14 - Patience
With the effects of a pandemic still being felt around the world, we have all been pushed to our limit, and for the better part of a year, asked to do things that do not come naturally to most of us. If given the choice, few people would choose to sit at home, distance from their friends and family, and avoid all human contact – all very unnatural things for us as humans, as we crave connection and the human touch.
Asking people to do these difficult things has had some difficult consequences, and has also faced serious pushback. While the dutiful and pious among us have recognized the greater good and made sacrifices for others – some among us have chosen to rebel and fight against these perceived slights and make absurd claims about their freedoms, government conspiracies and invented diseases.
This is where patience is the gift we need. We have to be patient with them, and patient with the situation; there is light at the end of the tunnel. While the holiday break and the new year is usually that break, this year being with our loved ones and travelling are not in the cards. Let us take solace in knowing that many companies around the world and many talented folks ar working to bring us a solution and hopefully an effective vaccine will bring some right back into the world, and this is something we can all be thankful for. Until then, patience.
Spare some patience in dealing with the folks who do not share your viewpoint. Remember the five keystones, and let them guide you through this time.
Rather than get into silly arguments and protracted discussion about whether masks increase your internal CO2 (they don’t), remind yourself that this is a wholly inefficient use of your time. You are already competent, and you do not need to waste your breath or your energy by throwing them into the chasm of ignorance that other people may tempt you with.
Think back to an earlier time when you may have been less than educated on a particular topic, or your beliefs were something. A person protesting their freedom to get sick in the face of a pandemic is a representation of you, in that past state. Be patient with them, as you would have wanted others to be patient with you.
While their views and meaningless polemic may seem pretty poisonous, do not use this as an excuse to forget that they too have rights. While it would be better for society if they’d simply stop, or just not… they have the right to voice their opinion. We must uphold this right, and on the bright side, it signals their qualities to all around them, and acts as a small beacon to prepare others for the mental gymnastics they are about to face.
It is important to always endeavor to learn new things, and you may think that, as with most things, this may have limits when dealing with folks who might be a bit ignorant. On the contrary, you can also learn from these folks. You can learn what makes them tick, and perhaps what has led them to the place they are in. You’re basically getting directions on how to stay as far away from that dark and lonely place as possible, which has a lot of value and will improve your life immeasurably.
