THE LIGHT WITHIN US…NOT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

THE LIGHT WITHIN US…NOT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

This thing called the virus or more famously called the Covid-19 may have steered in panic even so, surprisingly there’s calm within all of us- emotionally and spiritually. We’re unsure of supplies or cash or what lies in the morrow…yet; the peace we feel is unmeasured. I’m sure we haven’t felt this quiet, relaxed and peaceful in a long time. In spite of not knowing how we’ll bounce back the smiles within are warm.

I’m sure we’ve used this time to engage or re-engage with people we’ve lost connect with, picked up a hobby, learnt a new skill, upgraded ourselves, got better at what we already know and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for? You still have the time, so get going NOW!

I had a lot of plans in the first week of the lockdown just like the ones I’ve mentioned above, reading and learning being on the top of the list, however a fresh outpour of work has kept me on my toes. Work has always been our primary focus in recent times, so this time around I worked on my curiosity and never-ending quest to LEARN, for one, I’ve upgraded one of weakest skills and the one I prefer to shy away from- creating dynamic PowerPoint Presentations and realized it is indeed interesting though time consuming, another 2 certificates up my sleeve, and a few random thoughts that will materialize by the end of this quarter.

Spending a lot of fun time with the family, walks and spot jumping at home, board games, foosball, spring cleaning and oops.. following the world—cooking, not home chef yet, however trying my hand at dishing out delicacies (sometimes) and experiments that are forced down the kind throats (most times ;))

Family time in the evening is a board game of Ludo most days and just like the game, we’re safe only when home.

While scribbling, a fleeting thought of the poem ‘Leisure’ just crossed my mind. And I realize that ‘Life’ has finally given us the time to breathe a bit and stare- stare into a scary, brutal present, the economic meltdown; stare into a transitional future where our planet is undergoing it’s much needed healing.

I hope we can truly heal as well, and be able to slow down a bit so that we never have to stop in this way. While we heal, I hope we can renew ourselves of the physical, mental and emotional hurt and pain and come out triumphant. I hope we’ve renewed old ties, learnt and upgraded in some form.

For now, STAY HOME! STAY SAFE!

Easter- Resurrection Sunday

Easter- Resurrection Sunday

I asked a colleague (read sunshine) to pen down a few words for our Easter greetings to the world, after she did so and got my approval, the other colleague (read morning glory) who enjoys seeing me under heaps of work, asked me to add to it and create a blog. ‘Just saying good, isn’t enough, we’d love to see you add your royal touch (read wise crack, better still ‘tadka’) in it.

At first I wondered, Easter blog… I’ve always only wished people with a few words/lines. However, I realised that this Easter deserved a whole blog post of its own, so here I go….

In our life today, filled with daily video chats, online presentations, deadlines etc. - we’ve all forgotten to acknowledge that Easter is hopping this way!

Easter season is about love and joy in abundance as is the efforts put in it to make it memorable. The Holy week that takes repentance to the next level leading into the last 4 days of religious rites. The traditional festive fervour in the neighborhood is heightened by the delicate aroma of some of the tastiest dishes. The zeal is infectious as families gather to decide the tentative Easter lunch, the upholstery and décor and all that goes into the Easter basket.

This year, though Holy week started on the same note, the weekend didn’t feel the same. Just as we got spiritually ready for the Easter service, we got to know that we lost a loved one to the pandemic.

This year, Easter is different. Virtual masses, spiritual Eucharist, telephonic wishes. We’re just maintaining safe distance so that our loved ones are safe, so that our city, country and the world is safe.

All those who are celebrating the festival and those that are not, it is a blessing to be sharing a wholesome meal with your family, to be with your loved ones, to be safe and nestled in the comforts of your homes for there are thousands who aren’t that fortunate!

As we celebrate Easter 2020, we see the world united for the first time at least in the last 4 decades of my life. We stand united in fear of an unknown tomorrow, not knowing if our world will withstand the devastating impact of COVID-19 yet with the hope of resurrecting from its devouring fangs.

Let’s all just pause and reflect back upon Jesus’ sacrifices and honor his resurrection from the graves as we all, irrespective of our caste, creed, religion- must hold hands and recognise this phenomena together and fill up our Easter baskets with eggs of joy, satisfaction, selflessness and most importantly, love.  

Let’s finally pray for our leaders rise to this challenge and share responsibility among each other while promoting unity, for the many who are grieving the loss of their loved ones, for the multitude fighting the virus and for the larger number to be enlightened and work with the government to fight the pandemic so that we all cross this tunnel of darkness together into the light of hope and a brighter tomorrow.

Let’s all begin to recognise our lovely and positive life, starting today; and live it even more beautifully because ‘Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of life.’