Same Storm, Different Boats

I recently saw a social media post critiquing the phrase "We're all in this boat together." The post instead said something along the lines of "We're all in the same storm, but we're in very different boats." Some of us, in smaller boats, and in very serious trouble, but those of us in larger, more stable boats, might be doing just fine. Some boats may be safely docked in a harbor, while others are desperately trying to stay atop the waves. Some boats are taking on water faster than they can pump it, and some boats may have already capsized. Some captains are panicking. Some wonder whether the lighthouses are leading us toward safety or danger. Some are holding a steady course, trying not to react. Some rage against the storm, while others are dancing in the rain.

We're all in the same general situation, up to a certain point, but we're all in very different circumstances, and that fact, plus our widely differing reactions, means that we're all being affected by this storm differently, and we're all going to experience different end results.

So, let's try to have compassion for each other, but let's try not to make any assumptions about how anyone is doing. We're all being affected by this storm differently. Most are being affected negatively, to differing degrees, some may be mostly unaffected, and some may even be benefiting from this storm in some ways. We don't really know what's going on with other people, so let's not assume. Let's ask, listen, have compassion, and be kind. We may not all be in the same boat, but we're all in this storm together. Maybe we can help each other weather it.