What This Pandemic Has Taught Me
Almost nine months after being declared a global health emergency, the coronavirus still shows no signs of slowing down. A microscopic molecule single-handedly put the world that we knew on hold and created a new- almost dystopian- reality, where the population must wear a mask covering, physical interaction is strongly discouraged, and paranoia runs rampant. Over 1 million people have died as a result and a vaccine is beyond sight. The truth is that much of the disease still eludes us.
Amidst such baffling and uncertain times, it is easy to feel hopeless. However, if there is anything that I am sure of, it’s that our mental attitudes directly dictate how we feel and act.
I’ve always considered myself a “glass half full” type of guy, so I reflected on how this pandemic can be used in my favor for my own growth. It’s easy to find the negative aspects of anything and everything (as can be evidenced from the opening paragraph) but not enough people choose to look at the silver linings. After reading this, I strongly encourage you to reflect for yourself on how you can emerge as an improved person either during or after these times. You can apply this same line of thinking to any adverse situations that you may face, and you will become all the more better for it.
Photo by Levent Simsek of Pexels
Patience is something that must be cultivated for a more peaceful life.
When all of my favorite hangout spots were shut down for months, I felt what I can only describe as a “doomful” feeling; what will it be like to not go to my favorite place to eat, or not go to the bookstore and peruse the literature there? I had to face the reality that the waiting game had to be played, so I figured it made more sense for my own mental wellbeing to make friends with patience instead of living miserably with it. By simply being ok with waiting, it made dealing with staying put much easier, and it even extended to how I interact with others.
Things that we don’t want to happen will happen anyway, and they won’t ask for your permission.
Most of us have an idyllic hope that the world will always go in our favor if we just do everything right. If we work hard then we’ll get that promotion that we’ve striving towards, or if we play our cards correctly then the person that we’ve been crushing on will finally notice us and maybe even reciprocate the feeling. The truth is, while it is perfectly admirable to always put your best effort forward and act on your best behavior, things don’t always go our way. A co-worker might be seen as the better fit for the job, or you’re just not the ideal partner for that person despite how hard you try. We’ve all experienced something like this and it subsides relatively quickly. On a large scale, however, this enduring pandemic has shown that things will just naturally take their course, even if it does not align with your vision at all.
Everything is interconnected.
Who would’ve thought that a disease from a small marketplace in China would have the potential to affect so much? Globally, jobs have been lost, families have changed, economies have tanked, and societies find themselves divided and distanced. In a world of nearly 8 billion people, it is easy to feel like none of your actions will ever be significantly impactful. But remember: this entire pandemic stemmed from just a handful of people. Now more than ever, the ramifications are our actions are evident. Our very health lies at the mercy of our community and vice versa. If this microscopic virus serves as a reminder of the responsibility that we possess in our interactions with others, why not translate that to intangible transmissions, such as compassion?
Life must be appreciated while it lasts.
In hindsight, it’s easy to see how much of our lives we took for granted pre-pandemic: we could gather with family and friends whenever we wanted, we could go to concerts or sporting events, and we could generally live without paranoia in the back of our minds. Even though society is slowly starting to open back up, there is still a long way to go before it feels remotely normal. Many people are still unable to see their loved ones, especially those at risk. Seeing the world was put on hold for many, as their travel plans had to get canceled. The takeaway here is that it is imperative to treasure the enjoyable moments in life always, for it is susceptible to disappear in an instant.
Change can arise from adverse challenges.
The quarantine period of the pandemic resulted in profound changes for many: some people left abusive relationships, others took up new hobbies that they had never foreseen, and some even took the risk to open new businesses. Personally, I decided to start this newsletter as a means to grow my own Self while sharing the process with others.
In Buddhism, the lotus flower possesses special significance due to its unique nature of blooming from the mud. Many cultures revere it since it mirrors the human condition in that difficult circumstances (the mud) tend to give way to immense growth (the lotus).
Additional Resources
Episodes 40 and 45 of the Everyday Buddhism podcast deals with how to approach the current state of the world and the ongoing pandemic with a sense of clarity. (This podcast has been one of my go-to’s this year.)
The Buddhist Take on COVID-19 by Buddhist Solutions for Life’s Problems is another episode that I recommend, and the one that inspired me to write this publication.
A guide by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America on how to take care of stress, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts during these scary and uncertain times.
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