IT’S THE SMALL THINGS
And life goes on. Amidst the rising COVID-19 cases and despite the uproar brought about by the enactment of the Anti-Terror bill and the non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchising. Life goes on. If there is anything that I have been thinking about quite intently the past few weeks it is the difference in how I used to spend my time before versus how I spend it now. If you would have told me before March this year that we would go on a three-month lockdown and I would stay home for that duration, I would have told you that you are out of your mind. I would have had a nervous breakdown with the sheer thought of not being able to go to work every day, to have to cancel my travel plans and jampack my days full. But, I suppose, in many ways, I would have also planned very differently had I known this pandemic would take place. Then again, I would not have recognized the value in all that I have come to realize.
For one, a lot of us found ourselves going back to the basics. We relished in the small things, and gained an even more fond appreciation for a lot of things we would take for granted in the past. Good health and safety we realized was most important, and we dropped everything else to prioritize and place value on it. If in the past we would power through a common cold, a cough, and even a slight fever just to get our jobs done in the workplace, the slightest sniffle and sneeze these days almost automatically merits self-quarantine and for the most vigilant of us, a COVID-19 test.
I realized that the 24 hours each day is comprised of is ultimately what we make of it. There were and still are times when I find myself fascinated at the fact that the clock still ticks at the same speed regardless of whether I stay home all day, or fill my day with back-to-back meetings at work. The thought that I am able to be productive from home and get things done is rather comforting. In the past, laziness would automatically be associated with working from home, but these days, it has quickly become the norm for a lot of teams and companies, given the skeletal workforce we still find ourselves operating in. Truly, mindset and perspective is responsible for shaping so much more than we think.
Even with churches closed, we devoted and allotted more time perhaps than usual to prayer simply because faith is our strongest pillar and what we have to cling on to the most in trying times. A lot of rosary groups were formed on Zoom, and Bible studies conducted online ensued. Online and televised masses as well became the norm in many households, which, to me, re-affirmed my belief on why the Filipino people are very resilient. Their faith is unwavering and will always see them through.
As we slowly ease our way back into our regular routines, let us remember to do so with extra caution and care still. Although life goes on, the virus is still in our midst and has not disappeared. Let us remember that as part of being a good citizen, we must do our share in being vigilant as not to infect those around us. We must continue to respect protocols and, more importantly, the personal preferences of our friends and family. Remember, everyone will adjust at different speeds and paces, in the same way that everyone reacted to the enhanced community quarantine in a multitude of ways. Most importantly, let us all keep our faith that a vaccine will be developed soon, and/or a cure be found. But until then, let us do our share, continue to pray, hold our heads up high, and hope for the best.