Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
~St. Francis Of Assisi
Who would not want to be in the shoes of the above-quoted Italian Patron Saint, especially at this critical juncture? We see a growing menace of vested camps crying foul over various measures of survival in place around the world. There is absolutely no dearth of opportunists pushing their personal agenda of political hawking. And, the worst part of the equation is the comparative ease with which they manage to entice the gullible.
Can anybody predict a time-frame when we shall be out of the current pandemic situation? When would life come back to normal, or will there ever be a normal like the one we are used to? Well, I am no authority on matters of either science or medicine. Even if I was, just like millions of qualified ‘experts,’ the answer would be a blank “No Idea.” I guess the answer to the second part may have more to do with our perception.
Some of us are better prepared mentally to face challenges and stay calm for a longer duration than others less endowed. Having said that, I would be more inclined to the wisdom inherent in the above words of wisdom.
A prayer to Dear Lord, asking for peace, shall help us better adjust to the current circumstances. The resulting sense of love for others endows us with the power to be considerate towards the most vulnerable members of our society. We shall thus be able to justify if our intent to break the rules could jeopardize their health and safety.
We may not necessarily face any personal injury due to the pandemic, but the strength to pardon any willing or unwilling partners in the unchecked growth of the virus will undoubtedly empower us to focus more on our loved ones. We can thus hone our energies towards removing their doubt while instilling renewed faith at the same time.
The above prayer offers us a chance to overcome despair and ignite the flame of renewed hope. It has the power to pull us out of the darkness of helplessness. An eternal light of innumerable possibilities will help us overcome sadness, and feel an everlasting joy to recreate the normal we are now missing.
Agreed, nobody can deny the unimaginable force of challenges we all face. It does not stop at the shortage of items of daily use, or the denial of liberty. Of course, we have every right to freedom. But how many of us actually understand the reciprocal obligations? We need to be considerate for others’ rights in much the same way as we intend to exert ours. No sensible society permits us to trample upon others’ rights at any cost.
- Are you willing to justify crowding under the looming threat of the deadly virus that knows no bounds?
- Are you willing to be the next casualty as a result of someone else’s yet unknown exposure?
- Are you comfortable with such liberty, even at the cost of infecting your loved ones?
- Are you desperate enough to contract the virus rather than adjusting, to survive?
- Are you stupid enough to claim this life as solely yours?
- Are you not aware of so many others that love you?
- Are you weak to the Nth degree of negativity?
Are you blind to the silver lining that shows us multiple indirect benefits springing out of this absolutely avoidable pandemic? If yes, please allow me to list some for easy reference:
- A real test of relationships, knowing who cares to check on us, and who has NO TIME to do that (know your WHY)
- A welcome cut in daily expenses, due to the forced closure of every possible avenue where you spent before
- A golden chance for bonding with all our loved ones while all possible distractions have fallen sideways
- An opportunity to help encourage each other’s hidden talents, and let their passions come to the fore
- A new awakening towards the essential, and the non-essential components of Daily Living
- A new YOU, without cosmetic pampering, and an ever-hungry, over-stuffed wardrobe
- A chance to be inventive by finding new means of entertainment for the family
The above list is not exhaustive by any means. I am sure the keen readers of this post will have plenty to add, out of their individual experiences.
On a closing note, I would like to quote Michael Jackson:
In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.
Are you with me on this?
Bharat, thanks for an uplifting read! Yes, I too trust that good will come from this time.
However slowly that may be for some folks! The recognition of freedom’s reciprocal obligations will grow in such a time as this.
Tiny opportunities to see the value of each bit of our time are more visible. Seeing how we can make a difference stands out more clearly. And the results of taking action can lift people to better attitudes. Because the uncertainty allows the tiny good things to stand out more than they would have before.
Answers are in the mental game. Thanks for highlighting that.
blessings,
Cynthia
It is with a heavy heart I tender my unqualified apologies for the inordinate delay in my response to your observation here, Ms. Cynthia; trust you will forgive me for the same and oblige! I especially appreciate your belief in grabbing the tiny opportunities that come our way more often than we realize.
Thanks a Million, With Warm Regards, and A Prayer For All
BM
Thank you Bharat for this timely message and invitation to thrive rather than survive! I welcome your spirit, and I believe that God gives us gifts which continue to unfold if we are open to them. Sometimes unsettling times provide fleeting opportunities for our taking. It is up to us. Stay safe and healthy!💖
First things first, Ms. Darlene, kindly accept my heartfelt apologies for the prolonged delay in response. Perforce circumstances, I missed the notification about your beautiful observation. Abundance is there aplenty, we only need to stay awake and receptive for the same to come around.
Thanks a Million, With Warm Regards, and A Prayer For All
BM
I subscribe to your reflections. Thanks for sharing them.
Some side aspects can be considered positive (I obviously speak as Italian and European!) :
in a few days we have solved the problem of traffic, reduced pollution, food waste, (relatively) the continuous political quarrels, we are more traceable for tax purposes because we have to show the receipt of the shopping, we have encouraged digitization and computer literacy, increased reading of books, rediscovered the pleasure of healthy home cooking instead of having frugal (and not very recommendable) meals at the bar under the office, rediscovered gardening and affection for dogs (perhaps only because they allowed us to go out !? !). We have become more supportive, more sociable and eager to interact with others, we have made the majority of citizens responsible for compliance with the rules, not to turn away if they see someone who is smart, we have learned to queue in a way tidy and to wash our hands (which is no small feat).
We spend much more time with our children and partners.
We made it clear to politicians that public health needs to be reviewed in many of its aspects. We Europeans have understood what Europe is and what it is not, who is our friend and who is not.
But, is there something “profound” that is changing in society, in people’s lives?
As I have just said elsewhere, maybe it could happen, and everything must be done in order to happen that this “shock”, in showing the profound limits of the current development model, and in the need to look for another possible way, every government does not stop at the surface, considering only the aspect the health of men and women, but finally put the person at the center, recognising its fundamental and unique value. Only then will the coronavirus be really served! And we will be able to see immediately the same commitment of governments and businesses towards children who die of hunger and cold, on the suffering and deaths of thousands of women and men because of wars and injustices. We will understand that death from coronavirus is no longer worthy of other deaths.
Dear Aldo Sir, kindly pardon me for the inordinate, and inexcusable delay in appreciating your wonderful observation in the present context. Keeping in mind the long gap, I trust things would be better in your part of the world by now. Yes, you are right about the role of the government in addressing such unforeseen calamity. The onus is upon us to tackle the challenges without an iota of desperation. Then, and only then, can we hope to come out of the hole and see a semblance of near-normalcy over the next little while.
Thanks a Million, With Warm Regards, and A Prayer For All
BM
You are welcome, Bharat.
Bharat – Strong words that must be heard right now. Thank you for having the courage to put them here for all to read. Your strength of character shines in this wonderful example. Thanks for being a light in this present darkness.
Thank you, Dear Len Sir; Your precious words help me stay the course!