“Be kind” is an injunction I’m seeing and hearing a great deal lately. It’s a direct quote from our Prime Minister, and sometimes seems like the best action we can take to alleviate the uncertainty and anxiety around Covid at present.
In pre-Covid times we could practise random acts of kindness whenever we felt like it. These acts were good to receive and satisfying to give. Now we’re living under the Red traffic light kindness needs to be more focussed. We need to be kind to our community by ensuring we’re vaccinated, scanning or signing in everywhere, and wearing masks.
Official information tells us to “Wear your mask whenever you leave home”, so yesterday when I went for a walk I took my mask in my pocket which I haven’t done before. No-one walking round the Loop was wearing a mask, except a group gathered under a gazebo on the riverbank. I put my mask on to approach them and ask what they were doing, and learned they were testing a drone which could be used for delivering medical supplies in Africa.
I was overdue for a haircut, so went to have one, thinking it was best to do it before any further restrictions are imposed. While the hairdresser failed to ask to see my Vaccine Pass she did request that I leave my mask on while my hair was being cut. This is different to how it was under the Orange traffic light, and must be awkward to manage. Presumably if you were having your hair washed in a salon the mask would be removed, or maybe wet cuts are not allowed now?
We popped in to the supermarket, deposited our soft plastic, and found they are limiting purchases of toilet paper and baked beans, but there was no queue at the entrance.
Right now it’s important to be kind to oneself. Taking life easy where possible and having little treats. I’d been looking forward to February when groups I belong to are scheduled to meet again, but this is now also uncertain. I’m lucky I have plenty of books to read and social contact online. I expect socialising in person will decrease, although cafés are still open, and I have a date to meet a friend later today.
We need to practise being kind
ensuring none are left behind
Ruth's Reflections 
I agree, treating yourself and being kind to both yourself and others is so important. Have a great week!
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I hope all goes well for you and that you are able to avoid the virus.
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Some years ago I heard that the Dalai Lama, in reply to the question ‘What is the most important thing we can do?’ said ‘Be kind’. It is the way to inner peace in his philosophy and resonates with me. It’s a habit to respond with aggression when we panic or feel stress, but to take a breath and think, ‘Be kind’ – to ourselves as well – is calming. I try to do it!
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We all need to try even harder to do it at the present time. It’s a pity Putin doesn’t follow this philosophy!
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A German politician suggested that Putin just wants respect. Since Russia supplies 50% of Germany’s oil and gas, you’d think they would be kind to him!
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Indeed!
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Where do you take your soft plastics??? I believe they can go to Countdown or the Warehouse at Eastgate .. but maybe there is somewhere else local as well
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We take ours to New World Durham Street. I believe Mitre 10 take them too.
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