When I began my journey with Nymph, I had no idea where it would take me. My goal was to ingratiate myself with as many people and communities as I possibly could given the relatively limited time I would have to spend at my destinations. But time was no issue, as it didn’t take long to break bread with neighbors in Barcelona, feel loved by the locals in Merchiston, or to make friends in Petit-Rocher.
I felt welcomed into every home and every establishment I entered and subsequently, felt part of something bigger than myself.
I am privileged. I acknowledge it and understand what that means in our present society, and I do my utmost best not to take it for granted. Food, water, a home, a vehicle, a healthy lifestyle – they are all readily available to me. So during this time of suggested “social distancing”, I am not wanting for any necessities.
But the same cannot be said for everyone. People who can’t work from home will struggle to find childcare due to school closures, the elderly dependent on care-workers could be stranded due to an overwhelming demand on our healthcare system, and hungry folks dependent on food banks/school meals could be left wanting.
So, now I harken back to that sense of community I’ve been lucky enough to find all over the world. Even during a quarantine, we are, quite literally, more connected than ever. Calls, text, emails, social media, hundreds of messaging platforms – they are all still readily available.
If you have an elderly neighbor, give them a call. Maybe they would appreciate a box of toiletries and non-perishables delivered to their door (you can leave it on the steps and avoid contact if necessary). Or if you are able, volunteer for Meals on Wheels!
That single parent working for hourly wages, shoot them a text. Maybe they need a friendly ear to vent to, or even someone to sit with their kids for a couple of hours so they can pick up a shift.
Do you have a friends or family working in healthcare? I bet they could use an e-gift card to their favorite local coffee shop or lunch spot. Or a simple note to say “Thank you.”
It’s really easy to complain about our sporting events being canceled, our trips to Disney that have been thwarted, and our concerts that have been postponed. Really, really easy. And justifiably, because it is a total bummer. I myself have travel planned in the very near future that is up in the air, and to say I’m disappointed it may be rescheduled is an understatement.
it takes a whole lot of energy to feed that disappointment, and even more so if folks become angry or resentful. But guess what? it’s not just about you. So what if we siphon that energy and instead, direct it towards finding compassion, understanding, and a sense of community? Just imagine what we could accomplish if we think beyond our own sense of fulfillment and gratification and truly loved our neighbors.
It might just make that missed concert or vacation seem like a drop in the bucket.