Familiarity Breeds Contempt, but does it have to?

I have heard this saying, and it is often used in a negative way. It portrays the parties involved as snappish and unloving. In fact, every definition of the word contempt is unflattering and ugly. And in our fourth week of Quarantine 2020, being confined to our homes brings this phrase to mind. It worries me that human nature being the finicky and sometimes most vicious part of our character, I wonder what even the best of us can evolve into.

Some are calling it cabin fever. And again, fever in a word linked with the unpleasant vision of disease and emotional distress. And for those with a militant frame of mind, our quarantine is like house arrest. With mask as the ankle bracelet. It brings to mind the more modern idea of being detained. But this AKA is more truthful to what has happened. Because “arrest” is to slow down and take stock of where you are.

The more confined we are, without the option of escape, the more likely we are to get on each other’s nerves. But this arrested time could be a wonderful blessing. We can take this opportunity to see each other more clearly. This can be a time to relearn the lessons of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Mercy, we thought we should be getting, and now learn that we were not. Grace, we felt we were giving and now learn it has been rejected by hurt. The forgiveness we expect to receive only to discover that neither of us has fully understood its value. So, this is a time of reflection and growth and a fantastic opportunity to relearn kindness.