The COVID-19 situation is getting more and more worrying. People all over are a little worried to say the least and there seems to be some panic as far as the medical supplies to combat the rising cases is concerned. As a result, lockdown like restrictions have been enforced all across the country. That sense of uncertainty reminiscent of this time last year is back. Of course, there is a lot to be hopeful about this year as compared to 2020 owing to the vaccines available to combat this virus. As for me, I consider myself very privileged to be in the armed forces and in a kind of bio bubble if you will, staying in a cantonment wherever I am. Even here in Chennai, I’m lucky to be in a military station and have the liberty to at least do the simple things like go for a walk or run and move around a bit. For me this pandemic has made me just focus on the little things that we tend to ignore. Like taking a walk, going for a run, reading, watching a movie, or even catching up with friends and family. And I think for those living the city life this pandemic can be a real boon in terms of re-evaluating what’s important in their lives going forward. Because as hard as times are right now, I feel that sooner rather than later, the pandemic will end, and if we haven’t learnt anything in these last two years then we haven’t grown and have just wasted this time we have been given. So, what can people in the cities do to make this lockdown worthwhile?
How about we first look at how life typically was for most working folk before the pandemic? So most city folk would work 10-12 hours a day from Monday to Friday and then have the weekend off. The younger and single crowd would flock to pubs and discotheques and drink the night away. Others who were in a committed relationship or newly married would do something more intimate like a romantic dinner, or catch a movie or even Netflix and chill. Then there are the more seasoned married couples with kids who would plan their weekends to spend time with their kids, like a picnic or a weekend getaway. Some couples would also leave the kids with the grand parents and go away for the weekend to rekindle some romance and take a much-needed break from the sometimes impossible job of parenting. Because I can imagine that people can sometimes lose themselves in the roles they play, especially in a marriage and with kids. Of course, even single folk would go away for the weekend may be to a relaxing beach or a trek or even a vineyard. All that’s not possible for the moment. So what can we do? Well how about instead of dining out we cook for our spouses and have a romantic dinner at home? And for the singles too, this could be an opportunity to learn how to cook and enjoy a nice meal while binging on some Netflix. Couples can take dance lessons together at home watching you tube videos. There’s nothing like dancing to create intimacy! For those who want something less intimate you could take up reading, may be start blogging or may be any hobby that you always wanted to but never had the time. For those who have kids I can imagine what a challenge it is keeping kids locked up at home, though I would imagine with today’s mobile obsessed kids, it shouldn’t be that hard. When I was growing up, I spent most of my time outside playing cricket or some other sport. I only came home for lunch and dinner and then crashed out of fatigue! Kids today have other interests. But even for them, sitting at home all day everyday is tough. So may be parents and kids can do some activities at home together. Boardgames can be fun too! I remember playing carrom, chess, cards or monopoly with family as a kid. We would start after lunch on Sundays and before we knew it, it was almost dinner time! There were other times where me and my brother would be engrossed in either our Lego sets or Mechano sets, oblivious to everything.
There are many such things we can do. And while we do these things, we should remember that by doing these things we are not just passing our time but more importantly, re-inventing and re-booting ourselves. The aim is to also try and become more self aware because awareness brings change, and as far as how we treat this planet is concerned, we definitely need to change our attitude to minimize more such pandemics in future. Because as history has shown us, eventually nature will wipe out any species that is more harmful than useful for the planet. I know a lot of us think we are God’s own but guess what, nature doesn’t give a rat’s ass! So, if we are honest with ourselves, despite the good we have done for human civilization and ourselves, we haven’t done anything useful for the planet…. Have we?
destiny's child 