Change is the only constant

Let’s learn to embrace the present moment and free ourselves from the past or the future

Recently, my mother shared with me a video that initially made me laugh but a few seconds later, the writer inside me felt it could be a story idea. The video showed a teacher taking attendance in a classroom in the year 2025. Contrary to what one would expect, the teacher started calling out weird names of the students as opposed to the common Aditya, Anjali, etc. I was taken aback when I realized that the kids were named after coronavirus. The names ranged from Quarantine Kumar, Lockdown Rathore, Coronavirus Awasthi, Wuhan Joshi to Social Distance Singh, Mask Mahto, Gloves Gaikwad, and the funniest of them all, Atmanirbhar Kelawala. The video was a humorous one and was aimed to tickle our funny bone. However, it forced me to think about what does the future holds for us.

This made me ponder over that all of us have been speculating about the fact that there will be massive changes even if the lockdown is relaxed. We feel that we will have to face long term repercussions and that it will take time for normalcy to re-appear in our lives. Well, there is no denying the fact that there can be a huge transformation and probably just like our weight loss journey pictures which are captioned- ‘before and after’, the same caption will be used for our lives ‘before COVID and after COVID’.

Here are some alterations that might happen:

1. Mask will be our companion for the coming few months, even a year.
2. Our concern for cleanliness and hygiene of our homes, offices, restaurants, malls, all the possible places we pass by or stay, what we eat, what we wear, what we use, will increase.
3. There will be less paper wastage as electronic work culture will be increasingly preferred.
4. Flexibility in work will be the new norm now. Gone are the days when we would witness a full house in our offices. Rotational shifts and work from home will rule now along with e-meetings.
5. There will be public-less public places. Hopefully, crowds won’t be visible in malls, restaurants, movie theatres, markets, grocery stores, offices, billing counters, public transportation, etc.
6. ‘Stay at home’ might be the new routine. We will travel less and stay more at home. We won’t step out unless it would be the need of the hour. We will think twice before making plans of hanging out with friends or planning the much-needed vacay.
7. Grand celebration with hundreds or thousands of well-wishers is now passé. An intimate gathering with a handful of closed ones will be our choice now.
8. Coronavirus has led to the formation of the actual digital era as not only businesses or services but even our communication is happening virtually.
9. The craze of watching the first-day first show in the theatres will now wither away as OTT rules over the theatres and television. The same will be for our shopping sprees, we will order more online instead of going out and trying out clothes which may have been tried by many people before.
10. While, there will be no more PDA, hugs or handshakes but our desi Namaste will be the preferred way to greet or even waving hello in the air along with flying kisses. High fives will now be air fives. 

However, despite the various changes which the virus has brought about in our way of living, the pandemic has helped us to live in the moment and to have gratitude for this life, for all that we have. If at this point, we have food to eat, a roof over our heads and clothes to wear, in short, we possess roti, kapda aur makaan, and if we are safe, then, we indeed are lucky.

There are people out there who are struggling with these basic amenities. Others have these facilities but are working 24/7 to ensure our safety, be it medical staff, the police, the militants. Not to forget, many are in isolation or the hospitals fighting their battles with the virus. And some have lost their loved ones too. Looking at the situation from a different perspective, it was coronavirus that made robbery, murder, and theft, and rape incidents to be reduced at least for now.

Coronavirus has made us learn some life lessons the hard way- health is wealth, nothing is temporary, change is the only constant, money can’t buy happiness and life, following the rules is for our benefit, to be prepared for the unexpected, keep calm, to live in the moment, that positivity, willpower, and fitness will help us and be kind and considerate to all. We have now learned to embrace the present and let go of the past. It is high time we think about how we want things to be in the future and prepare as per the present situation at hand.

COVID has changed our perspective and made us live in the moment, one day at a time. Even though it was a sudden event in our lives, it’s been a while now that we stop sulking and make efforts to ease out the situation as little or as much as possible. Even individual contribution at this stage would count a lot. Hence, instead of being disheartened, if we all will make persistent and consistent efforts, this phase might soon be over. It was created by us but can also end by us, by our efforts.  

A recent report by the UN body stated that between March- December 2020; more than 20 million babies are expected to be born in India. Why not let’s fight this virus together (by following all the rules of course) and make this world a better place for all of us and especially for the newborns that are expected to arrive soon. Let’s welcome them in a world where they can breathe freely, live happily. So that when they grow up we can narrate them the story –‘’Once Upon a time, we emerged victorious over the evil coronavirus!’’

P.S- All the parents reading this are requested not to be influenced by that video or this article while deciding a name for your kids. Just imagine how would COVID Awasthi seem to be on your child’s report card or their wedding card?

P.P.S- If you have no clue which video am I talking about, then, please contact me and I will share it with you.

If you have any suggestions, please feel free to comment below.