The novel corona virus, is the deadliest virus humanity has ever seen in the past decades, and has caused a havoc all over the world. With over 6 million cases worldwide and over 350 thousand deaths, this Virus has caused a lot of distress and anxiety in the minds of each and every one alive. Since prevention is better than cure, the only way to avoid this disease in absence of the vaccine is social distancing, Majority of countries all over the world have chosen the lockdown to prevent the widespread of this deadly disease.
Suffering from boredom and being away from the society in general, restrictive movement, and unable to go to work in-order to earn money has made people think that this virus is a curse from GOD, but is it !?
People with such an attitude fail to realize that humans are not the only living being on this planet; there are plants, animals, insects and birds that too are citizens of earth and have benefited tremendously due to this lockdown in the midst of this pandemic. The industrial lockdown has caused less sound, water and air pollution, making the air cleaner to breathe all over the world for all living beings, the rivers which were so dirty and which seemed impossible to clean in India even after a lot of manmade efforts, now have cleaned itself naturally. Moreover the Ozone layer which was depleting has showed us its capacity to heal on itself due to lack of pollution. The earth is healing ! Turns out that time is indeed the best healer (even without intervention of man).
The people who are not infected and safe in their homes have benefited too from this virus caused lockdown, every one is become more health conscious eating the right foods to build their immunity to fight COVID 19, which inturn is benefitting their overall health. They have been able to spent more time with family, they have found ample of time to do the things they love doing, as man prays more deeply and meditates longer his spiritual life has improved too. He has become more compassionate, we see many people donating food and money to the poor everywhere all over the world. Bollywood actor Sonu Sood is seen arranging transport for migrant labourers instead of just donating money for people who want to move to their homes but are unable to do so due to their current financial circumstances. Many other Bollywood stars have donated spaces in their hotels to convert as quarantine centers to ease the load on public hospitals.
New business have originated, making masks and COVID-19 testing devices, cost effective beds and personal protective equipment are few examples.
We would argue that man cannot live on love and fresh air! Human beings are most effected as millions of people have lost their jobs and their source of livelihoods. People have lost their near and dear one as the virus has taken away their lives. Scientist are working very hard to find the cure and the vaccine as time progresses, but as they are unable to find the vaccine/cure yet the economy continues to fall. For the ones who are dead it is unfortunate and no one can ever compensate for the loss of life, but death is our final destination and the Ultimate truth of life, no one can escape this life alive. Nevertheless, we can still treat this pandemic an opportunity, Napoleon Hill in his book Think and grow rich says ' every negative event comes with a seed of an equal and opposite equivalent'. How many of us fall in the trap of wage slavery, and sell our integrity and creativity just for a paycheck??? Would the seed of the equal and opposite equivalent be the possibility of having/starting your own business? Would it be a lesson to manage our money wisely and save it for the rainy days? Would it be the virtues of self-reliance and future mindedness which this virus has forced us to adopt? Would it be to live a healthy Lifestyle and development of our immunity to diseases ?
If we think that COVID is a curse just because of economic slowdown, than is money the only thing? Health, connection, relationships, compassion, innovation and Self-reliance are meaningless?
The only way to fight this virus is awareness and faith. Awareness about not contacting things or people potentially exposed to the virus, keeping a sanitizer with you at all times, and faith that after all is said and done we will come out stronger.
Even though this virus has been unforgiving and merciless in nature, we must have faith that we will rise above all this, we must have faith that we are born with best survival abilities and have all the power we need. The basis of Christianity is faith and only faith can save us now.
As Indian industrialist Mr. Tata said something along these lines 'this year don't focus on material success, if you are alive that in itself is success'
There is a monologue of hope from the movie waking life and I would like to share it with you.
'Resistance is not futile, we're gonna win this thing, humankind is too good, we're not a bunch of under achievers, we gonna stand up and be human beings and get fired up about the real things; the things that that matter: creativity and the dynamic human spirit that refuses to submit.
Finally this is an opportunity to be more conscious about our deaths, as death awareness can make you more conscious and humble. Complete the following every day as death could be knocking on your door:
If I was more aware of my death I would___________