Rising from the ashes of 2020 like a phoenix
New year 2020 looked bright and but the euphoria started evaporating sooner than one could expect. Catastrophe Of Varied Implications and Dimensions (COVID) struck the world had already reached our doorsteps. Even the New Year parties and the customary winter picnics were still on when the first warnings came out. The mood gradually changed to panic and despair in the following months. For many of us, the situation activated our survival instincts and improvisation abilities to cope up with the menace.
In the words of William Hazlitt, “Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.” This proved more so in my case.
I had been an ardent follower of the principle “simple living and high thinking” at least the first part, since that’s only what I can afford, at the same time trying some high thinking though without much success so far. The pandemic made me live and think practically fully accepting the situation. The very fact that I was confined to home for most of the year gave me time to introspect. The challenges thrown by the hard times also prodded me to explore new avenues and device appropriate survival strategies. Thawing one hand to keep afloat, holding my guts with the other.
The most important takeaway has been personal hygiene and cleanliness. Health conscious, no outside food (for reasons of economy though). Honing the skills that were not brushed up so far also happened during this time. It was a sabbatical of sorts, time for learning and unlearning and course correction. The uncertainty and risks looming large started looking like some diversions and speed breakers which were negotiable. As for many, I have undergone a process of evolution to come out better organised, equipped and ready to take on life as it comes. Life will not be the same but mankind in general has become wiser. The beginning of the end of Corona is in sight with the vaccine arriving.
I remember the words of Tagore, sums up my experience and predicament :
If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.
