Most of us have never experienced a global pandemic in our lifetimes.  

We’ve read about them.  But that’s different than living it.  

Self Compassion

Have compassion for yourself in this situation.  

You’re just figuring out how to be a person in a world with a pandemic going on.  

You might do or say dumb things.  You might make decisions you regret.  You might yell at your kids more.  

You might also make brilliant choices.  And you might find levels of love compassion you never knew you had.  

You won’t be perfect at managing this situation.  

Compassion for Others

Neither will the other billions of humans on earth.  They are feeling all the feels too.  

And sometimes they make terrible choices.  Sometimes they will make good ones.  

Have some compassion on them too.  

Some feel defiant and dismissive about the limitations.  They judge those who are staying in and stocking up on toilet paper.   

Others feel panicked and want to control those who are going out and getting together during this time.  

The Alternative

Judging feels terrible in either direction.

As much as we wish it worked, JUDGING OTHERS DOESN’T CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR.

So the person we’re hurting by judging is ourselves.  Why add terrible and resentful to the already complicated emotion cocktail during this pandemic?  

It doesn’t mean you don’t share your opinions or thoughts.  Do.  

But do it with compassion–knowing we’re all figuring this out.  

It feels so much better.  

What it Looks Like

Compassion looks like forgiving yourself when you lose it.  

It’s holding your tongue when you see a post on Facebook that you think is ridiculous.  

It looks like asking yourself what the other person might be thinking or feeling to act in such a crazy way. 

Compassion is taking a deep breath and trying again to help you daughter with a math problem you’ve already worked on twice.  And scooping her up in a big hug or giving her high five when she gets it.

You get to feel whatever you’re feeling toward others.  Feeling love and compassion feels so much better than judgement.