We may discuss you incessantly, but you aren’t popular at all. I am sure you know that Covid, despite which you do what you do. You have been the reason that people lost jobs, lives, and hope. You’ve caused destruction that will take years to rebuild, if at all.
However, I have a confession to make. I am one person whose life you changed, completely.
When you first struck, I, like a lot of other people, thought you were a passing wind. You would be gone before we realized it. How wrong I was, and that is the first thing you made me realize – that we can’t be sure of something we don’t know anything about.
When I accepted that you were here to stay, I still didn’t feel the weight of your impact. Till we lost a dear friend to you. A young man who was healthy, hopeful, and left the world with his many unfulfilled dreams and plans. This was when it was reiterated to me that we are not invincible and we only have now, and this very moment.
You showed no signs of leaving, Covid. As you stayed you made me understand that there was so much I did not need. There were so many things and relationships I could survive without. The office space was replaced with a laptop, mobile, and wifi, and work went on. Daily chats with loved ones become scarce, but the rare ones we had held all the emotions and honesty we could squeeze in.
You made me even more grateful than I used to be. I thanked the Universe every day that I had a roof over my head, food on the table and an able body to tackle all the manual labor all of us found ourselves grappling with.
When you stayed put, we couldn’t step outside. That is when I decided to go inside. I began Meditating once again. I hadn’t been happy with myself and my life for a long, long time. This deep dive within, via meditation, made me tread dangerous waters, of thoughts and feelings I had pushed away, hoping I would never have to confront them again.
Facing them was painful, accepting them even more so. But you, Covid, refused to move away, which is why I moved deeper into my psyche. Sorting, discarding, and accepting what I deemed fit. The tunnel this journey led me through was dark. It was scary. Just when I thought I would never see daylight, the light of understanding and acceptance dawned.
It is said that the ‘Truth will set you free’. What no one tells you is that the truth will make you mad as hell and bring you down to your knees before it sets you free. When you’re down on your knees you are in the perfect position to pray. I formed a new bond with The Universe, trusting it and surrendering myself to it completely.
That trust has paid off beautifully.
I am at a place in life where I am at peace. I am content. I am very grateful. I know the pain you have brought to the world so I hesitate to say this, but I must – I am grateful to you, Covid. If not for you I would not have been where I am, opening a new door and walking a new path.
I wish everyone who has had something taken away due to Covid, finds the peace they need.
Beautifully written ☺️
Thank you, Preethi.
Yes, Covid has taken away loved ones of so many people & like you mentioned we should all pray for peace for them. when I look back as well, I feel that I have also learnt so much during this time & God had really been kind to me.
Thanks for reading, Aesha. Yes, we owe thanks to this difficult time.
That’s such an earnest piece Mayuri. I can’t even begin to count how Covid has changed me. That bit about not needing so many things/relationships resonated. Oh it’s been a time of shedding away, without regrets.
Thanks for reading, Sonia, and so glad that our thoughts resonate.
I had been affected by Covid Twice, last year in Delta, this year Omicron. It made me emotionally strong and it made me realize that I can do it. Your post is truly beautiful. I can feel your words.
Glad that you recovered well, Monidipa. Wishing you good health. Thank you for reading.
How beautifully written!! I couldn’t agree more. We know the pain when we lose someone close to this covid. Learning again to be normal and start living wit the fact that it is not going to go away soon.
Thank you for reading, Sadvika.
Loved it. There is always a good and bad side of everything. I liked that towards the end you could see the positives and accepted it. I am doing the same, you can say I have been through the same journey and learnt some valuable life lessons what if in a hard way.
You are right, Covid was a small thought which later turned into a disaster in everyone’s life and the same time it taught a life time lesson of how to be great full for what we have. Well written keep going.
Beautifully expressed your journey of life post COVID. Life surely gives us Choices to carefully introspect and value our life.The various ways have led me to reflect on these pointers too. Thank you dear
This was at times hopeful and at times struck a sad note – but isn’t that what covid is about? Stay strong, keep writing and keep fighting
What a lovely heart touching read Mayuri. I could not agree more with you that Covid has made a great impact on our lives. Our non-stop lives now understand the value of small things; the value of joy, family and friends, and moreover, our lives now understand the true meaning of life. I wish we could go back to our old life with the new lessons we learned from the covid.
Beautifully Written Mayuri. Indeed Covid has changed things for us. We learned to value our family more and started taking mental health seriously. Especially being the one who tested positive and was hospitalized, I realized how a lil hope matters the most while being around people who were tested positive.
Thank you, Vidhya. Yes, Covid has been tough on us all but it also taught us a lot.
You’ve summarised both the positives and negatives of the last two years beautifully. We know now what baggage to shed and are grateful for the life and love we have around us.
Thanks for reading, Varsha.
I loved your earnest expression Mayuri… it is so heartfelt. I like the way you’ve put it all together too… it makes for a beautiful read.
Thank you, Kaveri.
This is such a beautiful post, Mayuri. Covid has brought lessons for all of us and my biggest learning from these two years has been the importance of mental health. I mean, sure I’ve talked about it and thought about it before, but these two years have taught me how much I undermined its importance in spite of all the conversations I participated in around it.
I loved how you’ve found the silver lining in all the downsides. I’ll admit that it does not bring me closure or answer the many whys I have about all that my family and I have been through, but it is a consolation. Your post makes me grateful for all that worked for us in this time, and I guess I have to thank you for reminding me of this gratitude.
Much love and peach to you too!
Beautifully written, Mayuri. Covid has changed all our lives. It has made us realize what is important. There are so many things we take for granted.
Thank you, Madhuji.
Such an honest piece, Mayuri. I never expect anything less from you. You are absolutely right. Covid set our priorities straight. And be grateful for things we often took for granted. God only knows when things will be back to normal or if they ever will.
Thank you, Ritu. I think this will be something we will all learn to live with.
Very honest and heart-felt expressions. Covid has taken a lot from us, and has made us stronger and tougher.
Thank you, Jhilmil.
Wonderfully written and conveyed, I could feel every word, every emotion you have put here, gratitude for what and where we are. Covid might or might not stay but, the things we learnt specially survival art and values inculcated due to covid will surely stay forever with all of us
Rightly said, Pooja.
Lovely piece Mayuri. COVID has made us humble and realise how temporary everything is. Biggest learning has been on how little is actually needed to live and sharing
Thank you, Vasumathi.
What a post, Mayuri.Candid, honest, and forthright. Stay blessed in your positive world. very few have the luxury of it these days. 2020 was an epoch-making year for me. My son. and family were with me for 4 and a half months. I was on top of the world. I didn’t bother about the pandemic or how people were suffering. Maybe I have been punished for that. 2021 blew away my lovely castle in the sand. My health is still an issue and my son must be chatting up his dad up there.
Thank you, Harjeet. I wish you peace.
What a beautiful post Mayuri. Covid has indeed brought everyone close to their family and more importantly help people introspect their life. It has also brought in self-awareness, healthy lifestyle and made us realise the value of life and living. Reading this post, made me realise how you are filled with so much positivity and I am sure all your readers will be able to find the inner peace and silver lining in the worse scenarios.
Thank you for this beautiful comment, Amritha.
Very beautiful! Such honesty! I think the stages that you have described was something we all have gone through initially there was just indifference towards covid but once we started loosing our near ones we realised what Covid is. It has made us realise what are the important relations in life and to value the quality of our lives more than just living by each day as a routine.
Well said, Shail. Thank you for reading.
What a atouching and relatable letter. As you said I too learned to show more gratitude. And also I’m meditatio more.
Glad to know that, Rakhi. Thank you for reading.
It is such a heartwarming read! And especially the way you concluded saying how the universe listens to us only after making us surrender ourselves gave me goosebumps. I am really happy to know that you are in a space of being content. I am yet to find my own piece, though. Hope I will someday! Loved it.
Thank you, Chinu. I hope you find your peace soon.
Covid did play havoc but trust me these two years were magical to me. I’m thankful that o didn’t get to meet a lot of people, stayed at home in peace. I got to spend a lot time with my mom before she left me alone in this world.
So sorry for your loss, Sindhu.
So beautifully written Mayuri. Indeed Covid taught us many things. Certainly our lives are same and we all changed and learned so much.
Thank you, Abha.
It feels like You have penned down my thoughts, Gratitude always for what and where we are. prayers for those who have lost their jobs or loved ones to Covid, Covid has really done a lot of Damage alredy to the world, mankind. I hope it passes or fades away.
Thank you, Pooja.
These words have a deep meaning. You showed us the positivity during this hard and challenging phase of life.This read has made me more delightful then before I was during COVID 19.
Thank you, Bhawna.
Your piece is a blend of acceptance and understanding put in the most eloquent and heart-warming way. Wishing you peace, power and love!
Thanks for you beautiful comment and wish, Kashish.
That’s a very poignant piece. I like the fact that you focus on positives more than the negatives. Hopefully, this too shall pass!
Thank you, Raghav.
Life has completely changed today comparative to 2vyears back. Peace and strength to all those who have suffered due to this in their life.
Amen to that!
This was such a heartfelt article. And I could totally relate to the emotions. It was tough me too.
Well said Mayuri… This time was tough for many reasons but it was definitely a time of immense learning, as you have rightly pointed out.