Learning from COVID
Times continue to be uncertain. Much as we would want to wear our optimistic hat, we cannot help but notice how some businesses whose raw materials are from abroad, need to fold up because their supplies have become so exorbitant, and the cost of fuel continues to skyrocket higher than a cardiograph can take.
So here we are faced with a bleak sounding future. Unless the crisis in the middle east dissipates, all of us who are dependent on that small artery of Hormuz, that feeds a great part of the world will remain in trepidation of what to expect.
Then there is that nagging concern of climate change. As the planet continues to writhe in discomfort at our abuse. The tragedies that abound as a result to the protesting earth takes us to gloomier pits. The surfacing of sinkholes, the frequencies of tremors that come in different parts of our archipelago create tension and magnify the ambiguity of the future.
But wait, what have we learned from COVID? How did we survive that great pandemic that made all the world pause. I have made a few notes that can be part of our survival kit more than a go-bag can.
We learned to be mindful. As we wore masks, we sanitized, we took great care of our health, not just for ourselves but for all those around us. We noticed things that we used to take for granted. Washing of hands, cleaning of areas, ensuring that we kept things in order. We noticed people who normally passed by. The security guard, the bellman, the janitor, the street cleaner. They suddenly became important to us because we acknowledged that we were in this together. Humanity surfaced and with it that affinity of being together. This was survival and we needed each other, another spirit to be with us.
We practiced resilience. We adjusted our lifestyle. We chose essentials over luxuries. Needs over wants. Today, people with cars have shifted to electric vehicles, or hybrids to save on the rising costs of gas. And as we now feel the pressure of equally escalating prices of power, we can shift to taking public transport to save on road use and fuel. We can bike again and if close enough, walk. That would be good exercise and allow more breathing time for our atmosphere as fumes will reduce.
We need to wake up our consciousness and be cautious of our use of electricity. Put off unnecessary utilities or appliances. Our Utility provider always reminds us to do this for they do not just want to get our money, they want to provide a service, longer, more sustainably.
What seems like a mother’s nag when she says “put off unnecessary lights and use a fan instead of the aircon when it’s not that warm,” or “only watch one TV!” or “don’t linger too long at the refrigerator…” are actually reminders we must take heed of to manage a balanced lifestyle.
We learned to be creative. We adapted to the new ways COVID taught us so that we created new ways of doing things. On-line meetings, consultations, selling.
We tapped local. We discovered local sources of things and built on what we found locally as inter-island transport and restrictions were also up. We developed new communities. New suppliers. And raised new economies as we continued our relationship with the rest of the globe.
We depended on God. Our prayer-life improved. With it our relationships grew in spite of the restrictions of space. We found time for our family, friends and our neighbors. We prayed for each other, with each other, for others. We upped our concern. As we banked on our strength as a people, we anchored ourselves, and our dreams on God.
With that surrender, all things ended well in time. We just need to know the ultimate source who keeps the whole universe in place.
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