If you're having #money woes during the #pandemic, and someone shames you for being #poor or insinuates that the stressors of being financially strained are your fault because you choose not to be happy....just walk away. This person is not worth your time. Give them their...1/15

shame back. People who try to elevate themselves based on other's misfortunes are miserable people. They often have no idea what happiness actually is. It is an inconstant emotion because life is inconstant. You can't maintain it by insulting the downtrodden, getting drunk, /2

having risky sex, hoarding things, or getting rid of people who challenge your world view. Now you can nurture contentment. You can be at peace with any detriment. You can maintain personal ease by treating yourself and others well, and acknowledging that sometimes life... /3

sucks and that 'suckage' is mostly temporary. Once you release the #stress, you can find your contentment again even if the source stress remains--even in the middle of a pandemic. We are living in extraordinary times, and many people are suffering. You might want to hide... /4

from it. You might want to guard your little flame of hope from others who have no matches. I challenge you to not do that. In times of crisis, our humanity is the one thing that can't be stolen from us. Compassion costs nothing, but it's invaluable to the recipient and the... /5

giver. And it's worth remembering that everyone is suffering to some degree during this crisis--unless they're psychopaths. Because even the financially sound face uncertainty here. Everyone is going to need their tribe to get through this. And we're all part of... /6

the same one. Yes, I repeat. We're all part of the same tribe.

This thread was inspired by a narcissistic rant where someone tried to shame me for being poor and worried about how #COVID19 is going to impact me the longer it goes on. First off, I'm not ashamed... /7

of being poor. I have an illness that prevents me from working, but I am doing my best to find solutions that will improve my situation in time. Like #writing. It's not my fault life is tough right now, and I won't carry other people's judgments that it is. I know I'm not... /8

alone in this. There are people reading this thread who are facing hardships through no fault of their own, too, and who find themselves dodging other people's judgments.

Don't carry others' shame. Look for solutions to improve your life, and know that even if you're sick.../9

or poor, that you still have value. You can contribute to society by being there for others. You are not dead weight. It's OK to be afraid. Everyone is. We don't have to put on a brave face, but you do need to hold your head up high. Remember, money doesn't give you value. /10

It lets you buy things, but it doesn't make you a success. The more cash you have, the more toys you can buy, but we all know you can't take that shit with you in the end. I'd much rather be a poor author who published a beloved book than a rich narcissist who thinks../11

the world should dance to their tune.

So again...I want to say that I know everyone is feeling the impact of the pandemic. I know it's scary. And those of you who still have savings, you don't have to feel guilty that others don't have that liquidity. You don't have to /12

bleed yourself dry to help. What you can do is drop off a few cans of goods to the food bank, and/or offer to pick up some veggies/eggs for your senior neighbour who can't get to the grocery store. And if you don't have the financial reserves to do that, just be there for.. /13

your community. Call neighbours/ friends in isolation. Stay home. Be kind. Don't play the blame game. People are suffering enough. One day this will be over, and we'll need to rebuild our communities. Hopefully, we can make them better. I'm up for that. Each of us can play... /14

a part in making society stronger. Sure, I'm nervous about getting #COVID19 due to my pre-existing health issues. And I'm worried about the inevitable supply-chain interruptions and price gouging. But I'm more worried about society breaking down. Let's make sure it doesn't. /15