Braving Covid19
I know people everywhere are scared, anxious, fearful and extremely disappointed about cancelled projects, gigs, vacations, flights, business losses and just about everything else. I am not here to undermine or belittle anyone's disappointment or problems no matter how big or small they may seem. After all, almost every I know is already battling their own personal and/or professional challenges from financial crises to health issues (mental and physical) from loss of loved ones to relationship issues, loneliness and/or absence of xyz factors in their lives.
But as I wrote in my comments published this week in many blogs, I think global emergencies/ pandemics like the #coronovirus show us all the more that we live in an extremely unpredictable world and that such challenges can affect every person equally irrespective of colour, background, qualification or experience and even health/ wealth status or position in society. It’s a humbling feeling; illnesses such as these don’t discriminate.
Any person, any time can be affected anywhere. So, what's there to worry about? I often ask people who experience fear and anxiety: ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ And coronavirus is presenting a worst case scenario in many ways, isn’t it? So if we can successfully battle this and come out of a global crisis such as this, over which have little or no control, then what’s stopping us from progressing at work and in life and overcoming our own personal obstacles which we have atleast some control of? I believe that all of us will come out stronger – we just need to re-frame our perspective.
Until then,
■ Be strong for yourself and your loved ones.
■ Be grateful for what you have right now even if it doesn't seem enough.
■ Be calm and take this as an opportunity to relax and unwind. Also, perhaps see this as a much needed break from daily grind and hustle.
■ Be kind to any and everyone and everything (human beings, animals, plants and the environment)
■ Be considerate and help someone in your circle especially those that are helpless and desperate, the elderly and sick particularly. Eating one less piece of bread or buying one less toilet roll/detergent/ soap may not help you as much as it would some one who is in more dire need than you. Good Karma pays off in unimaginable ways and sharing & caring definitely leads to God providing for you through channels you never knew existed.
■ Be mindful; don't forget to take necessary precautions for your sake and for the sake of others.
And lastly,
■ Be positive and if you are a person of faith, then don't forget to pray because ultimately there is a Supreme Being who will make sure everything will be okay, trust him and have faith.
On a lighter note, please keep the memes and jokes coming
Here are my thoughts on presenteeism and why working from home is one benefit of corona virus in the long run:
https://palife.co.uk/in-depth/presenteeism-inadvisable-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
https://www.workingmums.co.uk/why-presenteeism-is-bad-business-practice/
https://bizplus.ie/one-coronavirus-benefit-undermining-presenteeism/
https://decisionireland.com/2020/03/11/opportunity-in-a-crisis-a-new-view-of-presenteeism/
However, as much as we want to encourage working from home, for many out there especially the hospital staff this in not an option so please take moment to appreciate and be grateful, reach out to the brave staff members at all hospitals that are putting their own lives at risk to save and protect us
Lots of prayers, good wishes, positive vibes and virtual hugs. Stay safe and remember, we are #InThisTogether and together we will make it through