Embracing the extremes
In this very modern “instant everything” era, no one would expect a pandemic to stand for months without a cure and would keep us on lockdown inside our homes longer than we like.
It’s an extreme event, but since it’s already upon us, we might as well embrace it.
Embracing the new normal
When the news broke about the COVID-19 health crisis back in January, people across the globe resorted to panic-buying, and the “every man for himself” attitude took over instinctively. In Australia, two women were even sued for fighting over toilet paper.
As the weeks pass, there’s more awareness of the disease and how it can be avoided. We start settling in our homes and enjoy every bit of supply we manage to get. At this point, a sense of solidarity took over. In Italy, people chant “don’t give up” and sing from their balconies to lift up each other’s spirits.
There was a lot of getting used to, but as we embrace the reality of the situation, we find ourselves adjusting and growing resilience. Riding the lows help us appreciate the highs.
Life’s golden reminders
This is not at all an ideal state. But finding meaning helps me look forward to how we can all come out of this. While on lockdown, I’m reminded of these things:
- Health is wealth. As cliche as it may sound, this saying bears much meaning, and we realise this more in times like this.
- Crisis brings out the best in us. It’s inspiring to see stories of governments, health workers, and frontliners sacrificing to serve the greater good, and how countries help each other by sending test kits and other medical equipment to those that are vulnerable and struggling.
- “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.” Quoting Robert Schuller, many successful people have actually gone through the worst, and they worked their way out becoming the best in their pursuits.
J.K. Rowling, the famous author of Harry Potter, for instance, was a broke, depressed, divorced single mother. Despite that, she rode her imagination and wrote her masterpiece. She got rejected countless times but persevered anyway. Now she’s a record-breaking billionaire author.