Reflections on a month of COVID19

Today is the first day of the first month after our world changed, perhaps irrevocably, for so many of us, as our human species fights COVID19, a strand of protein wrapped up in a sheath of fat. And today also marks 5 years since I hung up my corporate boots and embarked on my new journey as a coach, facilitator, and trainer.

And as a coach, when we come to the close of our coaching engagements, I always ask my clients to reflect on 3 questions.,

1. What did you learn about yourself?

2. What are you grateful for?

3. What will you do differently, as you emerge from this learning experience?

I invite them to write and share 3 (no more, no less) responses after due reflection. And the whole process seldom takes more than 15 minutes.

COVID19, in its own insidious way, has been a tough coach for all of us.

And perhaps it’s time for all of us to pause and take a good look at ourselves. Starting with the strengths that we brought to bear in this difficult first month of this pandemic. It’s also time to give pause and express gratefulness for all the wonderful people and things that make up our lives. And more than anything else, because we are so prone to forgetting and lapsing back to the habits of old, it’s most important to clearly commit to what we will do differently once we are through the tough times. Because if we want things to change, we have to change first.

And so today, in the midst of all the changes that COVID19 has brought into our lives, I took some time off to reflect on the very questions I pose to my clients.

So, here are my reflections.

1. What I learned about myself living through a month of COVID19:

a. I realize that I can be completely by myself, yet not feel lonely in the slightest bit. (Thanks greatly to being connected with friends and family via social media)

b. I realize that I’m a darn good cook and can dish out some real healthy meals quite quickly. (When COVID19 is done and dusted, you should come by and taste my quinoa salad :))

c. As much as I value the flexibility of pursuing new work and personal arenas, there’s nothing like the rhythm of a simple daily routine to embellish one's sense of control and self-mastery.

2. What I’m grateful for after this month of COVID19

a. Family and friends, my daughter and son, and all those who have touched my life and made me who I am. Thank you for all the love, the care, and the humour through these days of social distancing.

b. My little Red Dot home, Singapore – an island of caring and committed individuals, where each person plays their part with discipline and humility and kindness.

c. The untapped ocean of knowledge that still lies before me, in the field that has always fascinated me – the workings of the human mind.

3. What I'll do differently after this month of COVID19:

a. Continue my COVID19 days routine of eating healthy, meditating, exercising. And share what I uncover in my personal journey with those that might be interested.

b. Practice “kindfulness” – do at least one conscious act of giving every day, to help those who might be less fortunate in some way.

c. Simplify my material needs – go easy on the earth, adopt minimalist practices, commute by public transport as far as possible.

So those are my reflections. And may I invite you to do the same – I would love it if you felt comfortable to share them in this post thread. Or message me. Or even if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, find a little notebook and write them down. But please do take some time to reflect and respond to these three little questions.

Because if 7 Billion of us choose to make even one small material change to how we choose to be as a species, it will seriously make a world of a difference. And will make our Pale Blue Dot a place of joy, peace, and harmony it always can be.

(PS : It's 30 years since a Dr. Carl Sagan made his Pale Blue Dot speech, something that always resonates deeply with me and always will)

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay positive. Stay connected.

Cheers,

Krish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKFkR9yfRoY