Leave it to a pandemic to have me dusting off my personal blog.
I was stunned to see I have not posted anything here since 2017. But, how can you not comment about the crazy times we are living in?
So, I took a pandemic pause to do some Miller Musings of a unique kind. It’s not “Business” musings. And it’s certainly not “Everyday Life” – until now.
Pandemic Pandemonium
Never in a million years would I have predicted our present state of being. I suspect few of us could. Well, maybe the scientists and epidemiologists.
Here in the U.S., we watched as COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) attacked the world like a version of PAC-MAN gone wild.
- Did we think we were safe? Probably.
- Were we wrong? Definitely.
- Do we still feel safe? Doubtful.
The pandemic exposed our deepest wounds like a band-aid ripping off a scab. The Pollyanna in me hopes we learn valuable life lessons. My Shoulder Satan scoffs at the idea.
Pandemic Politics
Those who know me best know I abhor politics. Always have. Always will. Whether it’s government politics or corporate, the angry voices of this side or that silence any chance we have to hear something we may not hear again.
We are in a battle for our lives. Hopefully, for you and yours, it’s not a literal life-saving battle, but this battle is indeed about our lives.
- Will we care enough?
- Can we learn from this?
- Do we see beyond ourselves?
Pandemic Judgment
Can we keep an open mind that our experience is not the same as someone else? My perception as someone who lives with her 97-year-old mother is different from the 20-year-old who’d rather take the risk than live his current life.
I understand. Do you?
- Can we listen?
- Will we share?
Can we be smart – be kind – be safe?
And know we can do it all without sacrificing ourselves?
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Live…Laugh…Love
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You have hit every single truth about this pandemic in one post.
It’s not about whether we personally are going to be sickened and die. It’s about caring for others enough to put our needs aside for a while. And if we really examined those needs, we might see that many of them are just wants. (That excludes people who need to work and cannot right now — they have the right to need to go out.)
I stopped watching news. I get my updates from newspapers that I can easily put aside or not read. My mood lifted. My mood improved even more when I decided to limit Facebook. I post pictures and go to the pages of friends whom I know are not prone to posting political stuff.
I limit the politics in my life. I have my opinions, but who cares? It’s about being kind to others right now, to not flipping out if someone isn’t following social distancing guidelines (we don’t know what’s going on in their lives or their heads). To me, that’s more important than any political position.
I stopped watching news, too, Lori. I also have electronic news accounts that I skim, read, or skip. It all becomes too much. I try to focus on the Be Kind of my statement above. Because you’re right. We don’t know what the other person is going through.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, my friend. Be safe!
These are important questions, Cathy – I’d like to think we’ll learn from this, but realistically I know some people won’t. But I have to hope that enough do to let us emerge from this better.
The Pollyanna in me loves that you lead with hope, Sharon. I do, too. Yes, some will act like this was all an inconvenient time for them, but I hope most see how it’s focused us on what’s really important in life. Stay safe, my friend.
I, too, dusted off my blog (which has lain dormant for a looooong time!) thanks to the pandemic. I also share your hopes, especially that we care enough and that we learn from this. Somedays, I think we have a chance. Other days, I despair. Which, I suppose, is the human condition.
Here’s a less weighty hope: may we both continue to blog more often. I miss having a group of blogs written by smart people to turn to. I even started a Feedly account to try and keep up better.
Dava, post a link for me so I can do the same. I’d love to read your new posts. Thank you for putting me in the group of “smart” people. 🙂 We sure have been on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Thanks for sharing your experience, Dava, and stay safe.
Oops – just clicked on your name and there was your blog. You may want to remove me from the “smart” group. 😀