A (Partial) Remedy to Feeling Self-Pity duringThe Pandemic

Source: dhgate.com

Yesterday I paid a visit to a neighborhood “Little Free Library” where I left a book and picked up a book. What was different in this library were the bags of Doritos and potato chips in addition to the books on the shelves.

A note explained that visitors to this little free library were encouraged to take a package because the original owner had had to cancel his (her) birthday party arrangements due to Manitoba’s latest restrictions on public gatherings. She had purchased the chips and Doritos for her birthday party but now had all these packages that she could not use and so she wanted to share them with those of us who visited the library.

I admired the would-be-birthday girl. Instead of feeling sorry for herself because of our shared social suffering during the many months of Covid restrictions she reached out to all of us and offered us a small but meaningful gift.

Treating others with a positive attitude offers many rewards not least of which is to fight back against feelings of depression and discouragement.

John Perry, Sj, is doing pastoral ministry at St. Ignatius Parish, Winnipeg and is researching and writing at St. Paul's College..

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4 Comments
  • Mike Hyland
    Posted at 14:16h, 16 July Reply

    What an encouraging story! Thanks for sharing.

  • Eric Jensen, I'm often a robot
    Posted at 14:58h, 16 July Reply

    Brilliant! It would be great if this were possible in every neighborhood!

    Maybe only in Manitoba?

    Eric Jensen

  • Carole Tiefenbach
    Posted at 17:52h, 17 July Reply

    It also happens in Saskatchewan!

  • Peter Bisson
    Posted at 00:23h, 18 July Reply

    Thank you John!

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