QUARANTINE LIFE: MONDAY THOUGHTS

Many, many thousands are gone. 

There seems to be, however, a surplus of mean, hateful, irrational, selfish people— particularly in political circles—who apparently wake up every day with plans to make others’ lives miserable. They are a microcosm of what’s happening (directly or indirectly) in our own lives, and should be used as examples of what NOT to be.

Good, competent, honest, committed people aren’t that easy to replace. Don’t exhaust them until you have to settle for being surrounded or assisted by people you neither respect nor enjoy.

Whether in political, spiritual, professional, educational, or personal circumstances, be very careful how you wield your power. 

Soberly consider who you decide isn’t needed, or doesn’t belong.

Watch who you try to humiliate, ridicule, embarrass, slander, or ostracize. You may be sparing them drama and grief—or making them a star. 

The pandemic did a number on families and organizations. There’s been a whole lot of shaking, restructuring, and reorganizing going on. Once you’re in the position for which you waited (or schemed), you may find it’s not nearly as easy, coveted, or glamorous as you imagined. The envy you think you’re deserving of, just might be pity. Don’t ever think that someone who’s been there; who did the work; who truly knows what you have gotten yourself into, wants any part of it ever again. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but the truth is the light.

Don’t take people for granted. 

Don’t make assumptions or pronouncements about anyone’s condition, interests, ability, or availability based on yours— or what you heard. 

Don’t test working or personal relationships using one-sided criteria.

Let others know you value them, their time, and effort in tangible, even negotiable ways that will encourage and benefit them.

Reconsider reverting to pre-pandemic practices that involved using, disrespecting, insulting, mishandling, and shortchanging others. Don’t create rifts by not being forthcoming or equitable. People DO compare notes. 

“Business as usual” that used to be met with gratitude, consent, and compliance may now be met with hysterical laughter. You CAN do better.

Don’t reward excellence or professionalism with mediocrity and amateurism.

Rethink “getting back to normal”. Seriously examine what that means for others as well as yourself. Don’t be surprised by pushback, apathy, or disinterest when it is now crystal clear that there was nothing normal, right, fair, ethical, true, genuine, appealing, or beneficial about it (whatever IT is).

The pandemic isn’t over, but the tolerance of, and patience with some pre-pandemic habits, methods, expectations, and practices ARE.

Being treated well should be the norm, not a shock or surprise. Doing right by everyone should be the rule, not the exception. Don’t treat strangers better than you treat your own. Now, if your own are unscrupulous outlaws, act accordingly. Wisdom still matters. When people—anyone—shows you who they are, believe them.

Surviving a pandemic isn’t exactly an incentive to revert to nonsense. Don’t expect anyone to fall for pre-pandemic manipulation or bullying. 

Can we dispense with the notion that cheating and underpaying people is doing them a favor for which they should be glad and satisfied— particularly if it involves constant inhaling and exhaling in enclosed spaces?

Want people (who have no legal obligation to do so) to stick around, lend a hand, participate, and bring their skills, gifts, talents and resources to the table?

Mind how you treat them. 

Health and wellbeing are no longer negotiable.