“Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant !”
– Paulo Coelho
The life altering COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the entire world in an unprecedented manner. It has been an eye opener to many, especially me. It has been aptly said that it took a microscopic virus to make us all slowdown and enable us to delve into our innermost realms, reevaluate our surroundings, our relationships, our roles in our professional life and also achieve self-realization in many other aspects.
As a doctor, in our healthcare setting, we are primed to adapt and step up to the plate, no matter what .To complain really is not in our DNA because we have never seen ourselves as victims.
On a personal level, I always enjoyed being a workaholic calling my clinic my first home. Annual vacations were usually limited to a maximum of 5-7 days not because I never enjoyed them, but rather to savor the rejuvenation of short frequent holidays rather than consuming the entire 30-day annual leave at one go. The last long vacation that I remember was my maternity leave around 12 years ago.
When the corona pandemic struck and the lockdown was declared, I was exhilarated. The first week was a welcome break from the monotonous routine. Relaxing, making up for all the lost hours of sleep, rejuvenating oneself, calming minds with TV shows, decluttering closets, walking and zumba classes for a fitness routine and spending quality time with my children made me feel energetic and rejuvenated.
As the lockdown period extended longer, a sense of insecurity, boredom and disappointment slowly started creeping in. Thoughts of job stability, income, coping with an uncertain future and other were worries invaded my mind. But then the realization that “the world has slowed down to rediscover oneself” sprang into my mind and brought about some positivity.
I realized that I do not have control over the pandemic, but I can make the most of my days regardless. As much as I enjoy socializing, being sheltered at home was a necessary reprieve. It has enriched my sense of self peace and overall contentment.
I tried to search for venues to keep my mind occupied. I signed up as a volunteer with the Ministry of Health for contact tracing, in an effort to proactively and meaningfully assisting others, especially the lesser privileged. Being able to telework with flexibility, offering teleconsultations, attending webinars and training sessions by world renowned professors in the comfort of my home, helped improve my clinical skills excessively.
Quarantine was an opportunity to rediscover myself, to go back and rekindle hobbies and passions which were dear to me, but I couldn’t find time to nurture. I joined online baking and cooking classes and kept busy preparing the dishes which I learnt. It gave me lot of joy when I saw my hubby and kids relishing the dishes I doled out.
I also joined an online scrabble workshop conducted by a renowned world champion (if it weren’t for the lockdown, this would have been just a dream) which made me realize how little I knew about English language. It was also the perfect opportunity to go back to spiritualism. I found immense joy in reciting the Holy Quran and its transliteration, prayers ,fasting and duas with increased piety (since it was Ramadan).
I also spent a lot of time on social media, rediscovering old friends and relatives and striking up new, meaningful friendships as physical social connections became more of virtual.
As a mother, I could give undivided attention to my kids and cater to their needs which gave a lot of satisfaction. Rearranging the house also brought forth great joy. As a lady I could pamper myself with long hair treatment sessions and skin care which was unthinkable in regular times.
Perspective is an amazing art. Refined and enlightening us as time goes on. So let’s keep things in perspective. Our parents and grandparents had to endure a lot of hardships in times of pandemics, natural calamities, and wars. We have just been called to stay at home and sit on our couch in the confines of our homes. Keeping in good health, living in a secure abode with clean air/food/water and most importantly sharing space with the human threads of one’s life fabric, I could not but help find deep gratitude. None of us must burn out in this unforeseeable long drawn process. We must consciously take a few moments to pause and introspect. I learnt that being a workaholic is not a sign of success, instead it is a sign of neglect. All the experiences in the past two months has been a kind of dress rehearsal for retirement.
Yes, the streets are empty and we may be in isolation, but nature moves on. The earth rotates, the planets revolve, the sun rises and sets, our universe goes about business as usual.This grand scheme is an unfailing source of comfort and security which we all can count on each day. Let’s try our best to stay positive, sane and hopeful, develop a positive aura, keep looking forward with an enlightened, evolved and transformed outlook – just one day at a time!
“Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be…the future is not ours to see…Que sera sera. ”
By Dr. Sajna Mohammed
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