The year 2020 is on its way out. When we look back, the whole year seems to be a blur at times, and at other times, each and every moment excruciatingly vivid. Never had we imagined that a virus would impact our life in such a way that we have almost forgotten what ‘The Old Normal’ was before COVID-19, with ‘The New Normal’ being splashed everywhere in almost every sphere of life, be it Home, Work, School, College, Offices, Travel, Fashion, everywhere.
It was March, and everybody was working round the clock to meet the targets. And in that scenario, entered this deadly virus and threw our lives out of gear. The deadlines were same, but the pressure had increased as the SOPs were different. The stress started to show. It was further aggravated when COVID affected cases started to show up with our near and dear ones, office colleagues, friends – near as well as far. Worse, the fatalities began. Anxiety started seeping into our bodies, physically as well as mentally, while we tried to cover it all up in front of our family and friends by showing a brave face.
Days passed into months and there seemed to be no respite. We all started to learn to live with it now. Deep within, I thanked God that at least I had some work, things to do which kept my mind away from all the stress and anxiety. And with all the work, came additional responsibilities. With the grim situations owing to COVID, people were losing their jobs, savings drying up, daily wage earners being hit the most. So we were out on the streets, in villages, colonies, railway stations, hospitals, distributing food packets, dry rations, masks, PPE Kits, anything with which the less privileged and the front line workers could be helped. We had now become a part of the ‘Corona Warriors’ family who were leading from the front, risking our lives, and working day in and day out to meet the energy requirements of the country. And we were also doing our small bit for the people who were not as lucky as we were.
And lucky we are. This is the time to actually count our blessings. That we have steady jobs, money, shelter, food, clothes and medicine. The basic things needed to survive, which millions of people don’t have in our country. Or they lost during the Pandemic. The great divide that exists in our country has never been as wide and clear as it is now. People who had lost their jobs or earnings had now turned to selling vegetables on the road, with the hope to bring at least one square meal for the family.
It’s time to appreciate the things that we have. And hope to never undo the learnings we have learnt during these times. How necessity can become the cause of amazing inventions! How the simple things matter. How less is more. How precious freedom is. Why we need to support and help each other in times of crisis like this, develop compassion, to practice gratitude, to slow down.
The current crisis is also a wakeup call for many of us for understanding the true value of life. Our life goals may change by the time the pandemic ends. We now know that time is precious. For some, it may be the adrenaline rush which comes out of chasing the targets, while for some of us, slowing down could help us fight off mental and physical health conditions, appreciate the people in our lives, be more grateful, enabling us to lead a more fulfilling life. To each his own. But may we never forget the lessons that we have learnt during this Pandemic. To come together again, as and when the need arises. To show equal resilience to face whatever challenges that life will throw on us in future. Cheers to our hope, endurance, perseverance and resolution.
And cheers to the coming New Year 2021 !!
The writer is working as Chief Manager(HR) in the Public Sector Company, Coal India Ltd. In Ranchi.