To the Left, to the Left: That's Right, It's You Again

"Oh, how the tables have turned..."

[Insert the chuckle, crescendo the devious laughter, cue the dramatic music]. I am sure you have heard the infamous phrase before accompanied by a number of sound effects; I say it myself (mostly sans the spontaneous tones and inward melodies). More recently, I have found myself saying it repeatedly and more frequently. As of late, reversals of fortune have been on the brain. If and only if it ever happened to someone else, the others of this world. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven time and chance happen to us all.

Here are some tables that turn:

Relationship ► Relationship·less

Hiring Manager ► Job Seeker

Lender ► Borrower

Encourager ► Mourner

Protector ► Defendant

Creator ► Laborer

Living Being ► Deceased

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If it is not already evident, our lives are fragile. Our glass can and will be shattered in a moment's time. And often, we recognize it not when we exist on the left side of the arrow. How pitiful and helpless we stand to the right, doing all in our power to clamor back to our "rightful" (rather, leftful) position.

What ground do we have to stand on? What hands can move you? What if there was something to be gained to the right? Where do our eyes look? While of of course there is hope and thorough joy to be found to the left of the arrow, there is more we should mimic and cultivate heart-wise for our testimony on the right: humility, thankfulness, and dare I say care and celebrate those around you. Believe me, there is a time for pity. But, what might it look like for you to take your eyes off of yourself? For me, I'd argue there may be greater gain and glory there. And I believe we'd recognize that we are not as frequently on the right as we might tend to think.

Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash