Nov 6th, 2020: A Helping Hand as Stress Relief
The stress is high for teachers these days. Some told me it is challenging to teach with a mask on. Some said that it is not that simple to keep things clean. Some are exhausted by all of the new safety protocols that have to be in place. Many others also experience more stress in their workplaces. We never know how this virus spread. We can do all of the right things, and it won't stop the spread altogether. We can get upset at one another very quickly because we are fearful of the spread of Covid-19.
Be aware of our indifferent attitude when we are stressed. I have seen people doing that. We have to know how tired we are and be careful about letting our guard down. Technology might help if we know how to use it to protect ourselves. My approach is to consider safety protocols as something similar to physical therapy exercises. We need to do them regularly and often so that we can be well.
Be aware of our limitations when we are tired. There are things that we can do today, and there are things that we can wait for tomorrow. There is no need to rush and to feel as if we have to get everything done. Somehow this physical isolation exercise has created a false sense of urgency. It will take a bit longer time to go about our daily routine. Sometimes the line up at the grocery is longer than we anticipated. Sometimes it takes longer to get help on the phone (if you have tried Telus phone services in Canada recently, you might understand what I mean).
Be sensitive toward other people's needs when we are so preoccupied with ourselves. It might be helpful for us to take a second look around and see who might need our help when we are out. We might want to ask our neighbours and see whether they need anything. We might pay more attention to the elderly in our neighbourhood as the winter is coming. It is hard for them to get out when it is warm because of Covid-19. It will be a lot more challenging when it is winter.
So take a break from following the election in the US because that might cause some of us immense stress. We might want to trust God for whatever the outcome will be.
Here is the joke I read yesterday from a Vietnamese Social Media: "It takes Americans a few days or weeks after the election to know the result. We, Vietnamese, are doing a lot better. We knew the result long before we vote."
Matthew 11: 28-30
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
