People can be out of sorts.....

[Merle Nelson]

I consider myself a student of human nature. It has been eye opening to watch people react to things in ways that are not in keeping with their usual ways of being.

One of the ways I enjoy thinking of our motivations as humans is through a model called The Six Human Needs. It states that the first human need is for Certainty. Interestingly, once we are all filled up with certainty we get bored and pretty soon we're looking for a roller coaster or something else to break the cycle of boredom. Because, the second human need is for Variety. It goes on.

Well.......there is probably not much better way to undermine certainty in a persons life than to threaten everything and everyone with a global pandemic. Tomorrow what systems and services will stop? Who will die that you know? How long will this go on?

Make sure to give those that are close to you especially, time to go through their emotional ups and downs, their form of learning and growing. I feel like many of us face choices every day that have us ponder death and make decisions based on risks etc. And I notice this is hard on me in ways. For some this is closer to a brand new experience in their lives.

Let's be generous with ourselves and others.

 

[Tony]

Make sure to give those that are close to you especially, time to go through their emotional ups and downs, their form of learning and growing. I feel like many of us face choices every day that have us ponder death and make decisions based on risks etc. And I notice this is hard on me in ways. For some this is closer to a brand new experience in their lives.

Let's be generous with ourselves and others.

Merle,
You make an excellent point. What we as production arborist have to offer the world is a way to identify then, manage a hazard. I have had the opportunity to consult with crews that are out in the field working. I tell them this is just one more hazard, just one more consideration to handle. One more obstacle to be dealt with before getting home safe.

You are correct, most people have little to no experience with hazard mitigation. Let us share with our familes and friends this piece of our profession.

On a human level, I have been a climber, arborist, writer, philosopher introverted student of rope for decades. NOW social distancing is a thing!! On a serious note, if you are like me and “alone time” is the norm and part of why you love tree work, reach out to your extroverted friends and co workers. They need you. They need to adopt some of your ways, just as you have had to adopt some of theirs.

Tony

 

[Merle Nelson]

Ahh, good thoughts.

Careful though, when a lawyer comes home from work and applies "critical thinking' and "argue to win" to his communication with his wife it is reported to not go well.

Part of that may be she never wanted or had a knack for being that critical in her thinking, and perhaps winning isn't that high of a value for her. In short, if it was, she would be a lawyer or something similar.

People are good at being where they're at. From there I definitely think we have skills to offer just as there are skills I learn from others. But, I learn bit by bit, others may too.