Embracing Bizarro
He has freeze vision, not heat.
He has flame breath, not ice.
He can see short distances behind him, not long distances ahead.
He is an ugly, chalky white monster, not a handsome, perfect male specimen.
He uses all his power for evil intent, not for truth, justice and the American way.
He is Bizarro. And we need him.
Of course, we do. How would we ever truly appreciate the value that Superman brings if we never would experience the horror of Bizarro? And if not Bizarro, then any one of the other supervillains that the Man of Steel routinely battles and ultimately conquers so we can get back to our happy, “normal” lives.
Ahhhh. Now you see where I’m going.
We are getting one hell of an extreme kick in the ass. The unprecedented sickness, death, social isolation, job loss, lifestyle uncertainty, governmental conflict, etc., that we are experiencing are shaking the world like never before. And don’t even get me started on the lack of toilet paper, unruly hairstyles, evil looks when approaching someone’s invisible six-foot barrier and relationship challenges when you can’t see someone live and in person.
I don’t see my kids as much as I used to. It makes sense not to shuttle them back and forth like we did before. Tuesday night dinners are now just a setting for one and there is zero activity on every other weekend. I used to get a bit of anxiety on those weekends when we would just sit around with just the TV, computer and iPad. But now I wouldn’t mind sitting around, just being together, no matter what we are doing. So now, we shoot each other messages throughout the day (if your kids are like mine, texting is the much-preferred method of communication) but nothing is like presence. When we get back to our biweekly routine, I am sure we will enjoy the time much more than we might have before. I wonder why?
I haven’t seen my parents in months. They are on Staten Island and stuck inside. Fortunately, they are doing well (Italians tend to have a good deal of food in the house and Mom is a great cook). Before all this, we would usually talk every Sunday. Now we talk every day. Just to check-in and share the events, no matter how minimal, of the day. Mom and I swap recipes while Dad and I discuss the news and suggest movies to each other. We make each other laugh and it’s a great part of the day. We never did that before. I wonder why?
Looking for a new career is a real treat. Many companies have significantly reduced, or even eliminated, their hiring budgets. No surprise there. But this will turn around and the opportunities will come roaring back. Some will be different as business models will all change to some degree. I have been refining what I am looking for in terms of roles, firms, and people. This time has pushed me to re-assess my priorities yet again. I wonder why?
So, without minimizing the horrible impacts that we have all felt (and some have felt it much more horribly than others), maybe, in some very weird way, we needed this kick in the ass.
To reassess what is truly important to us. To reconnect with others for whom we were always too busy. To value the challenges and achievements that come with our career, or to realize that we have only this one life to pursue the career that we always wanted. To be more comfortable in letting others know how we feel. To really appreciate the little things that we have taken for granted for way too long (and yes, I even mean full shelves at the store and a trip to the barber).
Maybe, in some very weird way, this world will be much better when this is all said and done.
How bizarre.