Lessons from Corona panademic

CORONA  WAKE UP CALL

It was mid-February, I was sitting at home sipping green tea and fantasizing about my upcoming vacations to Thailand. Everything was in place, all the boxes were carefully checked. See my audacity, I believed corona was some kind of joke, being played by China to create paranoia.

I blocked all the luxury resorts, shows, entertainment parks, and restaurants because I wanted everything perfect without glitches. But, destiny had other plans and Corona spread like a wildfire swallowing everything that enters in its way.

The nations started implementing travel restrictions, visas on arrival were promptly canceled and chaos engulfed the tourism and aviation industry. I was totally stunned, unable to comprehend what exactly happened? I was in an intense denial and had hope in heart everything would be fine by the time of our imminent departure.

But nothing ever went back to normal, the chaos deepened from there, making us realize how vulnerable we are in front of nature and even the best-laid plans go waste if destiny is not with us.

Today, when I look back I find Corona has taught me a lot, every individual might have their own learning but few of the key takeaways from this medical crisis were:

a)Plan with an open mind

Generally when we plan things we make it watertight, leaving no loopholes. It is consistently said a well-laid plan ensures victory in the battlefield, but again, while making plans don’t forget we are mortals, and most of the time wind does not blow as per our conscious will. I would suggest leave room for changes, surprises which life might throw on us. Believe in me a changed plan is better than a broken heart.

b)Stop procrastinating

Accept the importance of time and understand it is a limited commodity, life is not forever. Make a list of things to do and start working out ways to ticking them off one by one. One of my doctor friends told me, he admitted a 23-year -old in the morning with COVID symptoms by evening the boy passed away. All the dreams left behind, all the hopes vanished. It shook me from inside and woke me up from my deep slumber. Nothing is permanent here, do things you really want to do.

c)Stop running after wrong things

When you are rolling it is easy to aim for the sky, that big car, house, elite club membership, the finest collection of liquor, vacations at exotic locations all sounds wonderful. But have we ever thought how much we put your life on hold to achieve these? The second and most important question is it worth it? I believe we need to try for all those bigger things in life but at the same time take smaller steps. If you can’t do trekking in the Alps, why not the Himalayas near home? We have replacements for everything, we need to open our eyes and see wisely.

d)Saying thank you and sorry a lot

I have seen many people who will point out at your vices at a drop of hat? But if we ask them to highlight a few good points they are often at a loss of words. My point is we don’t need any more critics and haters, please show appreciation, please apologize for the wrongdoing, you might not get a chance again.

e) Nothing Lasts Forever

This too shall pass is going to be my biggest takeaway. Our lives might go on hold for a while, plans might change, the business might get affected, accounts might not get credited, but then this too shall pass. Life will go back to the crazy pace, and you will miss these lost moments. So let’s raise a toast to the present.