Chapter 8
As I sit here doing my research for my Educational Theories class, my phone will not stop buzzing. Notifications are flying across my phone from news entities reporting that the economy is starting improve. Another one giving statistics for vaccination rates. Another for infection rates. A different one from County and State. One more from the Schools Districts… it just won’t stop. It seems like things are changing, but it seems like the thing that has changed the most during this whole ordeal is the way we behave.
The pandemic has completely shifted our culture from one of common decency and respect, to one of fear and disillusion. I am not denying the fact that there are some serious health problems. It’s because of those problems that we have changed from kindness culture to an evasion and consequence culture. Compassion has taken a back seat, as it is being “masked” into submission. We have forgotten that we still need to be nice to people, because there is a lot of horrible things going on in our society.
We can’t forget what makes us special as people. While we are forced to wear masks, don’t let that “mask” your ability to help others. Remind yourself that God did not retreat in the face of fear, he confronted and stood up to the fears of the world. Don’t forget we must treat all people with respect no matter what the social climate is.
It is scary and there is a lot of ambiguity with which way to turn, how to react, and what direction the future will bring. While we are trying to figure it out, let’s remember that we all are in the same situation and we all are trying to survive. Let’s figure these things out together and work to improve on them with compassion and empathy. Ask yourself… if while trying to protect yourself, are you disrespecting others? Are you being considerate to how someone else feels whether or not they agree or disagree with you? It is my humble opinion we need people to be more patient, kind, and more flexible than we have ever been. As much as I would like certain aspects of my life to be different, the truth and reality to the situation may not be in my favor and I have to accept that fact. I have to be forgiving of others and show more grace than I ever have even when someone may not deserve it. I know I struggle with this concept and I know there are other people in the world that are probably experiencing the same thoughts and emotions I do too.
In this time where we need to protect ourselves from our “invisible enemy”, we need to take off our “masks” and show the world our true identities as a compassionate society of people. We are hiding who we truly are by covering up and descending into isolation hoping things will change on its own.
We need to be that change. We need to stand up for others who cannot stand up for themselves. I encourage you that every time you place a mask on your face in the future, don’t just look at it as way to cover up. Envision it as a symbol to remind yourself that you have the power and ability to treat people with decency and kindness. You may not be able to control the world, but you can control your attitude and behavior in this world. Be someone that chooses to understand and show others what being a tender-hearted considerate person is. Be an empathic leader who offers support by lifting others up through the strength they carry within themselves. If others don’t need you to lift them up, then walk beside them and encourage them that things will get better. This type of action is so refreshing and empowering to yourself and others because of the amazing impact you have in building others up who desperately need it in a time like this.
With our new perspective, I encourage you all to go out into the world and wear your masks. It holds a different meaning now. You may just save a life.
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Written By Chris Hulme (aka – Coach Hulme) #CoachHulme #ChrisHulme
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