New Year’s Eve was upon us, celebrations were in full swing, the world was ready to welcome a new decade. None of us had a clue about what's waiting ahead in 2020. Much has been spoken about the year, it has been a year that has changed each of our lives in a way or the other. The level of impact at varying levels, but there is no denying that most lives were turned upside down over the past 12 months. As we slowly move towards another New Year’s eve, there cannot be a better time to revisit the pages of 2020, and see if there is something that will prove useful for times ahead. The blog will also look at how to remain hopeful in times of uncertainty. The pandemic is slowly taking a down turn, a vaccine is not far away, so a reminder that extra precaution and safety remain important. Now, if you have gone through a rough year, difficult times, don't worry, for you aren’t alone, the world is a large community, we are in this together. Beginning the blog with a line I find extremely useful and beautiful, ‘ The night may be terribly dark and scary, but no darkness can prevent the dawn my friend’. Welcome to another blog from Tea Break With Life.
‘ The night may be terribly dark and scary, but no darkness can prevent the dawn my friend’.
Lessons that 2020 Taught us:
When the pandemic struck the world, daily lives as we knew it, turned upside down faster than one realized. Things we once took for granted seemed extra special, life started to feel different. Change is a process that has kept happening in each of our lives since the day we knew ourselves. Then what was different about 2020? To begin with, it was more visible and quick than any other periods of change. Secondly, a cloud of uncertainty covered the foreseeable future. Many had lost their work, future plans were on hold for some, and for others none of that happened, yet they were hit at a deeper level, a sense of anxiety and stress. Global studies show that a large section of people suffered from some sort of mental health issues. Now at the level of material changes, be it need for more social security or questions of public health have been kept outside the limits for this blog post. I wish to address a more individual level reaction and lessons from 2020. The questions of policy can be the subject of a discussion at a different time. Since this year has taught several lessons, I am restricting myself to three which according to me have the most importance.
-> Being Compassionate And Empathy:
Many went through situations in 2020 that brought out reactions which otherwise would not have come from them. Difficult situations change the way many of us behave. This is a great lesson on why it is important to have compassion and empathy, while dealing with people. Since 2020 was a collective experience, we realize it together. What if, in a different year, someone else is going through something difficult? Always try to be compassionate and empathetic to others before jumping to judgements.
Just as you try to be compassionate with others, be compassionate with yourself too. Try not blame yourself too much or be too hard on yourself. Life shall have many twists and turns, always give your best, act according to your conscience and let it be. Find a royal middle path between extreme irresponsibility and severe stress, and it is in that middle path success probably awaits many of us.
-> The Value of Human Relations:
I have many times in the past written on the question of what is important in life. This year is a shining example for realizing that simple truth, that beyond all your material possessions, human relations have value in our lives. It is in times of difficulty that human beings realize the importance of their friends and family. Many times in quests for success and advancements, these little relations are ignored. I can guarantee how most of you had one friend or family member who helped you get through these challenging times. It is important to chase our dreams, ambitions, but it is absolutely essential to carry these relations along in the journey. Why? Because every journey has those difficult moments, it will be these people who will make sure that the journey goes on. There are people who raise the genuine question about the possibility of maintaining friendships in a fast moving world, and the simple answer is that if you really want it, it is absolutely possible. It is easier than you think to call someone once in a while, to be there for someone and there is a bonus too, it feels good!
In a way 2020 also brings out how technology can be useful when used along with human relations, but no technology is a replacement for real human relations.
-> Saying Thank You:
What is the best prayer in the world? It is 'Thank You'. This year showed us, how suddenly everything can change. This is not a new finding, as mortal beings, anything can happen at any time. But we don't realize it, do we?
We take time for granted, conversations for granted and experiences for granted. Life transforms with a simple idea, ‘gratitude’. Be grateful for the beautiful experiences, for the amazing friends, and everything. With gratitude, you start to enjoy moments more than before. This is not rocket science actually, it is what we were as small kids. Each day felt like an adventure. Over time, we started to take it all for granted, and 2020 just showcased how it all can be taken away just like that. Being more present and grateful during moments makes you happy and the ones around you even happier!! May each conversation, moment and experience be touched by a sense of ‘childlike curiosity’.
Let us all be thankful to the ones who make our lives beautiful.
2020 teaches a lot of lessons for society in general too. The need for nature conservation, a more sustainable way of life, migrant labourer issues etc. But as mentioned at the beginning, those issues are not being looked into since this blog deals with a more individual perspective.
Hope Amidst Uncertainty:
Now as I slowly move to the conclusion of the blog, it is time to address an interesting question. How do we remain hopeful if there is so much uncertainty? To be very honest, there is no definitive answer. Hope is something that does not always go by logic. Some find hope from a belief in God or something beyond, while for others it comes from a belief in a value or a goal, and for some it is just their inherent nature.
My answer to this question would be an extension of all the lessons listed above. Hope is a positive perspective which is a kind of shared optimism. What gave us hope when we were small kids? When things seemed extremely scary and frightening? Most common answer would be that you got it from your parents. Right? You trusted them when they said it would be fine. Hope can be found through compassion, human relations, empathy and gratitude.
Telling people that it will be fine, giving them hope and also the point that whatever happens they aren’t alone is extremely essential. In a way, become a reason for lighting up hope in others.
Try to be a light for someone and maybe it will light up your room too.
You may have noticed something along the way, each one of the lessons were preceded with ‘Trying to’, did you wonder why? Because it is all about trying, as imperfect beings, we will have shortfalls. That is not a problem, it is not the destination but the journey for which we are here.
May 2021 prove to be a beautiful year for all of you, wishing you a Christmas season filled with lots of love and positivity.
Thank You For Reading and do send in a feedback.
Lots of Love.
Sreesreshta Nair (SN)
The Revolution of Love Shall Win!
All Pictures credit @ Pexels.com
Very insightful!! A great read
ReplyDeleteAmazing read ✨✨
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