Survival of the Kindest

    

                Year 2020 is been cursed a lot by now, It started off well it seems but couldn’t be fine for long. In the earliest months were the News of World War 3, Australia was burning as we know the Bush fire, we were crying over burnt Koalas too. We didn’t had enough time to take sigh of relief and there were unstoppable riots in the Capital State Delhi. At one point of time even I felt this riots are never going to stop. We were still living lives our own ways. The usual one Netflix and Chill on Friday nights, partying all Saturday and Lazy Sunday start with Zomato Menu (No brand endorsements here, just personal preferences). And news Flash Riots are still on but something else had erupted in Wuhan China and rest is history.

I guess Corona Virus made it New Year Resolution saying “This is going to be my Year”. Definitely 2020 is Its Year. Here I am not going to tell how deadly it is, what is the cure to it (definitely not by Gaumutra-Cow’s Urine).  But I can only say one thing stay at home with your family and treat them with Kindness, which is what this blog is about.

Everyone or the other is facing anxiety, trauma and feeling of hopelessness. Feeling of loneliness and boredom at some point of time. If we cannot change this, nothing is in our hand then why even think about it. Who might have thought this self- isolation will cost us mental distress. Who thought even our mobile phones and social media will get boring too. Hence we turned to cooking and reading books. Workout sessions and self-improvement sessions too. Why it is just me, my body, my happiness, my productivity, my learning skills, enhancement in my resume, etc. Basically why suddenly everyone wants to be perfect in this quarantine period, Why not a little kinder and generous in just simple act of talking and physical contact.

I am talking about the ones whom we are living with or not living with. We have locked ourselves with our family, there are our mother maybe even she is facing some mental stress about this situation too, even she might be shedding tears and praying to lord to make the situation alright. Did we generously talk to her, did we ask her about how she’s feeling. No because we were busy making biceps and baking cake just for social media. Our Father were getting bored scrolling the TV remote and stressing over same Corona Virus count. Did we just move out from our mobile screens and look up to him and smile. Our Grandparents who are with us, for few they might be away and alone in some other city across the country. Did we generously and attentively talk to them, I guess No, we were still busy scrolling Instagram feeds and video calling our lover. That is important too. And even grandparents are important, they are not going to be with us for too long.

   How can we be kinder to ones near us and far in this harsh time? Can we be more empathetic rather than just being self-sufficient?

•  Share jokes and funny videos to your mother and father too.
• Ask them about their times, how did they come up till here, ask them their stories. Ask them about your childhood, open up long lost photo albums, and re-live them again.
• Start a conversation with your grandparents asking them about living in there olden times, its simple to start a generous conversation with them as there is a big generation gap and a lot of information to be exchanged. Teach them new tech. ask them how old tech worked. By the end you will have hell lot of good information, you never had and a hearty laugh and jovial connection amidst both.
• Ask them to teach you yoga even if you know it, it will make them happier a lot.
• Not just conversation but physical interactions too because even they miss you.
• Ask them to narrate you some prayers daily as you start your day. That can help mentally and build a lot of hopes too.
• If they are away, at least connect with them via video call session at least for 10 minutes on weekends, even those 10 minutes can impact a lot on them.
• Smile to the watchman standing all day, all night for your safety as pass by them. Ask they if they need anything, just ask them even if you don’t intend to give. That will make him remember you ever.
• To the daily cleaners and workers just say thank you and ask about their well-being.

This way we will add positivity to their lives amidst this rough time. A mind requires to be at peace with everybody around. Being courteous can bring more hope and happiness to all. We have to win this but not alone but with everyone else too. Darwin didn’t quote “Survival of the fittest” Herbert Spencer did. In evolution “Survival of the Fittest” theory worked. But in this Revolution of Virus “Survival of the Kindest” will work. Take Care, Stay Home, Stay Kind.

--Deepika D. Kumar