It may be subjective, but there is so much to do than to whine about this quarantine. In fact, it’s not just our country that has been mandated, but almost every country in the world is affected by this health crisis. May the heavens have mercy on us.
I have read of stories about God’s wrath in the Bible, and watched historical documentaries about past pandemics, but I have never imagined that I will experience similar episodes in my lifetime; though I am thankful that my family and I are far from sick. Far from the gore photos and clips shown in the documentaries that I have watched.
Being an ambivert, I am comfortable being at home, but my outgoing personality weighs more than my being introverted, which made me want to go out of the house at the early weeks of the Community Quarantine, and having “food delivery” as my reason for going out of the house. I drove from Lapulapu City to Tisa, Labangon with an estimated 12km distance and one hour drive just to buy Siomai, and deliver it to friends.
But as weeks passed and the infected cases multiplied, it hit me with reality that this crisis is real, and decided to Stay at Home.
Here are some of my realization while I am on quarantine.
Our Inner Self
There is a greater world inside of us than the distractions we find on the physical world.
Reading news of blame game, power tripping and a fraction of the majority struggling to survive drain my energy, and this made me decide to filter information from social media, because as much as I want to avoid negativity, I still need to be informed of what is happening around me.
Due to all the noise, I have protected my personal space, and created a barrier, a limit. Meditation, Self-talk, Conversations to my ancestors (spirit guides) and the divine make me feel better amidst this crisis. I close my eyes, breathe deeply, visit my inner world and listen to my inner voice. It changed my perception of life better.
Contentment
I have always been a minimalist, in my life and work. I have this understanding that “Life is difficult because we make it difficult.” Every morning this ECQ, I stay at our veranda to have my cup of hot coffee while watching the trees sway with the wind and the chirping of the birds. I notice that the trees and birds follow the course and survive the basic provisions of nature, it’s their daily cycle – and they survive. While we, people, tend to complicate our lives with the lack of contentment, creating problems because of our own doings. Wanting to have more when we can live our life fully with only our basic needs.
This ECQ, I have valued my life more, that my basic needs is more important than my wants. That I can live in simplicity, with the hope that I will be abundantly provided through hard work and faith. Though there is nothing wrong to thrive for more, what is wrong is when we fail to appreciate what is served in our already full plates.
Live Your Best Life
After this ECQ is over and when we go back to our daily lives again, start living your Best Life. Become the better person, be empathetic than ever before. We have been given another chance to live, so let’s make it our best. Do the things you have always been wanting to do, and do it with zest. Be a man for others and have a heart that is ready to give.
In the end, what matters most is how you have influenced people to do better and impact their lives for them to be better people.
