MY PANDEMIC LEARNINGS
14th December 2020There I was, happily skiing ( after 30 years ) , when I heard the ski instructor say that he is not going to take any Italians skiing as the corona virus had hit Italy blah blah. I was a bit annoyed with him, I must admit.
But that evening the talks had started as a lot of events had started getting cancelled.
The next day we had to take a flight to Malta and honestly, there was a sense of eeriness in Zurich airport. Every flight to and from Italy was cancelled .. we luckily got on flight ( with one person wearing a mask ) and left.
On arrival all our temperatures were checked .. we were luckily fine and got home.
BOOM … This was 1st March 2020 and we decided to quarantine ourselves for a few days, not realising it would be 4.5 months.
And a very Interesting four and a half months in Malta it was. Locked up in an apartment, just my Husband and Me. We went out once a week for a short walk.
1st week we tried to stock up on all the rice,dals. pasta, beans, frozen foods we could.
2nd week I decided to start my chanting sessions online. Yes, it’s been nine months.
3rd week we realised we could not step out so bought ourselves the only exercise cycle we could find so we got a bit of exercise in.
4th week we turned Vegan
I was trying to make sure that Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually I was in a good space.
The one thing that helped me tremendously were my Chanting session which I was doing everyday when I started… now its 3 times a week.
This got us into a routine – living, laughing, laundry, cleaning, cooking, chanting, meditating and Netflix ( ha ha ) of course.
What I began to understand during this was that there is definitely a lesson for Humanity in this. We were abusing Mother Earth, Nature, all our natural resources and so much more.
But each one of us has a personal lesson here too. And each of our lessons was ours alone.
So what did I learn?
I learnt to Live everyday ..to laugh, to love, to dance, to whirl, to sing and be and do what I wanted to… not wait for tomorrow to do it.
I learnt how precious so many friendships and relationships are.
I leant how little we really need to be truly happy.
I learnt that we can make life difficult or easy with how and what we think.
I also learnt how I love spending time with Myself.
I converted a room into my little haven.
I would meditate here, host my chanting sessions, do my workshops and just loved my Me time here.
I learnt to appreciate all that I had, who I was, where I was.
Through my chanting sessions I created beautiful new bonds and friendships… which I still have today.
I learnt that sharing a smile can change a persons entire day so imagine if we could share more than a smile?
So I thought here I am sharing what little I could This was a time I really thought of all those people who needed me more than I needed them. May sound weird but ..There’s a little parlour next to my home in Bangalore and these people do not get a salary but survive on a day to day basis. My home staff .. the gardener, the construction workers across my home. These were the people really scared and suffering. I did all I could from there to help them. This made me realise even more how much I have to be grateful for.
4.5 months later, we decided to go to see our Children in London. We sat in the car ( with our masks ) and my husband and I looked at each other as it was so strange sitting in a car after such a long time… not that we were sitting in a car with masks!
The journey was surreal as we were 12 people on the whole flight!! Everything was empty and eerie!
Sitting with a mask on flight, in the car, in a train … Finally I did get used to it .. Am used to it now but it did take a while I must admit.
Seeing the children and having with conversation with them face to face was Amazing. My husband and I had spent 4.5 months only talking to each other .. and maybe the grocery store owner!
A week later we met some friends in the Park .. that was delightful. Earlier we would have met at a restaurant or cafe. But a picnic in the park was the new and more fun way forward.
Why did we not do more of that earlier? Sitting in the park, listening to music, lovely sunset and a beautiful walk. So while we were there and weather permit we tried time in the park as much as possible.
Things had changed – Things have changed -Things will continue to change.
This is Life .. the only constant is change.
So why fight it?
I want to wake up and Be Grateful that I am are here today.
I want to live for today and not wait to do what I want to do or say for another day.
I want to share my smile and cheer everyone in any way I can.
I want to laugh and play and sing and dance.
Yes, I do want to be safe too.
But I can live, love, share, experience and do everything safely too.
And that is another story, 🙂
So till then ..
Sending you a virtual hug
Stay safe and Stay smiling. 🙂