In a previous post I mentioned that the ordinariness of life we experience is underrated, I imagine just how many more would appreciate that truth by this time in 2020!

Takes an out-of-ordinary event to realise the blessings of a normal day that has often gone unnoticed, doesn’t it? But we know the events in 2020 have definitely been more than just ‘unordinary’.

 

 

 

 

Strangely ‘welcomed’

(Of course) Not COVID-19 in itself, but the mandated change of life routine has simply freed up my usual busy schedule.  Relatively freer anyway.   

Any social activity is either cancelled or moved online.  Then there’s the extra time (easily 10 hrs/week) back in my pocket from not commuting for work.  Savings in time and also some expenses.  

Very quickly into it, I felt both restful and productive. 

I know that’s because I’m one of the fortunate ones in this situation for different factors such as:

• I’m a healthy young person
• I have a secure job 
• My faith gives perspective
• I have an existing network of family, strong friendships and fellowship
• In my home, there’s no kid who’s remote learning and pulling my hair out 
• My loud wolf crying neighbour is no longer in his apartment 

Good habits pay

I realise good habits reap benefits particularly in times like this.  I’ve been used to being productive with my days, but I was still surprised at how well I continue to do with the changes in the last few months (albeit the days look different obviously).   

I was made aware of that when I started hearing people wondering what to do now with all the extra time.  I just get on with things as I personally find no difficulties finding worthwhile things to do with my time.  

As I heard someone said before, ‘If you’ve developed good habits, you’ll reap the benefits long term.  If you’ve developed bad habits, you’ll spend your whole life trying to get out of it.’  Self-discipline is a worthwhile investment, isn’t it?

I’ve had a few conversations with people about how not to waste this pandemic.  But frankly, if I haven’t been using my time wisely, I wouldn’t expect to go on being productive with all the additional hours either.  It’s something like giving, if you don’t give with what you already have, don’t expect to suddenly have a generous heart when you have more in future.  It’s more to do with an attitude of the heart than a particular outward circumstance.

In any case, you’ve got to start somewhere so it’s still a good thing to start thinking about it.  No one slides into usefulness, though we do slide effortlessly into slothfulness.  So, I’d definitely recommend anyone to reflect on how we want to spend the limited days we have on Earth so we’re not left with a sense of hopeless regret on the deathbed (if we don’t die instantly without a chance to reflect, that is).

‘COVID-19 makes people worse’

I heard someone said (in the midst of the toilet rolls rampage🧻),

‘It (COVID-19) makes people worse than they are.’

Not really, I think people’s behaviours only reveal who they are.  There’s nothing ‘uncharacteristic’ about such behaviors, indeed I’d contend that time of ease have concealed what we’re actually capable of, only to be revealed when occasions cause us to drop our pretense. So don’t blame the pandemic for your behaviour, I’d thank it instead for giving me an insight into the kind of person that I am.

It is revealing not only from the different responses (the way one responds to crisis reveals something of what he/she is made of), but also from the way people choose to live in the changed circumstances of their lives.  

Some reacted early by arranging for ‘Working From Home’ weeks before the company itself considers its implementation. Others completely disregard the restrictions by having massive KFC party. Some eager to flood the social media with all types of ‘positive’ images that are meant to spread some positive vibes. Not a few took on the full time job of flicking on to others as rapidly as they possibly can every single unverified ‘news’ they saw. Still others shut out social media completely for the indiscriminate loads of nonsense they see floating around. Some are preoccupied with entertainment. Others are busy thinking of and doing what they can to help others in need.

COVID-19 levels everyone

Mom giggled and said to me, ‘Imagine those Medan aunties who’ve been spending all these years going for ‘arisan‘* in cafes etc, now they have no occasion to dress up. Where and who do you parade for when you can’t get out of the house?’

*social gathering normally among wealthy housewives in Indonesia

Yes, but not just for these women, for everyone else too.

When all distractions are removed, when all those (meetups, activities, running in and out of the house, etc that we busy ourselves with that let us imagine we’re doing something with our lives) are minimised to a degree that we have space to reflect ‘Have I truly been living?’, do we make use of it to examine what makes life valuable and worth living for? What gives values to your life when you’re stripped bare of the luxuries that have served as diversions?

It’s something worth thinking about. If what’s been giving me meaning is entertainment, for example, it’s not a surprise that I’m now restless and bored to death. Is the source of my significance something that can be taken from me in times like this? Remember too it’s not just COVID-19, but something else will take it away from you too if what you hold dear is made up of the same fleeting nature.

The difference now is that we normally only really think about things that matter when some personal crisis hits, which may take a long time for some e.g., when they’re old or really sick, etc. But with COVID-19, whichever season in life you’re in, suddenly you’re forced to sit anyway, and think anyway. That in itself isn’t a bad thing.

Anyway, I think it is a choice each can make to not waste the pandemic.

.. Although some of us hardly learn! As I’ve been updated, now instead some of the Medanese women are busy getting various ‘pretty’ masks they can alternate around to look pretty when they’re outside.

There’s nothing wrong wearing pretty masks (whatever that means!), but if that’s your main preoccupation in the midst of all that’s happening, I do suspect there’s something seriously wrong with your brain.

That’s enough said about vanity. But there’s a lot more to say of what’s been happening in the past few months that I may get on to in future posts.