2021 is soon drawing to a close. The Covid-19 virus that brought the world down to its knees two years ago, has lost intensity but is refusing to go. New variants are being reported every now and then. Will we overcome this battle or do we need to learn to co-exist with the Virus, only time can tell. That being said, I’d like to share with you the top five lessons this pandemic has taught me.
1. Don’t let life rush you unnecessarily. Live each day.
We often get so caught up in our day to day life and associated problems, that we forget to live. It will not be incorrect to say that many of us start to lead a mechanical life (as pseudo robots). We need to constantly remind ourselves that every moment spent worrying endlessly (about things outside our control) is moment wasted. We are never going to get this time back. Quoting the Bible (Matthew 6:34), “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”. This verse reminds us to live in the here and now; no wonder it is called the present (read gift).
2. You are far more stronger than you think you are.
When the life is sailing smooth, we seldom can assess our own abilities/courage. It is only during tumultuous times that our abilities and true courage is put to real test. In the summer of 2020, when the death rate due to Covid-19 (across the world) was at its peak, I was observing all precautions (of social distancing and sanitizing well) and hoping that God spares me. In the middle of May ’20 when I was planning to get vaccinated (as slots for my age had become available), destiny had other plans. Just a day before my scheduled vaccination date, I came out Covid-19 positive. By grace of God and the sound medical advice of my family doctor, I was able to fight the daemon and emerge victorious in about 4-6 weeks, and that too all alone (away from family). The aftermath (read side effects) took even longer to subside. That being said, given the comorbidities that I suffer from, I was certain that if I was infected, I won’t survive. Little had I known that I was undermining my own (and my immune system’s) abilities to fight adversity, me recovering was a stark evidence of the same.
3. Keep a Plan “B” in place for your career.
Covid-19 not only took lives, it became the reason for so many businesses to shut down. Companies (both big & small) shutting down operations, had a direct and adverse impact on the workforce that suddenly left them jobless. In India, people were dying not only because of Covid-19 but unfortunately due to starvation too. Just like project planning wherein we ensure that we have a Plan B to rescue us should Plan A fail, we must apply the same strategy to our career. Given the changing and uncertain times not having an alternative source of income can turn disastrous.
4. Save for the rainy days.
Almost everyone would have heard this piece of advice from their elders. Yet many of us choose to ignore this sound advice until it’s too late. Make saving a habit very early in life; those savings can help you get out of the deepest pit. In the Internet Age where flaunting on Social Media has become a fad, unconsciously we try to copy the lifestyle of celebrities and fashion influencers. Don’t dwindle your earnings by buying things to impress people who do not matter. Learn to differentiate between your wants and needs.
5. Count your blessings as opposed to shortcomings. Be thankful.
It is easy to point a finger towards the sky and blame God and Destiny for the mishaps in life. It takes courage to own up to the poor/bad choices that lead you to the trouble in the first place. When I was fighting Covid-19, being able to breathe without external aid (read Oxygen cylinders) was a blessing. While there were people dying due to paucity of Oxygen supply in the hospitals, here I was breathing on my own. So often we take such simple things for granted. Only during adversity, are we reminded to be grateful for things we have. Each day we need to make a conscious choice between being grateful for what we have over grumbling for what we don’t.
Stay home. Stay Safe. Stay healthy.
