So I haven't shared this with the public yet, but after 370 days of living during the Covid-19 pandemic and daily dealing with the public (more on that in a bit), I finally became sick and tested positive for the virus on March 20. I would like to think that in general, Covid-19 took it fairly easy on me. I suffered from a pretty rough sounding and at times painful cough. I never had a fever but did experience chills and body aches. I had head congestion originally that moved into my chest, hence the eventual painful coughing that made my chest and abdominal muscles (the few I have ;-) very sore. I had a complete loss of energy and stamina to do much more than walk across the room for several days. It was not fun and is seriously not something I want anyone else to have to deal with (insert PSA for getting the vaccine and wearing your mask and social distancing in public...and that is not a political statement, just a caring for mankind statement). So in those regards, though I truly experienced some rough symptoms of Covid-19, so far it has been light in comparison to what it COULD have been or has been for some. Even today a former student of mine, lost his mother to complications from Covid which is sounds like she contracted not long before I did. We are praying for the Kimble family tonight for peace and comfort as well as thanking the Lord for the blessings he has bestowed upon us as my wife and kids have remained Covid free throughout my experience.
One of the activities that has helped me pass the time while in isolation has been to binge watch tv shows that either I hadn't seen when they were originally aired or to catch up on shows I normally like to watch but haven't due to work and family life busy-ness. As you can tell by the title, one of those shows has been "The Office". If you are a fan of the show you understand what the first three items in the title mean. If you are not a fan of the show, I am sure you said, "What!?" when you read the title. Hopefully, that didn't keep you from reading this post and I haven't scared you off yet (insert Dori from Finding Nemo here, "Just keep reading, just keep reading").
One of the aspects of the Office that I believe made it such a successful show, abroad (yes check out the British version, its probably even funnier if you are able to translate on the fly British slang and American slang) and here in the US (and yes I know the British version came first, but we won the Revolution so, sue me!) is how realistic vs the absurdity of it exists and how we all can find someone in the office we relate to. If you have worked in an office of any kind, you have dealt with a boss who seems so far out of touch like Michael Scott or had a co-worker like Angela or Kelly or Kevin whom you have shook your head at or about something they have done. And please don't get me started on how many actual Dwight Schrutes there may be out there! Though the extremes are exaggerated, there is a little bit of some of the Office in each of us and it is always helpful to be able to see that, laugh at it, and move on! That leads me to the next topic...
For the last four years there has been constant bickering all over the place, but especially on social media about the President and politics. It became so bad that most, some, well at least I had to drop off of some social media platforms just to catch a breath and not feel unbridled anger at my fellow man, on both sides of the aisle! And now, even with a new president (whom I am praying for the ability to be able to ascend stairs better than my children did when they first learned to walk) much of the same bickering, finger pointing, name calling, etc has continued. For the record, if you haven't heard, that is NOT what social media is supposed to do, so STOP IT!
I thought to try to be helpful, because that is what the above is supposed to do and because I like to be a helpful person as well as serve others (I do work at CFA and it IS MY PLEASURE, and NO this is not a company stance but my own opinion), I would provide same basic guidelines or principles most of us should have been taught in elementary school or by our parents and if you weren't, no worries, its never too late to learn them...START NOW!
1) If you don't have something nice to say, try to say something nice instead! Or just shut up, that works too!
2)Don't hit people! This means physically obviously, but also verbally, sticks and stones and such. Words do matter and can hurt. If you can't afford to play it on the scrabble board, don't tweet it, snapchat it, instagram it, etc.
3)Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. It didn't cost you anything to hurt them and it doesn't cost you anything to apologize, accept your pride and trust me, we all have plenty of that to spend and will still be okay.
4)When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and look out for each other. Listen, we are all we each have and even if we don't see eye to eye on everything, we all can see each other and know the value of having someone to help us when we have a flat tire, hold our hand when we are scared and give us direction when we are lost.
5) All lives matter - Black Lives, Asian Lives, Indian Lives, White Lives, Kids Lives, Parents Lives, LGBTQ lives, Cubs Fans Lives, Cardinal Fans Lives, Beets Lives, ALL LIVES MATTER! We have to live on this planet together and when we understand that equality starts with inclusion not exclusion and/or the separating ourselves from each other and expecting the other side to fix our issues, then we will be better. WE must come together and fix the issues that exist together and not expect that finger pointing at one side or the other and assigning blame will solve anything. If we are to put an end to racism, then we need to be about the human race, together, people from all races working towards one common goal.
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