Don’t let today’s stress be toxic for others

We have all had a lot of new stresses in the last few weeks.

Our routines have been turned upside down, and we’ve had to learn new things, like working from home or trying to homeschool children (and they teach math in a way that is much different now than the way most of us learned it.)

We can’t guarantee the grocery store will have what we want, although you can find most of the necessities, if not your preferred brand.

The ways we’re used to relaxing, like meeting friends at a restaurant for a meal, haven’t been available.

We’ve had to worship from our homes, and postpone the proms and graduations we were looking forward to.

There is even more uncertainty for many in the workplace, as businesses slow down or stop certain services.

So, it has been very hard, in many ways.

But, we shouldn’t take that stress out on strangers.

My mother works in an “essential” field, trying to help connect people with the resources they need.

She’s had some very difficult days.

Days when people have told her over the phone, “you’re useless,” and yelled and cursed at her.

She’s also had some very uplifting days, knowing that she helped someone find something they truly needed.

But, those days when it feels like the whole world is beating up on you, those are the ones that are even harder right now.

I understand how frustrated we’ve all been.

But, we have to try not to let that overflow in ways that are harmful to those around us or on those who are trying to help us.

And, the next time you’re about to yell at a stranger because you don’t feel like you’ve gotten the service you deserve, take a moment and picture looking into your mother’s face and saying, “you’re useless.”

Donna is the editor of the Daily American Republic and can be reached at dfarley@darnews.com .