As I write this, the SARS-CoV-2 (aka COVID-19) virus is spreading like wildfire and one half of the worlds’ population is in some state of lockdown. As part of my daily journal practice, the last entries before sleep are to express daily gratitude (doing this is shown to reduce stress and promote better sleep).
Lately, my gratitude journaling has been directed towards those on the front lines. When I’m interacting with these folks directly, even on the phone or email, I express my gratitude and I can tell from their reactions they need to hear it now more than ever.
Inspired by Seth Godin, I’m making these recent journal entries public with the hope of infecting someone else with sharing their gratitude, whether in person or on the pages.
I’m Grateful for…
Doctors, nurses, EMTs, volunteers, nurses coming out of retirement…everyone in healthcare who is putting their own health and life on the line to help those who are sick. My mother was a career nurse and I had my own prolonged healthcare experiences during my fight with cancer. I have deep respect and admiration for those working the front lines.
Drugstore staff, who in normal times, are confronted with sick folks all day long.
Police and fire staff who are putting themselves in danger in normal times, but now also have to break up groups of two or more who gather in the park.
Grocery store stockers, checkers, butchers, and other staff who put themselves on the front lines every day.
Garbage collectors, utility workers, and city workers who quietly do their essential infrastructure work unseen.
Staff and volunteers at homeless shelters and other organizations helping those on the street or in desperate need.
The staff of my apartment building who show up every day to manage services, deliver packages and maintain order.
Owners and staff at restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops, etc, who are fighting for the survival of their small business and the staff they employ.
USPS, UPS, FedEx and all the others delivering the mail and packages as we shelter in place.
Food delivery folks, Uber/Lyft drivers, and those putting themselves in the line of fire transporting people to the doctor or delivering food to strangers.
I’m so grateful to all of you and what you are doing.
Not Grateful for…
At the risk of introducing some negativity in an otherwise very positive post, I can’t resist calling out those who do not deserve my gratitude:
Leaders, local, state and national who are politicizing the pandemic and who are more worried about their electability than the people they serve.
Greedy opportunists who are buying essential supplies like face masks and gloves and selling at outrageous premiums.
Hoarders who are creating artificial shortages by buying way more essential and household goods than is their fair share or even practical.
Rumor spreaders and conspiracy theorists who are using the pandemic to stoke the flames of fear and xenophobia.
Positivity and good vibes…
To close on a more positive note, the people doing good and deserving of gratitude vastly outnumber those who don’t. So, again, thank you for what you do and know that I (we?) appreciate you.