I’m
scared.
And
probably not for exactly the reasons you might think (though likely
along the same lines that scare you as well).
Let’s
start this out with a trip for some groceries.
The
world has changed, and in many ways it’s both humorous and frightening.
As
individuals, we all have our preferences. You can think about
the Coca-Cola or Pepsi debate as probably the best example of
where we might all come down on different sides of a choice. That
out there, it can extend into the types of vegetables we select,
the brands we look for, and all sorts of decisions for which the
actual decision has already been made.
Coke
isn’t on sale? Don’t care what is on sale. No purchase.
These
days though, we can walk in and head to the orange juice.
Normally
we have brands… store name, Tropicana, Simply Orange, Minute Maid,
Florida’s Natural and more.
Normally
we have styles… no pulp, some pulp, lots of pulp, calcium added,
low acid and more.
Normally
we have sizes… you get the idea, lots of options.
We
wander in, grab a Tropicana Original, and meander back out.
Simple.
Not
today.
Whatever
your preference, if you head out for groceries and meander to
the juice section you might feel fortunate to see a gallon of
Minute Maid with extra pulp on the shelf. And nothing else.
Some
of the dazzling sights out there make sense. Empty shelves where
bread or chicken normally are on display. We would have guessed
that could be the case.
Some
of the sights make no sense. A wide range of jams and jellies
available, but an empty row (as a perfectly clean, single file,
front to back, empty wedge) where the pineapple preserves would
normally be.
We,
as a whole, are individuals that are making choices. In some ways
we are similar. In many we are very different. And now we are
making those choices and living those lives in a very strange
and weird world. One where we may or may not understand why we
can’t find the orange juice we like, or why a lot of people seem
to need pineapple preserves (and only pineapple preserves).
(Let’s
leave the grocery store and head to the state capitol buildings.)
I’m
not against the protests that have been taking place to reopen
businesses and more during these difficult days.
Personally,
I tend to be more to the cautious end of the spectrum. I don’t
like seeing people gather to protest. I think it’s a mistake.
But, I’m not against it… because I try to understand the other
side of a situation, and when doing so for the protests the pain
and frustrations that could possibly be involved have some reasons.
I
know many people that are having troubles.
Troubles
with the unemployment process. Troubles with having the doors
closed on their small business. Troubles with school being out.
Troubles.
If
you run a hair salon from home… are an independent contractor
that relies on small projects, word of mouth referrals and repeat
customers for the next job… design large portions of your life
around school schedules and other programs for children… the immediacy
and twists taking place provide obstacles and hardships that are
likely unfathomable to anyone that isn’t facing the same.
It
can be maddening and frustrating, bringing along a desire to get
back to normal.
I
don’t know if we can though. Not that we ever were.
We’re
living in a world where… hopefully… we all understand that normal
is a situation term, not an all-encompassing reality. Normal is
not perfect. Normal is personal. Normal is timely.
In
turn, the same way we might prefer to have a Coke there are some
people that don’t, and we need to recognize that many people have
uses for pineapple preserves.
I
think, by and large in generic ways, we’re seeing that understanding
settle in with people. It will be interesting to see if we are,
by mass majority, more patient, kind and tolerant of each other
as we return to—(ahem)—normal.
And
that is where we finally arrive at a little twist to the narrative.
Because the other thing I believe we’re all learning is that stupid
is stupid, regardless.
(Over
to Facebook.)
At
the exact same time the protests for a return to work were taking
place, someone I know placed a post on social media. He was craving
barbecue. But there were problems.
Places
that were serving it near him had closed. Seasonal places he loved
hadn’t opened.
So,
he was making an offer to his friends that cooked. He wanted barbecue.
Essentially for anyone that would make the food, he’d bring the
beer.
And
that is where this entire argument of protesters and stupidity
and more collide.
Do
you see it?
Do
you see where he may be exchanging beer for barbecue at one friend’s
house on Tuesday while bringing coffee over for brownies at another
friend’s on Wednesday? More so, the tossing of limiting exposure
efforts into a that-doesn’t-apply-to-me act based only on self-serving,
ignorant entitlement.
If
you have some special recipes for pineapple preserves, I’d actually
be quite interested to hear about them. If you’re anxious to open
the doors on your business and welcome back customers, my thoughts
are with you and I send my best. (Stay healthy, stay active, be
well.)
If
you’re knocking on my door with a six-pack, go home. Today, I’m
not interested.