Privilege

Are you privileged?  As you look around you and think about your situation you might think "no".In this time of "pausing" from our normal life we have some time the contemplate just who we are and what we have. And we may just discover that we really are privileged. No, not to the point where we could, as someone just did, throw down over $900,000.00 for Paul McCartney's scrawled lyrics for "Hey Jude". But for a lot of us the basic necessities of life were not put in jeopardy by the corona virus.

In comparison to most of the world we are fortunate. We have a reliable, safe place in which to eat, sleep, and "shelter". We have reliable sources of food - and if we are nervous about going food shopping we can order in, have our groceries delivered to our homes and all we have to do is make sure the groceries get delivered to the right place, hands free.

Many of us have jobs that allow us to work at home, so as to avoid physical contact with coworkers in the office or commuters on the bus. For most of the past 20 years I worked from home at least part of my workweek. My adjustment for the virus was that I went from 3 days to the full week at home.
My job is in the "essential" status, Medicaid insurance, where the digital rules and business is expected to substantially increase. Especially when more people face unemployment and the loss of their work sponsored healthcare. And we live in a safe community with police, fire, and medical help is nearby. I even have a safe, uncrowded place to walk and commune with nature to safeguard my sanity. And with my dear wife of over 25 years I am not alone.

But not everyone has that. Many work in industries, like manufacturing for example, where even if the company was open to remote work, the nature of the work prevents that. Many work in areas like retail, food service, and small business where not only is the work unable to be done at home, the jobs are not considered essential and businesses are closed and many unemployed. Think about job hunting in a social distancing world.

And still many are cut off from the digital world, so even keeping in touch with others are limited.And many are alone, truly isolated.And that is just here in the US. In the global arena it is even worse.

I say this not to make anyone feel guilty. I don't feel bad for having the advantages I do. But it is important first of all to put it in perspective. It could be much worse - which isn't always comforting, but it is important to remember - even in normal times. I say it to remind us to be grateful everyday, in good times and bad. And to remember everyday that there are many out there who do not have those same privileges. Who instead have vulnerabilities and strong challenges.

Remember those who are the front lines of "battle" with the virus , fighting for peoples lives.The doctors, the nurses, the firefighters and police, who don't have the option of "sheltering".Remember those who are in essential jobs who must go out, and who can't maintain the "6-foot"
rule, who are daily exposed and still go out.

From your position of privilege try to reach out to help in any way you can. Donate if you can to agencies providing help and supplies. Reach out to anyone you know who is alone - I know they would appreciate love in words. And when you do venture out a wave or a smile can travel beyond 6 feet. It is small, but I know it lifts my spirits when I walk.

Not guilt, but gratitude is my aim. And I am grateful I can write and share to do my small part to encourage us to press on through these challenging days, hopeful to see the light at the end of this particular tunnel. We had days and years before the virus came - we will have days and years after it passes on. And it will. But gratitude should survive and prosper.