Patience and perseverance in COVID

A few weeks ago, I wrote about our need to preserve humanity in this difficult time of COVID. This morning, after getting a message from a friend who teaches and is frustrated with the judgement and complaining she’s hearing only three days into our unprecedented school year, I started thinking about the lack of patience and grace in our current society. Thanks to technology and Tik Tok, we have developed short attention spans and short tempers. We are good at offering criticism and bad at offering praise.

So, for all of the people who are working extremely hard in this crazy time to improve the lives of people who might not appreciate your efforts, I share these words. I always attributed them to Mother Teresa. After doing research, I learned “The Paradoxical Commandments” were written by Kent M. Keith in 1968 as part of a booklet for student leaders. A version of them was written on a wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta, and that’s the version I share here:

Thank you to everyone working hard, and do not despair. Your efforts are appreciated!

What words of encouragement can you offer to teachers, healthcare workers, essential workers, public servants, and leaders in these difficult time? Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for being patient and grateful with me.

Julia Tomiak
I believe in the power of words to improve our lives, and I help people find interesting words to read. Member of SCBWI.

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