Pandemic. A lot has happened in the last year or so and it is difficult to see through the cloud and place reality from illusions. There is a story to everything now which otherwise would have gone unnoticed — objects, places and time. Everyone has something to share and most often than not it is deep and it is dark. As such the days and nights appear normal and usual, yet there is a faint unsettling feeling of what is and what it could have been.
The horrible show that stormed into people’s life without any warning splashed the ugliness of life’s truth, questioning every bit of their known consciousness and belief. This was followed by sudden skepticism about reality and existence. Opinions, Achievements and Stability became arguable. Unknowingly notions that were hardwired as the most important gradually started getting replaced with Health, Family and Faith. A Thank You or a Sorry have started to gain richer relevance.
I believe there is a new definition to every human aspect that matters in life including life itself. Both people and perspectives are changing and now there are alternate dimensions that were unrelatable just about eighteen months ago. While there is a constant hustle to escape the dreadful and an intense struggle to face the reality, there is also an unseen collective goodness which are making things possible and a strange optimism is being clinged on to.
In all of this chaos the only factor that has remained constant is that — Time keeps moving on with no regard whatsoever to the ramifications it has and with no chance whatsoever to mend the broken bits along the path. Which is probably why, off-late one can witness there are impulsive attempts to grab every bit of happy moment that hopefully can turn into a cherished memory. Somewhere there is a tiny urge to be friendly and forgiving. Elevator space is being handed over to the person next in the queue or random sharing of rationed goods are happening at stores. An eye contact with a stranger these days is turning into a smile and forgotten friends and families are anxiously reconnecting. Long awaited apologies are being delivered and spontaneous calls are being made to say thank you.
I feel the sense of hope that is floating around in the air is a contagious one — one that is forcing out absurd and otherwise unwise decisions and in most unlikely people and circumstances. There are serious reconsiderations over our choices and priorities. I have heard of people taking a break from a busy day or refusing to show up to a so called important meeting or folks moving back to live with their parents. Few are getting into a sabbatical mode and others are changing their course of work. And with each passing day, I am actually okay with this unwise yet hopeful contagious air. Are you?
