared and afraid before.
It feels terrible.
We need to have compassion and empathy for people making a hard choice that’s different than yours.
The unvaccinated are scared.
They’re not inconsiderate monsters who thought “I’m going to try to screw over the rest of the people and not get my vaccine.”
They’re worried about long term side affects.
They’re worried about their immune systems.
They’re afraid of how much the government is stepping in on their personal choices, freedoms and rights.
They’re scared they might end up with Bells Palsy, myocarditis, shingles, blood clots, a miscarriage, a heart attack, heart palpitations, profuse unending vomiting, an autoimmune disease activation or death.
They’re worried they might never see their international families again.
It would be easier to get the shot.
It isn’t easy to say no to the shot.
While you may not agree with them, it’s important to understand WHY these people have made their choice.
You may think they’re wrong, but I’m sure you’ve felt scared and afraid before.
It feels terrible.
We need to have compassion and empathy for people making a hard choice that’s different than yours.
This is NOT the time to turn on each other.
It is never the time to do that.
Stop the divide.
Come together with compassion, empathy, understanding, patience and forgiveness.
Take a moment to listen without judgement.
Take time to see where the others are coming from.
Everyone is doing their best.
Lashing out and placing blame will only make things worse.
Shaming is not the way to change someone’s mind.
Understanding why and having compassion is our only choice.
Choose kindness, always ✨
HumanKind. Be Both.
