
3 minute read
Peace of Mind
By: Zeba Hashmi, London Ontario
Serenity is a calmness, a feeling of tranquility. How many of us have it? How many of us have the time to feel in such a manner? How many of us are able to adapt to it when forced to?
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At this point in time, we are seeing our routines as pre-Covid-19 and post-Covid-19. How would we rank ourselves with having a sense of calmness in our lives? This depends on your personal living arrangement, family size, level of stability, and support system.
In the lockdown post Covid-19 we have also been forced to cut down the level of traveling, consumerism, and physical engagement with others. This has certainly slowed our level of outdoor daily activity and shifted it to the indoors. We now more than ever are engaging with our families, our little ones, our youth, and our elders, even if it is from a distance. We are more involved in cooking, crafts, and nature.
We have become pockets of isolated family units and while we are embarking once again on a lifestyle that existed in the mid-late 1900’s, we are able to stay connected through technology. Children are able to stay connected with schoolwork and teachers. Business meetings are able to continue through this manner. Children’s education continues, although not optimally, but teachers are able connect with students. All this is mindful of the fact, that only those in a certain socio-economic bracket are able to cope with these positives.
If one had to evaluate the level of tranquility one had in their lives pre-Covid-19 to post-Covid-19, what would be the answer? There certainly has been a drastic change of routine. There is no longer a village to support the physical needs of a family. However, there are many online supports. There is no longer the availability of after-school commitments to shuttle children to. There is no longer the reason to drive to work if one is not involved in essential services. There is probably the stress of managing work from home while trying to settle children to their new restrictive routines. There is probably more loneliness for those single and living alone. There is isolation and the inability to physically connect with loved ones, friends, acquaintances.
From an ecological perspective, the earth is feeling serenity as we see images and videos of animals feeling freer to roam the earth. Global carbon emissions have decreased due to less vehicle usage taking place and factories shutting or slowing down production.
While we are still in the midst of this crisis, we don’t know the end results of the mental health challenges, economic challenges, lifestyle changes this will produce on a tangible level until a vaccine is produced. Our government is in the best way possible easing us in this new normal.
If we were to examine silver linings, we can appreciate and be grateful for the fact there is serenity in the fact that the daily run has decreased. We are realizing what essentials really are in live. We have hopefully become more connected with the human race despite our differences. We hopefully have learned a new level of empathy for others. We have realized the essentials of coping include family, friends, food, faith, hope, and belief. The pause button has been hit. We are in this together and In’Sha’Allah we can get through this crisis with a peace of mind.

Photo by Oscar Nord on Unsplash