Episode 26 was profound for this one simple reason. In the midst of his own fear and confusion, Danny put his mask on and went to work on the front lines of COVID-19. He was ready to live out his purpose as a nurse in spite of the risk.
He couldn’t trust that the hospital had their ducks in a row, that the government would make the right decisions, or that his fellow humans would do their part to keep this thing from spreading. He trusted untrustworthy people and walked toward the risk because he knew that his part mattered to everyone, and especially to those under his care.
Here’s what I’m thinking. When this thing ends and we are rebuilding all of us are going to be needed on the frontlines. We are going to have to take off our masks (figuratively speaking) and get to work together.
But it’s going to take a huge mindset shift because we are going to be scared to take them off and come out. When people are scared they tend to blame, shame, or self protect anyway… and right now we are learning to see each other as a threat. Anyone we meet might give us the virus.
So I’m practicing.
My husband and I see so little through the same lens. We care about the same things, but our thoughts feelings, and ideas about how to get them done are so different. When he says things I don’t like I feel threatened. The same thing is true with my friends. The things we don’t see eye to eye on are intense. It makes talking about them really hard. I’m learning the importance of choosing to talk about things that are uncomfortable and stay with the discomfort when everything in me wants to run or change the subject. I’m also incredibly thankful for friends who are willing to stay in it with me!
The idea that there are as many perspectives as there are people has had a huge impact on me. I realize that friendships and partnerships can’t be healthy and strong if we aren’t willing to open up our minds to the views of others and our hearts, to the other view holder.
Last week a simple statement came to mind in a brainstorming session: See a person – be a person. To me, it feels like a perfect way to prepare ourselves to work together I the front lines as we rebuild and to navigate all of our relationships in light of so much diversity.
It works like this. I see a person (who is saying or doing something that feels wrong to me). Then I choose to actually see them as a person and to respond as a person. I’m valuing my humanity and theirs when I choose to see them in a way that reflects the best of what it means to be a human being relating to another human being.
So what do you think about practicing with me? Let’s become people who are ready to take off our masks, letting go of our fears and chasing the goodness of working together to rebuild?
Let’s walk toward thoughts, feelings, and attitudes that make us uncomfortable and just learn to be there without having to resist. Let’s experience the goodness of being together anyway!
I believe that if we do, we will begin to discover what it means to have a genuine impact on each other’s lives and be part of making the world more like we all want it to be.
Tell me what you think!
Mentioned in this episode
If We Matter Episode 26: Get your mask on and let’s go!
Resources
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