Adversity is a great teacher... How we must learn..

For all those who have lost their jobs in the pandemic, for all those who are suffering from COVID 19, for all those who have lost their family or friends to this disease, for all those who are facing salary cuts. For all those who are struggling to get their basic necessities home, for those who are facing the anxiety of an uncertain future, for those who are facing psychological issues staying at home or the threat of being exposed to the virus at the workplace.

Yes, all of you, rather all of us! I know there are many. Most of these are so common and the world has seen these adversities rise in the year 2020 by leaps and bounds...

1. Social life has changed to become a virtual life.
2. Parties have become online.. be it birthdays or anniversaries.
3. Religious gatherings can no more be observed.. religious festivals are celebrated only with family at home.
4. Cleaning and disinfecting home, offices, public spaces have become a norm.
5. Self-isolation even in case of cold has become common.

Win over the adversities of life

Talks on mental health are doing the rounds on social media, webinars, open forum discussions by mental health professionals. It is proven that mankind has survived many adversities and triumphed over them in the past. This too, I am confident, will be history one day. 

Whatever said and done, there are still those who are struggling to put a bold face and fight their battles. There are still some of us who are breaking bit by bit every day.

But let me tell u adversities teach you quite a bit.


Here are some tips which will help you to keep a positive mindset

1. Learn a new skill. Utilise your time to learn a new skill. Even if your work routine is set and no new demands are made by your employer for you to get upskilled. Yet learn something that you foresee as a market sought after skill, which will help you later.

2. Spend time with family. Lockdown has given us a wonderful opportunity to give time to those whom we had always been wanting to give time. We do save time on travel, especially those who are still working from home. We must ensure that we use this time for our dear ones.

3. Pursue a hobby. Get that guitar out of the closet, get that paint kit and the art book on the table, sit with your pen and paper to doodle. Pursue the form of art, a hobby you always loved and had no time to do when you were busy in the grind.

4. Clear and organise your clutter. Take time to organise your surroundings. Arrange the paperwork and documents lying around haphazardly. Scan pages and make folders to segregate the ones which may be used further as e-copies. This way you will de-clutter and order your most important papers.

5. Do pending household chores - For sure do all the household chores. Most of us have not yet resumed our maids to work. We have a ton of household activities which consume a large amount of time. But if you are and have to do it, then enjoy these tasks. Put some music or sing to yourself. Learn to entertain yourself while doing routine work.

Face Challenges

6. Try one thing new each weekend and plan for it during the week. The anticipation of how it will turn out can make you feel happy and engage your mind.

7. Spend time exercising. Try different forms of exercise and set a routine. It will make you feel confident as you get in shape. On top of it, it releases positive hormones which make you feel upbeat. 

8. Socialise using social media, video calls. Have frequent meet-ups with your family and friends. Share your concerns, your hobbies and how you are spending your time.

9. Watch some light comedy. I highly recommend this one. Comedy can put our brain to immense relaxation state. 

Overcome Adversities

10. Lastly, let me share a short story, which I had read some time ago, but is relevant here.

After a long, rough, and tiresome day, with millions of thoughts flooding and breaking the gates of the mind, Mr. X was winding up for the day.

In all the tension and stress, he just smiled.
All his agony and restlessness was fading away gradually. As he walked towards his house, before entering, he paused in front of a tree.

He started touching the tips of the branches with both hands and closed his eyes. He entered his house smiling and happy.

What happened in those few seconds? He underwent an amazing transformation.

He hugged his children, laughed and joked with his family and retired for the day at ease.

Hang your troubles on a tree

What he did was, before entering the house, he had imagined that he hung all his troubles one by one on the tree. He asked God to take care of him and left the troubles behind. He would do that every day. He would go to the tree in the morning and pick up the ones which were still there. The others he believed were absorbed in the soil.

Take time to unwind. Hang your troubles on the tree.. keep smiling...:):):)

If you have liked my writing, please share your thoughts in the comments section. It will inspire me to write more😊