Of learning lessons and being aware

Priya Tandon

What could not be achieved by repeated orders/suggestions from spiritual gurus, governments, counsellors, courts and social workers has been achieved with a nature’s master stroke — Covid-19.

Did we not know deep down in our hearts that we were abusing the elements of nature? The ozone layer has been depleting. The glaciers have been melting. Global warming has been talked about for years now. But did we lend an ear? The fast pace of industrialisation; the spewing of effluents into the atmosphere; the alarming air quality index — everything has been staring us in the face, but we chose to turn a blind eye.

With one stroke, the Almighty has shown us who the real master is. Everyone is at home. Schools, colleges, offices and factories have come to a standstill. Why? Because life is valuable than riches, comforts and qualifications.

We are all back to the basics. I stepped out wearing a homemade mask one day to buy vegetables and fruits from a hawker who came to my doorstep. I put a spoonful of baking soda in a basin of water placed in backyard and let the veggies and fruits lie in there for an hour. Every day, I wash the milk packets outside with lawn water before I take them into my kitchen. Even packets of biscuits and pulses are being wiped with soapy water. We wash our hands and face before we enter the house if we step out for groceries. We leave our shoes outside. All this reminds me of my grandmother — she would insist on this kind of routine and all of us would grimace and think of it all as totally pointless.

Another thought strikes me — our elders would always tell us not to eat out unless necessary. Today, no one can go out to eat or even order in. We are cooking and cleaning and enjoying it too! Everyone is having home-cooked food. Isn’t that really healthy? We knew it always, but we didn’t bother. And now we have no choice but to fall in line. My daughter-in-law bakes delicious bread and buns at home. Several sweetmeats are being prepared at home too.

The lockdown is a time for all of us to introspect and ask ourselves if we really need the kind of lifestyle we have been getting used to. Our needs are a few. By and large, human beings are hoarders. It’s time we accept that God made enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed.

The gyms and clubs are closed. So, people have taken to yoga or freestyle exercises at home. Some are deeming household chores as exercise enough. Small children had been living an even busy life — hopping from schools to tuitions to hobby classes to birthday parties to pool parties and what not. Young mothers had no time to spend with their babies because they were at work. And now, suddenly kids and their mothers are spending quality time together. Nature is rejoicing. The birds are singing. The air is pure. The sky is blue again! Perhaps, God wanted that!

We have long been given a call to slow down, but were we too busy to pay heed? Now, everyone has time for offering prayers! Everyone has time for family, listening to music, contemplating upon life. It’s time we learn our lessons and after the situation get back to normal, may we never take for granted little things that make life worthwhile. May we create a new world full of love, compassion and gratitude.