We now run as a tortoise and no more a hare

Until March 2021, we always wanted to outdo each other, do better, so we aimed higher and sweated out to reach even higher. We all wanted to get to the summit of everything we do. Not once did we appreciate and value all the time, space that was there to fit in to pursue a new hobby, learn something new, connect with another culture and look at anything beyond that would help us grow better. Nor did we stop for a moment to be grateful to nature who kept running with us, providing her service without any protest, but we had no gratitude nor value.

We were fierce to compete with each other, running, stumbling, falling, rising and then running even harder. All of us wanted to be the hare but never the tortoise.

Until a microscopic being decided to tear down the gears of our un ending race. Before we knew what happened, everything from doing our daily errands, going to school, college or work simply took hours, days and weeks to either get it done or we just had to wait till everything around us was fine to make it happen. Strangely gradually but rapidly the race slowed down and at times halted. We all became tortoises.

In a way I take this pandemic breakthrough as a time to unlearn, relearn and learn many new skills, interests and read more of things that can shape those intentions into reality. All this I do, while I keep a tab in staying safe from the dangers of an invisible viral being that may get me anytime. With all the negativity that’s bountifully flowing around, I focus more on adopting to a new normal world and do not panic over this viral being pouncing on me.

I began by becoming more mindful, what I listen to, read and watch. about the food I put inside myself, how I work out, After a while, it all made sense, Being mindful about simple things does take a lot of your thoughts into a different direction, it helps you to turn your mind towards many things, which you otherwise thought were lame or just wasn’t meant for you. It’s amazing how this connects al the cords in your fuse box up there in your head, to keep the flow of electricity lighting up your system.

Within this dull frame of social distancing there is also hidden world of goodness which we do not realize or just do not wish to open up to, because our minds are so locked up, in what we are used to having and doing mindlessly.

Although I have to admit that some pleasures in the old normal world such as travel  being outdoors, the ocean, parks and the buzz of downtown all gnaw into me, I tell my mind that this is the world which is now as good as a black and white television given to us. We either take it and try to add some tubes to its monitor and turn it into colour  or stick with the monochrome view.

Actually it’s all about staying mindful and the choices we make. I admit it’s no easy game but this is now the new race we must run and we must keep running, this time slower but steadier in real tortoise pace but with a sharp mind of a hare.

Let’s support those who are struggling to run this new race.