Keeping Perspective

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An interaction with someone from Lybia.

I was downtown a few days ago waiting on a takeout order, when a man struck up a conversation with me. We were both wearing masks and keeping our distance, but I could tell he was missing human interaction. Initially, he talked about the long wait time at the restaurant. We quickly progressed into how one another was handling this time. He brought up the fact he was in this city alone, and had no family around. He was an older man, around 65 years of age I would assume. Noticing a strong accent along with his complexion, I asked him where he was from. He told me Libya, and that is where the rest of his family still resides. I could see the visible stress on his face as he spoke about the current condition there. Civil war, horrendous bombings, the virus and how an already struggling healthcare system was dealing with it. Although times are tough everywhere, he said he was grateful to be here. As he got his takeout order, he stopped one last time and told me, "things could always be worse." With a smile he walked away, leaving me to digest the interaction that just occurred. The key takeaway for me was simple; although this is a difficult time for many, things could always be much worse, and we must acknowledge that and show gratitude for what we do have. It seems like there is nothing but negative stories circulating today, so these small reminders of positivity must reign supreme in our minds. Whatever small conversation or instance you have that brings a positive light during this pandemic, remember it. When things get better (and they will), reflect on how that small light kept burning throughout the darkness.

#REL101

April 28, 2020

Jack Purscell

Jack Purscell

REL101

Arizona State University

Text

English Emotion

English Community & Community Organizations

Libya

conversation

perspective

positivity

interaction

Added subjects and small description - MTV 05/10/20

04/28/2020

05/10/2020

11/10/2020

11/15/2021

06/20/2022

06/15/2023

4/28/2020

I was downtown a few days ago waiting on a takeout order, when a man struck up a conversation with me. We were both wearing masks and keeping our distance, but I could tell he was missing human interaction. Initially, he talked about the long wait time at the restaurant. We quickly progressed into how one another was handling this time. He brought up the fact he was in this city alone, and had no family around. He was an older man, around 65 years of age I would assume. Noticing a strong accent along with his complexion, I asked him where he was from. He told me Libya, and that is where the rest of his family still resides. I could see the visible stress on his face as he spoke about the current condition there. Civil war, horrendous bombings, the virus and how an already struggling healthcare system was dealing with it. Although times are tough everywhere, he said he was grateful to be here. As he got his takeout order, he stopped one last time and told me, "things could always be worse." With a smile he walked away, leaving me to digest the interaction that just occurred. The key takeaway for me was simple; although this is a difficult time for many, things could always be much worse, and we must acknowledge that and show gratitude for what we do have. It seems like there is nothing but negative stories circulating today, so these small reminders of positivity must reign supreme in our minds. Whatever small conversation or instance you have that brings a positive light during this pandemic, remember it. When things get better (and they will), reflect on how that small light kept burning throughout the darkness.

#REL101

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