We're all in this together

By Shin Freedman

It certainly has been a struggle this year. With stress and incivility ever escalating, it's an overwhelming time of chaotic change, constant adjustment, ambiguity and sadness.

We have had to deal with the pandemic numbers climbing, working parents with small children facing dire situations when the daycare closes not just a for a week or two, but for a month and more, the loss of family members, and more barriers to getting work done.

Colleagues are experiencing combative students in the classroom over the university mandate for wearing masks or even worse, students not showing up at all. Through it all is volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity ― about the future, our health and inflation.

You go to Starbucks for a quick cup of cappuccino and then wait forever and ever. Since you are in a queue, you can't back out to leave either. You are stuck there. Be patient. In my most recent business trip and stay at a COVID-shrouded hotel, I experienced firsthand the shortage of the hotel's housekeeping staff.

The front desk announced that guest rooms are cleaned twice a week only, but even in such circumstances, the rooms get cleaned only on demand. Otherwise, nothing happens. It could be a lot worse. At times, I feel that the whole world seems to be short staffed ― in a convenience store, restaurants, or in the post office. Be patient and be flexible.

Here's another mantra to myself: I keep reminding myself, “Be Good to Yourself.” It is impossible to take care of others whether they are your kids, spouse, parents, coworkers, grandkids, or the community if you don't have the peace of mind and the energy to be yourself. So be good to yourself, even though the circumstances of never-relenting academic guilt and work life imbalance are taking up any time for self-reflection.

The media has reported that massive resignations or retirements are happening now. Some are due to job burnout, resignation, or because stress on the job is ever increasing. People simply leave their jobs which they once loved at some point. It's easily translated as stressful work/home life.

One good thing that has happened during the pandemic is that we had the time to examine what's important to us. So, I am pondering whether it is time for me to retire. I am focusing back on what's important to me. Focus on what matters to you.

Indigenous people practice the belief that gratitude and giving back are two sides of the same coin. As the holiday season approaches and the semester draws to an end, I am reminded to be thankful, not to take anyone or any kindness for granted and to give back. Be kind and be thankful for what has been given to you. After all, we are all in this together!

Shin Freedman (

shinfreed@gmail.com

) is an author of "Accidental American."