I heard that we are in the same boat.
But it's not like that.
We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat.
Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine might not be.
Or vice versa.
For some, quarantine is optimal: moment of reflection, of re-connection. Easy, in flip flops, with a whiskey or tea.
For others, this is a desperate crisis.
For others it is facing loneliness.
For some, a peace, rest time, vacation.
Yet for others, Torture: How am I going to pay my bills?
Some were concerned about a brand of chocolate for Easter (this year there were no rich chocolates).
Others were concerned about the bread for the weekend, or if the noodles would last for a few more days.
Some were in their "home office" .
Others are looking through trash to survive.
Some want to go back to work because they are running out of money.
Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.
Some need to break the quarantine to stand in line at the banks.
Others to escape.
Others criticize the government for the lines.
Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it, some are not sure their loved ones are going to make it, and some don't even believe this is a big deal.
Some of us who are well now may end up experiencing it, and some believe they are infallible and will be blown away if or when this hits someone they know
Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020.
Others say the worse is yet to come.
So, friends, we are not in the same boat.
We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.
And each one will emerge, in his own way, from that storm.
Some with a tan from their pool. Others with scars on the soul (for invisible reasons).
It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, more than looking, seeing.
See beyond the political party, beyond religion, beyond the nose on your face.
Do not underestimate the pain of others if you do not feel it.
Do not judge the good life of the other, do not condemn the bad life of the other.
Don't be a judge.
Let us not judge the one who lacks, as well as the one who exceeds him.
We are on different ships looking to survive.
Let everyone navigate their route with respect, empathy and responsibility.
--Author unknown
Photo by Jean-Pierre Brungs on Unsplash
I’d like to thank Paige Elenson for first sharing this poem during her GLOBAL HEALTHY YOGA HAPPY HOUR last Saturday.
I wish I was eloquent enough to have written this beautiful piece, and I believe some of us may feel like we could have written it ourselves.
That’s how powerful it is.
The lesson is to give ourselves and others a little more kindness especially in this difficult time.
It’s so easy to judge others for how “easy” their lives are, or berating others for wanting to walk hand-in-hand with loved ones in the supermarket or in the park.
It’s so easy to also judge ourselves - feeling shame because others are worst off, or isolating ourselves further and not asking for help.
The hard truth is we don’t know when this is going to end, I don’t know your story and you don’t know mine. So whilst we are still riding the storm on our different boats, let us get present and take a look at what’s really going on. Be willing to face the truth and be unmessable in the messiness of our lives right now.
And if you are on a boat that is taking too much water, right now, it’s an opportunity to choose courage over your comfort zone. Ask for support and if support is impossible or inaccessible for you, make a request. There is always a way.
Right now, it’s an opportunity to be of service, more than ever; for us to step up and be a leader in our family, in our community;
I love this quote by Robert Ingersoll -
We Rise by Lifting Others
Support others in their time of need, not by giving advice or trying to fix the situation but by offering a safe space for brave conversations, and being there for them whenever they are ready.
When you help others, you’re also helping yourself, to heal.
Before you start telling people what they should do or shouldn’t do, take a pause and think. Think about the words you use. It doesn’t matter if you’re right, just be kinder.
We don’t need any more judgements or opinions. All we need is love and grace.
Yes, we’re not in the same boat, but I know in my heart, that we will rise above all odds and I’ve faith that we will be there for each other at the end of the line.
xo
PS. If you want to give back, do yoga and support the communities in Africa, join Paige Elenson for a GLOBAL HEALTHY HAPPY HOUR every Saturday 8am SGT (3am Nairobi time) on Zoom for a live DJ Afro beats yoga class!!! Paige is an inspiring Baptiste Yoga leader, winner of the Mohammed Ali Humanitarian award and co-founder of the Africa Yoga Project.