Corona, not the beer

22nd March 2020

We are undergoing strange times during this corona virus outbreak. We are holding you in our thoughts during this difficult and uncertain period. Apart from the chaos this virus has created, it has also caused mass panic and fear. It has affected how we live, how we think and how we behave.

The virus is here and the situation is real. There is not much we can do about it. Life gives no one immunity against adversity but life gives to everyone the power of positive thought, which is sufficient to master all circumstances of adversity and convert them into benefits. How can we remain positive in these trying times? I would like to share with you a way that has allowed me to face such moments. The secret is gratitude. The Attitude of Gratitude is paramount.
Gratitude is feeling thankful. The habit of gratitude can greatly help the feelings of inner peace and improve self-awareness.

It connects us to the present moment, uplifts our spirit and feeds our heart. It is also the antidote to fear. You simply cannot feel gratitude and fear at the same time. It doesn’t mean settling for less or not making every effort to take safety precautions. Quite the opposite. It is appreciating, loving what we have while dreaming of the future when we will be safe again.

Life throws us curve balls from time to time. Some small, some large. We may not be able to choose what situations may bring but we can certainly choose how we think. No matter what or how we think, the external world remains unaffected. However, our internal world is ours to decide.

If we have forgotten to be thankful to our lives, our family, those that surround us, our achievements, our failures and our unpursued dreams, now is the time to rectify that. Tell them, tell ourselves, write them a letter, proclaim it and announce it. We may be fearful and stressed, only if we allow it. We may lose loved ones, we may fall sick, businesses may fail and what we took for granted may be taken away from us. Let’s take stock the things that we actually have now and be immensely grateful for them.

Our lives will be changed, directly or indirectly, there is no doubt about that. Only last weekend, I was in a usually busy like mad Japanese restaurant in Totnes and today, it has closed. Small businesses like Amity that rely on daily footfall and turnover are affected greatly. It is certain that many businesses will fail and shut down because of this, just like in Singapore where hundreds of restaurants have closed since January. Hold your ground, don’t despair.

Social distancing is healthy. Emotional distancing is not. Be mindful, be kind. Mary, my 80 year old friend was doing her shopping last week and she received plenty of comments from strangers about her being out and how she should have stayed at home. It is hard to think that her life is dictated by her age. She can’t stay at home indefinitely. Hold your ground, be kind.

Remember that there are still many things in the world that deserve our concern, our energy and our time. The virus has done enough damage by taking many lives around the world already. Let’s not give it permission to cause more harm in our internal world, our mind.

Personally, I am and will remain grateful for you, your time for reading this, life, my family, Amity and so many other things impossible to list! I will also remain positive and cheerful. Corona can take lives but it can’t take away my sense of humour! Without it, what’s the point of life?

Keep the faith. Be grateful. Take care of yourself and take care of those around you. Balance living like there is no tomorrow with behaving like you’ll live forever.

Wishing you all the best in health, heart, mind and soul. Be safe.

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