You say that you 'imagine the worst thing that could happen to us would be some kind of disaster which keeps us apart, alone and in our homes, separated from one another.' That's exactly the disaster that we just endured over the last few years with COVID. And it did produce plenty of distrust and self-pity. And I wonder the extent to which it has impacted / led to that common complaint about our country going downhill and not treating one another with respect and kindness. All concerned about ourselves in our own bubbles. Except – the element of kindness and gratitude I heard most often expressed was for the hospital nurses and emergency workers keeping people alive – and as your essay suggests, this is no surprise, because they were the ones seeing the suffering, touching the suffering, experiencing the suffering on a daily basis.
Yeah that’s what I was thinking too. I believe that’s why it was so awful— the effects were way more subtle and insidious.
A lot of the first responders I talked to got absolutely wrecked by the experience, but none of them are pessimistic or negative about it. Mostly just acknowledging that it was hard work. That’s cool
I was in Houston during hurricane Harvey. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the TV news, almost praying for an even worse catastrophe. It struck me as very perverse. Obviously. This article frames that experience a little more kindly. catastrophes sometimes bring out the best in us, and maybe that’s what people were subconsciously hoping for. Something to bring the meaning of their life into sharp focus. To give them something to be heroic for in the face of something terrifying. Something to do.
I totally agree. We subconsciously want a catastrophe so that our actions matter again. To reset all the artifice that clogs up everyday life and interferes with real life
"when we are all suffering, when we are all fighting the same specter—whether war or heat or hunger—we come together. We lean on each other. We soothe and reassure and smile (even if grimly). We suppress our sorrows. We shoulder on. " You're right, Grant, it's the one thing which makes the worst moments and events bearable and survivable, our capacity to show kindness to each other.
Yes, Grant, I have. It leaves its mark and if you're lucky, you're never the same again, but in a good way, better, you hope it stays better. Keep on writing, I know you've got tons of stories coming from your work.
We seem to be at our best when we have a purpose and there’s no better purpose than helping others. Hurricane Harvey brought thousand of volunteers from within the city as well as other states. We saw volunteers rescuing people in boats, tearing out debris and soaked Sheetrock, feeding thousands in stadiums and administering trauma relief like EMDR, and it went on for months. Then came Covid lockdowns and the ugly came out and in many cases remains. Helps explain why solitary confinement is the harshest prison sentence...
You say that you 'imagine the worst thing that could happen to us would be some kind of disaster which keeps us apart, alone and in our homes, separated from one another.' That's exactly the disaster that we just endured over the last few years with COVID. And it did produce plenty of distrust and self-pity. And I wonder the extent to which it has impacted / led to that common complaint about our country going downhill and not treating one another with respect and kindness. All concerned about ourselves in our own bubbles. Except – the element of kindness and gratitude I heard most often expressed was for the hospital nurses and emergency workers keeping people alive – and as your essay suggests, this is no surprise, because they were the ones seeing the suffering, touching the suffering, experiencing the suffering on a daily basis.
Yeah that’s what I was thinking too. I believe that’s why it was so awful— the effects were way more subtle and insidious.
A lot of the first responders I talked to got absolutely wrecked by the experience, but none of them are pessimistic or negative about it. Mostly just acknowledging that it was hard work. That’s cool
As Mr. Rogers said, “look for the helpers”
I was in Houston during hurricane Harvey. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the TV news, almost praying for an even worse catastrophe. It struck me as very perverse. Obviously. This article frames that experience a little more kindly. catastrophes sometimes bring out the best in us, and maybe that’s what people were subconsciously hoping for. Something to bring the meaning of their life into sharp focus. To give them something to be heroic for in the face of something terrifying. Something to do.
I totally agree. We subconsciously want a catastrophe so that our actions matter again. To reset all the artifice that clogs up everyday life and interferes with real life
"when we are all suffering, when we are all fighting the same specter—whether war or heat or hunger—we come together. We lean on each other. We soothe and reassure and smile (even if grimly). We suppress our sorrows. We shoulder on. " You're right, Grant, it's the one thing which makes the worst moments and events bearable and survivable, our capacity to show kindness to each other.
Thanks Edward! Have you experienced anything like that in your life?
Yes, Grant, I have. It leaves its mark and if you're lucky, you're never the same again, but in a good way, better, you hope it stays better. Keep on writing, I know you've got tons of stories coming from your work.
We seem to be at our best when we have a purpose and there’s no better purpose than helping others. Hurricane Harvey brought thousand of volunteers from within the city as well as other states. We saw volunteers rescuing people in boats, tearing out debris and soaked Sheetrock, feeding thousands in stadiums and administering trauma relief like EMDR, and it went on for months. Then came Covid lockdowns and the ugly came out and in many cases remains. Helps explain why solitary confinement is the harshest prison sentence...
Yes! Great tie in to my previous essay!
If you remember, I had a job in the fall of 2018 dealing with Hurricane Harvey relief. Nearly a year later, we were still picking up the pieces...