By Susan Jerrell, TOFT Founder
If this pandemic has a lesson to teach it is that kindness goes a long way. How we talk to and treat those around us can make all the difference. Show kindness in all you do. Here are four ways you can make a difference and show kindness during the pandemic.
It’s hard to work from home. Doing your job and helping your own kids with school work is hard. Isolation is hard. Lack of routine and close quarters is hard. Anxiety and stress is real and for some debilitating. I get it; my world is not right either.
Here’s another reality. While many of us are able to work from home, there are many workers who are on the frontlines. The complaints we have about being cooped up are minor compared to the people who are dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic face-to-face.
When so many things feel out of control, I encourage you to take a deep breath. Look around you. What do you see to be thankful for? What can you do to show kindness during the pandemic?
So what can you do to show kindness?
Pray
Don’t underestimate the power of prayer. This is a time for all faiths to join together and pray for the world. Pray for:
- Medical care providers
- The sick
- Workers who are keeping countries functioning
- Our leaders and for wise decision making
- Students who are missing school and friends
- Seniors whose lives are upended and their teachers who are trying to teach from home
- The elderly who need comfort and support
- For calm for those with anxiety
- Patience
- Obedience to rules and laws
Donate
Whether it is time, money, or service, there is a way to help during this time.
- If you can sew, there are patterns for approved masks that can be made to donate to medical workers as a stop gap until more appropriate masks are available.
- Blood banks are running low, so if you are able, donate blood to the Red Cross.
- Volunteer to get groceries for an elderly person who is unable to go to the store.
- Share your extra toilet paper or bread with a needy neighbor.
- Buy some extra canned goods and take it to your local food pantry.
- Drop some pet food or kitty litter off at an animal shelter.
- If you have the resources, donate money to organizations like United Way and other community groups that will help people who can’t pay bills right now.
Show grace
While there is no normal right now, show grace to those around you.
- Love your family, your friends, and colleagues from a distance.
- Be patient with short tempers, anxious feelings, frustration, and fear.
- Offer the benefit of the doubt.
- Be slow to anger.
- Have realistic expectations for yourself and those around you.
- Don’t expect perfection.
- Let the little things go.
- Don’t hold a grudge.
Uplift those around you
When we face trials it is easy to place blame. Resorting to negative talk and feeling sorry for ourselves happens unless we make an effort to avoid it. Take that energy and use it to uplift those around you.
- Call the loved ones you cannot visit.
- FaceTime with your besties and have a virtual get-together.
- Put positive posts on social media.
- Share funny memes and gifs.
- Use messenger to share feel good videos or spread laughter.
- Record your kids and send them to their grandparents.
- Send cards to nursing homes.
Just because you are sheltering at home, doesn’t mean you cannot still show kindness or make a difference in someone’s life. It’s the little things that can become big things. Who can you share kindness with today?
0 Comments