Wedded to simple ways of living

Chandigarh has had some unexpected guests of late, leisurely walking on the roads. Pollution levels are at an all-time low, Mother Earth seems to be rejuvenating herself. The Covid-19 lockdown has given people a glimpse of what the world might look like if we just respect our planet a bit more. But can we expect a transformation in the future, or is this all only a temporary mirage?

The lockdown days have taught us to be grateful not just for possessions, but for the people around us, the simple pleasures of life, our mere existence. It has given people a chance to invest time and energy in things that are good for the soul. There’s a sense of shared vulnerability and it has made us connect to each other in a more fundamental and humane manner.

Does it really matter now if we have the latest gadgets or that designer bag? Can we expect a relook at the habit of spending all our time yearning for possessions, not realising the futility of the chase? The lockdown has made us circumspect that happiness is truly within us and the only thing we can control is our own attitude and reactions. It’s the sense of entitlement and privilege that fills our normal lives with materialistic goals, competitiveness and stress. We end up indulging in wasteful expenditure that gives us fleeting pleasure. All that matters today is pure, plain survival; it’s time to say goodbye to overindulgence and artificiality in life.

I was meant to be a bride in May. Driven by the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations, our lives came to a sudden stop. It was disheartening, I won’t deny it, but then the safety and well-being of families and friends should always come first. During this time, I realised and appreciated the importance of having two wonderful sets of families that I can call my own. Never has there been a day when our parents, brothers and sisters have not provided us their undeterred support.

It has helped us realise that we are privileged to feel safe in this crisis. But not everyone is that fortunate. God indeed created us as equals but societal rules have divided us. Now is the time to be united, to help wholeheartedly those in need and believe in oneness and humanity. As for the wedding, we have decided to go the simple way. We are changing the way we celebrate our special moments and learning to give importance to society over self. We are beginning a new life with new rules and hoping that we make this world a little better, in sickness and in health, with a humble vow: ‘This heart of yours, may it be mine. This heart of mine, may it be yours.’