Time to be grateful!

If I write that Covid-19 has changed everything, I am not saying anything new or original. In recent months, my life, the same as yours, has been impacted by the coronavirus – the invisible enemy lurking around the corner. Everyone must fight against it. Thousands of people have died, and millions are paralyzed by the unprecedented circumstances we are now living. Nevertheless, I look optimistically to the future and conclude that it is high time to be grateful!

Helplessness. Panic. Hysteria. Chaos. These words best describe the Dutch Spring of 2020 when Covid-19 arrived in the country. The virus spread throughout the world and froze society. Moreover, it was not the virus itself but the sentiment of fear surrounding it. We were pushed to change our way of life in nearly all aspects. From being unable to go shopping or frequent the gym, the plans we had to sample new items before purchasing them or build muscles per a careful plan of weekly exercises have disappeared. All endeavours we had planned would no longer occur. ‘These are surreal times. We are living and fighting with an invisible enemy, while still trying to survive’. These were the statements on the lips of the those I have been in touch with, such as colleagues, who began to dislike the jobs they had been doing for ages, and students, who began to consider withdrawing from their study programs, even though just a few months earlier they had felt they were living their dream. And entrepreneurs, who were pushed to close their businesses or drastically limit their activities. We all began to focus on the basics and ask questions about the purpose of life, as various aspects of our lives that we had been building were now inaccessible, had vanished or crashed. We are now forced to reset our thinking and behaviour.

More than three months of existing in lockdown were enough for me to conclude that it is time to be grateful!

It is time to be grateful!

It is time to be grateful for everything we've got the opportunity to experience before a 'new normal' began.

For time spent with family, moments spent in nature, travelling or entertainment activities, which have now been replaced by sitting at home and observing empty streets through the kitchen window.

For serving in church, where I could further develop my talents, grow spiritually or volunteer, which included preparing food for the needy or sharing the Gospel on crowded streets.

For all the people I've met, who have shaped my character through in-person conversations where emotions and body language could be observed, which are important elements of conversations.

For all the countries I've visited, including Iran, my favourite country, where I could knock on the door of village inhabitants, practice my Farsi and drink a freshly brewed Persian tea (chai) that had been generously offered.

For all the events I've attended, including the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, where I could sit with the Dalai Lama, Muhammad Yunus or Sharon Stone in the same theatre room and be inspired by their way of thinking.

For all the conferences I've participated, where I could ask intriguing questions, grow, continue discussions in the corridors during the breaks and shake the hands of distinguished scholars.

For all the classes of international students I've taught, where I could share my knowledge and experience and observe cultural differences.

For all the flights I've taken, which were many, where I was open to meeting new people on board and could spark conversation, as I have always had lots to share or ask, or for the time spent on a long flight that would allow me to read my favourite books.

For all of the cuisine I've tasted, when restaurants were open, including Korean dumplings, which I liked too much and often found difficult to stop eating them.

For all the distances I've run, where I could count miles passing by and did not need to be cautious about others running from the opposite direction.

Try to look to the new future with gratitude

The lockdown period is a great opportunity for us all to learn some beautiful lessons. When we are all forced to slow down, we can learn the benefit of a slower pace. Living at a slower pace is an opportunity to develop a heart of gratitude for all we have, instead of focusing and complaining about what we still do not have. It is time to realize that all other things on earth are temporary and out of our control, like the current outbreaks or the possibility of a new, more dangerous virus to come.

Living in a nasty world that is controlled by a small group of a few powerful people is unpleasant, but we have the choice to make something nice out of each day. It is dramatic to see many people deteriorating from the lack of social contact and not necessarily the virus. All the well-meaning measures to control the spread of the virus have an extreme social side effect. Although it is not easy, we all have a choice. Our choice is something that can never be taken away from us. You can choose to follow the fear and media headlines every day or stay calm or guard and build your heart for gratitude, which is the source of everything.

Take care, everyone!