Small Efforts in the Direction of Healing

I think it's important that each of us is empowered to make decisions regarding preventative health measures -- that affect us personally -- as well as affect those we are in contact with.

I have never been a fan of getting a shot or taking medication. That said, I truly appreciate the scientists & researchers & public health officials who work tirelessly to learn, innovate, teach us about their findings ... & provide preventatives as well as palliative & curative medicines.

Today I got my Covid booster. I don't "like" doing it, I wish Covid didn't exist ... yet here we are.

I remember the first COVID vaccine I got at the Uniontown mall in February 2021 ...

The nurse said, "You must feel really lucky to get this today."

(the vaccine was going to elderly, immuno- compromised, & people like Jim&I who were in contact w elderly, youth, people in hospitals, etc)

Y'know what I said? "No, I don't feel lucky. I don't want to get this thing at all. AND I'll do whatever it takes that allows me to see my grandma. So jab me when you're ready."

My grandma was in a care facility & I hadn't seen her in over a year, actually since the end of February 2020 literally weeks before the country shut down (my grandpa had died ... I'm thankful he did not have to experience any of this).

Because of the vaccine availability, I was able to be with my grandma as she was transitioning ... I am so grateful for that time. She died the day after I got home from visiting her.

I mourn the over 1 million people who died in the first year of the pandemic in the U.S. ... & I grieve with their families. I am grateful, again, to the researchers & scientists who worked nonstop to produce a vaccine using the technology they'd perfected over years and years.

Each person must make their own peace with the way of the world today.

We are all doing the best we can -- and, I hope, with the intention of making the world a little more kind and compassionate for all people to thrive & contribute.

Be gentle this holiday season ... with yourself first ... and then with those who may differ from you in circumstance, mindset, faith, or worldview. I find I'm much more judgemental with others when I'm feeling harsh with myself.

I was harsh with myself regarding the vaccine -- I was fearful, I didn't understand, I was taking in a lot of information -- and that translated into me judging what others were doing as "right" or "wrong."

Yet when I could be gentle with myself -- what did I really want? I wanted to be with my grandma. I wanted to be with my family. I wanted to protect my loved ones. And I made the best decision I could at the time.

So however you choose to act this season -- beyond vaccines or politics or religion -- maybe start with gentleness. Consider beginning with kindness.

This is the most radical act, in a world jones-ing for us to armor up & go claws out.

Thank you to all of you, my Friends, who have shown me kindness & gentleness. You are giving me confidence to retract the claws, soften the armor ... & walk in the world a bit more softly.