Burdens

Things are getting pretty spicy out there, huh?

When all this started, I wasn’t too worried about much aside from getting or spreading the virus, because I believe (foolishly, some might say) in the inherent goodness and generosity of people. What’s tripping me up today are the people who are letting strong emotions get the better of them. Fear is expected in situations like this. Anger is understandable. We’re all feeling them. But when we let fear and anger rule us, that is…a bummer.

You’re free to disagree with this, but it seems the most valuable thing in the world is not freedom; it’s love, which gives us the unnatural ability to lay down our lives for our friends (or neighbors, or countrymen). You’re not being asked to lay down your life—only to set it down at your feet for a while. All that’s being asked is that you stay at home (if you can). Just stay home. Trust in whatever gives you hope, be that God or the universe or your fellow humans. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.

I know it’s excruciating to remain still when everything in you wants to spur you toward action. But even though you’re frustrated, you’re not powerless. If you are in need or worried about the future, plenty of people are aching to help you. You don’t have to carry the burden of worry all by yourself. If you are fortunate enough to have resources, please offer them as generously as you can. If you’re upset by one “side” or the other, do your best to look past the protest signs or the restrictive orders and see the people behind them, people who are like you: scared, angry, uncertain, and in desperate need of a hug. See if you can make one small motion toward, rather than against, them today. Even if it’s mumbling through clenched teeth, “I see you and I’m sorry you’re hurting.” Even if it’s just digging deep and admitting privately that you don’t hate them with every fiber of your being…just most of them.

This probably sounds stupid and trite. Maybe it is. I don’t know. I’m just out of any other ideas. I don’t see any other path than patience and grace and hand-washing. And, like, love or whatever.

So I’m going to stick with that. Then, when it’s safe to pick up our lives again and go on our way, we might find pride and gratitude in the way we offered what we could during the worst time in a generation.

That’s my hope, anyway.

In closing, I would like to offer you this picture of a tarsier:

Look at that guy! Look at those big eyes! He’s givin’ you a mischievous wink, the li’l devil! Aw, man. Animals are the best, right?