We are not all in the same boat though in the same storm

by: Hisham Badrul Hashim 

People are so busy telling other people how they should experience this pandemic, I don’t believe they are stopping to think, not everyone is in the same boat.

I’ve seen countless posts and articles online, degrading those who don’t come out of this with some new skill, those who don’t have their lives completely organised, or those who aren’t the healthiest they’ve ever been.

Hogwash I say! Enough already of this all in the same boat thing, for it's not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.

We are not all in the same boat.

I have friends who are enduring this quarantine alone whose only in person social interaction with others who are also socially distancing at the grocery store, once a week.

For some, quarantine is optimal. A moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.

For some that live alone they're facing endless loneliness. And though they understand the storm we’re all facing and will continue to do what needs doing to get our world back on track, they count the days until they can be with their friends and family again. While for others it is peace, rest & time with their mother, father, sons & daughters. It thrills some of those people to have all this free time to themselves. They’re basking in the quiet, taking time to reflect, work, and take care of themselves.

There’s nothing wrong with either group of people.
Yet, the social media warriors of the day tell us the first group is doing it wrong.

I’m one of those who gets to ride out this pandemic with my family. I also stay exclusively at home. I’ve been doing that since 2014. I’ve heard I should be handling this better than anyone else, it’s what I’m used to after all.

Wrong.

Hell, I’m 61 year old retiree and it’s completely new for me.

As an introvert, I thought I would handle this better. Our day-to-day has subtly changed, and it’s enough to throw everything out of whack.

With the weekly increase in unemployment some are bringing in more money to their households without having to work. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales.

For some not getting on with Family, domestic abuse is rife...we never know what goes on behind closed doors. What happens indoors stay indoors.

Some families of four like Mak Cik Kiah received RM8,664 ( cash & savings) from the stimulus package, while other families of four saw RM0.

Some were concerned about getting a certain cake for their birthday while others were concerned if there would be enough rice , milk and eggs for the weekend.

Some want to go back to work because they don't qualify for unemployment benefits and stimulus packages and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.

Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday.

Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don't believe this is a big deal.

Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come. A few like to draw up statistical charts to make predictions when this pandemic will end.

So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.

Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, actually seeing.

We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.

Realise that and be kind.

Before you share that meme or post, telling people what they should or should not be accomplishing during this time of social distancing, take a moment and think.

We are all in different boats.

But we are in the same storm, and with the support and understanding of our fellow human, we can all come through the other side a little kinder, a little gentler, a little more human.

Question is what boat are you in?

Our lives during the Covid-19 pandemic are like boats facing the ocean during a major tempest storm. The storm was the same but the boats were different in size, luxury and class.
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There are, among us, aboard a large, luxury and rugged cruise liner , and can sail comfortably in the wake of the storms - without the slightest hindrance.

There were, among us, aboard a small boat and its passengers were all seasick and many were knocked on the head.

There is, among us, on a sampan ride. After an hour or two of being hit by the waves, our boat collapsed and the passengers drowned.

And a few, that do not have any boat. They have to swim through the storm and may last only a few minutes before drowning.

Our reaction to the PM's announcement this morning about the MCO’s relaxation depends on the type of ship we board.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/hisham.b.hashim.75/posts/10219725108412858