Changing Times: Who Are We Anymore?

As if the chaotic happenings of late are not enough. I find that between hard times and politics I am learning a new side of my friends and myself. Who am I anymore? Who are we among the backdrop of chaos?

Chaos is part of growing, enduring something close to an apocalypse is something we have yet to grow through. I am a big believer in the things we go through we grow through. However, there are some events that truly define or change who we are and how we see others, the world. I welcomed the self-quarantine at first, thought yea we could all use a little R&R at home to recharge and stay healthy. Two weeks in and I am questioning everything everyone and my patience for stupidity is at an all time low. I am finding myself trying to pay more attention to politics and understand that world to make better choices in the future. I have determined it is proving difficult as who do you believe, the media, your friends, the politicians. It is all so much, and though I never leave my house much anyway, little things like work really balanced my sanity. I truly understand cabin fever and I am sure many of you do as well. Luckily, I do not have toddlers, but have experienced having a toddler in my home sure the quarantine and I have respect for parents like no other. I am a parent but was never placed in a situation more than three-four days locked inside with your toddler and during that time there was a hurricane looming so they knew why they had to be inside and we knew it was only for short time. This is so far different and un-explainable to the kids and it seems some adults. Which leads me to the part of who are you now? Did you think you knew who you were or who your friends were? I did and now I question everything and wonder if maybe I put up with too much, was too neutral in subjects and topics.

Discovering Everyone’s Beliefs

I can say that since this has occurred, I have now seen most of my friend’s perspectives, thoughts, beliefs and ideas on well everything! I can say I have thought about my political stand and beliefs through this after watching out government from local to state to nation wide levels argue and disagree, make decisions that are deemed good as well as bad. I have wondered where I stand on the political spectrum and questioned myself as to my party choice. But I can also say I have listened without judgement and I have not blocked or un-friended someone due to their vomiting of their beliefs. I am just realizing that some people feel the need to push their beliefs on you and commit their words all over you in the hopes you will give in. I have seen people act ugly towards anther and caught myself acting ugly to another human when I left the house to get gas. I was one of the ugly ones who had no patience and was ready to fight Karen for my spot at the gas pump. I knew then I needed to go back home and take a time out. I would like to think that most of us are open to what others think and willing to hear their point without judgement, I suppose I have had my head in the sand on this one. Many are not open to what others believe or think and then try to sway them to see the light. I have seen countless arguments on Facebook over thoughts and ideas of how to control the virus, end it or just ignore that it exists. It has truly made me sit back and think, who are we anymore? What did we become? Or have we been this way and now because we are all forced to communicate via Facebook where thoughts become actual words that everyone can see, we are truly seeing who we are and not who we think we are.

Times Change and So Do We

This is it; the times are changing. While this virus may eventually go away it will change things, change you and me. We cannot experience something like this and not expect change, but what we need to embrace is who we are, the core of what we believe in and we need to stick to that, because no matter what things will change and it is important that we evolve but still remain to the core the person we believe in. I have my faith, but I do not believe God will save us, I believe we should save ourselves open our eyes and remember who we were. We all got so lost with the times changing and becoming faster paced with less human interaction. People hiding behind keyboards speaking on a belief that I wonder if they truly believe in because their beliefs change with the media tide. So maybe we can use this time to stop trying to discount each other, one up each other with this works better or criticizing because one must work, and one has no choice that they can’t work. We need to learn to notice that when the times change, we shouldn’t but how we interact, think and respond does because of the experience of the changing times. I have friends who are facing a positive COVID19 diagnosis, but I am not blaming them for leaving the house. I have seen people deal with the death of someone they love due to COVID19, no matter how they contract it that family is left with the pain and memory of the person they lost. That changes you. I have military moms who are sending their kids off on deployments, and no ability to see them and hug them before they go…that changes you! We are not immune to the changes we face during this chaotic time, but we are responsible for being kind loving humans.

Who Are We Anymore?

I find myself asking this question everyday not only about me but the people I know. I have seen kindness and love from some of the expected sources and from ones that I never really thought were capable of such actions. I find myself wondering why my patience is so little and when did I become so annoyed with being stuck at home. I wonder how some people find so much hate that they create moments that will ruin friendships and relationships. Then I look around and wonder how we will rebound from this. We have seen people do things and say things that leave us gasping in awe. I can say that I know I will always respect what others have to say even when they vomit their words on me, but I don’t have to keep enduring it. I will do my best to be more considerate of others and recognize when my patience is low and take a personal time out. I want to still be me during and after this pandemic but with better vision and hopefully learn a thing or two. So, ask yourself, who are you? Are you happy with what this chaos is creating in yourself? What can you do, can we do to maybe create more acceptance of ideas and beliefs to get through this with friendships still intact?