I hesitate as I write this blogpost because 2020 to me is not the worst year. It is the year that forced us to pause and rethink. I know as everyone reads this, there will be eye rolls, and some of you might even stop after reading the first sentence, but I hope you give this post a chance and read through.
The year started with all of us hearing the news of Wuhan shutting down and while we all acknowledged the horror of it, we continued to be merry in our lives. We were comfortable and the routine of life continued, until one day we realized our world across the globe was in lockdown. All humans but a microscopic organism that magically found its way across oceans and desserts. It had baffled the most brilliant minds and its audacity to keep moving forward was scaring our souls.
And then it happened. The young couple knocked on their old neighbor’s door and offered to buy groceries, the mom who was always rushing against the clock stopped her car to give a hand to the homeless, the parent found empathy for the teacher, and the teacher extended the learnings beyond the four walls of a classroom.
We stood up as ONE human race.
2020, you are the ghost of the human past. You brought forward the scars, sorrows, and despair of our past actions. To heal the scars, we were forced to pause ourselves and find our internal wellsprings of strength and kindness.
COVID doesn’t differentiate, it attacks anyone it can. COVID leveled the playing field forcing us to UNITE and work together and look beyond the color, race, and gender of our beings.
Breathing safely is now a privilege and not something we can take for granted. Online communication while distant is breaking barriers and creating new bridges. As humans stay home in lockdown, animals move freely and reclaim their forests, lakes, and oceans. Companies are thinking beyond the box. Offices gather dust, while homes came alive as families found new ways to work together. The concept of “my space” takes a new meaning. Schools close, and teachers find new ways to reach out to their students. Parents are learning to learn with their kids.
We are learning that patriotism is more than fighting and protecting borders. It is about being one and working together to build a better community. The grocery store cashier, the nurse, the doctor, the delivery person, the teacher, the soldier, the neighbor next door who work together to support and thrive through the chaos are all patriotic. The heroes of today wear masks, deliver our groceries, nurse the sick to health, and simply watch out for the neighbor.
For all the wars that have been fought for religion, today ALL the faiths of the world are praying together for the safety and well-being of the human race. Doesn’t this amaze you?
I am personally blown away by how a minuscule organism forced us to think differently, act differently, and do differently. Today we are kinder, more empathetic, more united, and more aware of ourselves and the beautiful world we live in.
We found our inner strength and thrived through all obstacles. Wearing our own cape of courage we became our very own Superheroes.
