‘Relax’,they say never tell this to someone in stress. It’s a paradox.When someone isgetting stressed out, one of least effective (and perhaps most annoying) thingsto say is ‘relax’. But I have always done that in my life, because I havealways believed that a bad outcome is less likely. Catastrophizing anythingjust isn’t my way thinking.
As much as Ibelieve that present COVAD crisis is “God-given”, I believe we are not biddento suffer or meekly submit to it. Rather we must follow Almighty’s command toconfront this disaster and use all our tools and wisdom to defeat it. Corona,thus presents an extraordinary challenge to each one of us.
Stationed aHajin, Sumbal, a highly infected area, I have seen doctors and governmentofficials, inspite of being highly exposed to the risk, working round theclock, government machinery is proactive, extreme measures like a lockdown of adifferent kind, isolation of potential carriers, businesses suffering fatallosses and an average person altering some of its natural habits of socialization.And yet, I believe more than ever, it is time for all of us to create momentsof happiness by making these small sacrifices.
Peoplerespond differently to this calamity. Some are crazy after face masks andsanitisers, some are stocking groceries, some are disappointed for they won’tgo to Delhi or London this season, and there are others who haven’t heardanything about this virus. Good or bad, this is not much surprising. But thismajor disruption in our routine life has given us the time not only tophysically rest but also time to mentally reflect. It’s a chance to revisit ourvalues, our choices and our divisions; an opportunity to spend a lot more timewith family and children, a break to catch up on reading, a gap to practicegardening and an opening to love yourself. Above all, it’s a great opportunityto help the needy around you. Yes, it’s also time to override tribalsub-divisions for our own good.
For thosewho are out on social media demonising a particular religion, sect or stigmatisingthe patients and their families – this tiny creature doesn’t not make any moraljudgement. It did not differentiate between world leaders and an ordinarytraveller for faith. It did not spare any country, any religion, any ideology,any class or any sect.
The virusdoesn’t care about our arrogance either. We all are the potential hosts of thisvirus.
Relax. Thispandemic will be over and the virus will not wipe us out. Death is certain, whyfear? Life is uncertain, let’s celebrate it. You live your life the best whenyou look death in the face.
“Just whenthings seem secure, the unknown can loom, unexpectedly and large. Conversely,just when everything seems lost, new order can emerge from catastrophe andchaos”; How brilliantly put by, JordanB. Peterson
SyedShahnawaz Bukhari is a civil servant.