Good to see each other

 This week I met some work colleagues for the first time in more than 18 months.  

The atmosphere was great.  People chatting with each other, as if it was Christmas! 

The atmosphere felt different.  And we went back to old conversations.  As if nothing had happened...

As human beings we need some sort of social interaction.  Just to keep us more tuned with each other at work for example.  Or to allow us to catch up with what goes on.  It was telling for me how I missed it, and how we make things happen.  We have computers, mobile tablets or phones, but there is no substitute for the face-to-face conversation I think.  Even if we have got bit older, we still recognise each other by how we speak, look or listen.  

And I could not help but crack a couple of jokes.  I was not the only one!  

The limits of kindness

Monday morning in one of my favourite cafes.  Writing bits of a new book chapter.  A flurry of emails to look at.  Some things to do before they become too big to attend.  A longing, a desire to be with people.  

2013.  Me and my twins.  Trying to survive.  Stepping in for a colleague who needed urgent treatment.  I cover for him, and another colleague who found it difficult to teach the postgraduates.  I was kind at the time.  Early waking up.  My wife was kind to me and the children.  We made it.  

2021. One email gets my attention: we need to cover for a colleague; another one does not want to teach software use.  Yes, we are all busy.  But why is it that some who are in the digital world (or at least they say they are) do not want to learn about new tools, let alone share with others? 

I say no.  In my own ways.  

2020-2021.  We have all survived lock-downs and challenges in the last few years.  Kindness has helped.  But there are limits to kindness.  

If anything, lock-down (s) have taught me that we all need support.  But it is not fair to continue relying on the same people who give it and the same people who ask for it.  This forces us to be creative, I will give you that.  But there are ethical limits to how creative we can be. 

It might be good to limit our kindness.  Not with a view that we cannot do anything new.  But rather to be responsible with our energy and to also teach others what we think is important in our lives.