I am a person who likes to go out. To travel, to meet family and friends and to experience new things. Due to the pandemic situation it is all not possible. Of course I don’t like the boundaries, but I have accepted the situation from the start. I have learned to focus on the things that are still possible to do. And there are many things that you still can do. For example reading books, doing online courses, writing, drawing, watching series, movies or documentaries, going out for a walk, learning a language, learning to bake a vegan recipe or meditation. Never a dull or boring moment.
Being mindful means to live in the moment. Don’t be too busy with thinking about the past and future. But be present in the moment. We all know everything has a begin and end. Also this situation will change and will not last forever. We know everything will be fine. But it is your choice how to deal with the situation. Do you see it as a burden or do you see it as a chance?
I am shocked about the current situation in the Netherlands. We only have a curfew of 2 weeks and it looks like hell is breaking loose. Of course most of the people understand that the lockdown is necessary. It’s only a small group who ruins it for the rest. But it is just sad to see that in a country like this, these things happen. A country where the government is taking care of you in a situation like this. Where they support and protect everyone. Where most of the people have a luxury life and still can do many things. How is it for people in other countries? Where there is no support from the government? Where having no job means that you can’t buy food?
Nobody likes this situation, but at least be in harmony and make the best out of this situation. Do something useful with the extra time you have instead of being bored and angry. See this period as a chance to learn something new and use your time wisely. As when this pandemic situation is over again, many of us will be too busy again. Learn from this period and be in balance. Be grateful for what you do have.
No matter how difficult the situation may be, we should employ science and human ingenuity with determination and courage to overcome the problems that confront us. Faced with threats to our health and well-being, it is natural to feel anxiety and fear. Nevertheless, I take great solace in the following wise advice to examine the problems before us: If there is something to be done—do it, without any need to worry; if there’s nothing to be done, worrying about it further will not help.
Dalai Lama
Sources:
– Dalai Lama
Jane Regina Sauer 