LESSONS I LEARNED DURING QUARANTINE!

As every new year, we all were so excited for a new beginning in 2020. As usual, we all were busy making resolutions (which obviously, most of us do not follow at all), keeping aside all the hatred and asking for apologies, partying with friends, eating cakes and what not. 

But who knew these smiles were as temporary as our new year resolutions! On 22 March 2020, for the first time in my life I heard the word “QUARANTINE”. Frankly speaking, for few days i was just so much thrilled and happy, unaware of the outcomes this fancy word was going to unfold in front of our community. But no later than a week, I realized that this was an elusive trap. It was something that is very hard to cherish but if not cherished, this is going to be very hard on us.  

Now, after a journey of almost 3 months, carrying the bag of uncertainty with me all the time, and introspecting in nature and books (with books I mean some frozen thoughts of people with great wisdom) , I’m here to share few things that kept me engaged and gave me a ray of hope. I’ve tried to not let you bore while scrolling down.  

1. I STARTED WAKING UP EARLY IN THE MORNING 

I cannot emphasize more on the habit of waking up early in the morning. I was a night owl for all my life. When I myself faced the consequences of untimely sleeping cycle, only then I realized the magic of being a Lark. I just forced myself for a single day to wake up at 5 am and I went directly at the terrace to take a view of nature. Believe me, now I eagerly wait for the beginning of another day just to capture that view again. 

 “Go to bed early and wake up early. The morning hours are good.” – Jeff Bezos(CEO AMAZON)

Cirrocumulus clouds

2. YOGA 

My mother has greatly influenced me to put me to yoga practice. How I maintained the consistency? I read this book on Yoga and watched many you tube videos which were enough for me to understand the biological, physical and spiritual miracles of this great ancient Indian practice. You will yourself feel the calmness within you. And the good news is that it costs nothing but just a comfortable yoga mat!! 

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” — The Bhagavad Gita

3. READING NEWSPAPER 

I know many must be thinking that reading newspaper at the time of crises surrounds you with all the negative vibes. Yes, I can agree to some extent. But I think it somewhat differently. See, if you cannot feel the pain of your own human community, then how will you ignite the urge of compassion and problem solving for your people? Also, there is a pro tip for people who find it really hard to engulf the emotional pain, start with reading the editorials, sports news, articles on people who are already working hard to save mankind, science and technologies and other stuffs like that. You will feel connected with everyone when all you can do is- just hold a few sheets of newspaper! 

“A good newspaper is a nation talking to itself.”
Arthur Miller

4. FEED YOURSELF WITH A HEALTHY BREAKFAST 

A good breakfast fuels you up and gets you ready for the day. It sets up your metabolism and you are more likely to make healthy choices throughout the day! 

The beautiful quote by AA Gill will do all the justice to this statement.  

“Breakfast is everything. The beginning, the first thing. It is the mouthful that is the commitment to a new day, a continuing life.” 

5. TEACH SOMEONE 

Teaching is truly an art. It is not only the most beautiful medium of sharing knowledge, but also an intangible source of happiness. It fills at least my heart with gratitude, meaning and content. I cannot describe the feeling that I get when a student says to me Thank you! For making me fall in love with the subject. Aahaan!! I can literally do anything to re-live that feeling all over again. A student always has a pure form of love and respect for a teacher whose only intention is the upliftment of his/her student.  

“In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn.”
― Phil Collins

 6. REFINE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

Books are indeed my best friends. Because a friend in need is a friend indeed. Right?? (It doesn’t have to do anything with my human friends. You are the precious gem of my life.) Coming back to the point, keep working towards your goal. It is the wonderful opportunity to all of us who keep giving excuses for the lack of time in our so-called busy schedules. You may never know what new surprise is going to unfold itself on your way in the near future. Make yourself ready to face all the odds. Explore and experiment to do the same things but differently. After all, post-corona world is never going to be the same. 

“One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.” —Michael Korda

7. REST, PLAY AND DON’T TAKE YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLY 

This time will never return. Spend as much time with your family and loved ones as much you can. Be easy on yourself and those who are around you. We have to face this time no matter what, then why not make these moments the memorable ones? Believe me, we will learn to mock at these times when we will surpass all the odds. Even Bhagavat Gita says, “CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT”. 

“Mix a little foolishness with your serious plans. It is lovely to be silly at the right moment.” –Horace

I know it was such a long article to read, but if you have made it till the end, I definitely know you feel the same and was searching for some answer.  

Please comment down your thoughts and habits, so that i can consider them too.  

WITH LOTS OF LOVE! ❤