#lockdownstories

Something which you must have heard from many people...your friend, colleagues or parents might have just said that to you..when you are low or clueless in the Lockdown period. But one thought is this really true????

A thought which struck my mind since lockdown, a week after it was implemented air got worth breathing with fewer pollutants, animals could see the earth as their home again and nature started having its own fun with some adventures. I told myself ‘World Is Healing’ and we may Heal ourselves with it and then there will all be something better for us to do in the coming years. Maybe something we might not have done so far.  

It’s the phase of lockdown, something no one has been prepared about or even thought of, and as I planned to pen my thoughts and share my stories with you all, I planned to introduce it with one phrase which has been occupying my mind during most of this phase. As I sat to write down the blog, I called a friend and asked her if she feels that she has healed in this phase? And it was a quick answer with a smile YES :). ”Yes I have” 

Adding further she said, I got a lot of time to think about  myself, my career, and 

how my creative part has enhanced my work front. In the middle of handling all by herself from managing home, her family she is happy to found her new self. Somewhere she is clear about what she wants to do in the coming years. For me it was such a delight to know how my friend has really found her new self in this phase. However, there is another story as well..I pinged another friend of mine asking him about his experiences and how he is coping with these times. To my surprise, he said he really doesn't know if he has healed himself at this time. He has a corporate job and has been very busy doing his work. He also shared that the communication gap has increased between him and his boss as they always think we are not working much because we are working from home..but it is a completely different story as he has to work extra hours and the work pressure is way beyond normal. But there was one thing he was happy about...In this time he discovered that he can also dedicatedly sit and meditate. :) #SelfDiscovery 

I believe this phase is teaching us something..something which we will remember our entire life. Mostly, I am busy doing home chores as we don’t have any domestic help currently, engaging myself in cooking, trying new dishes as something or the other keeps me busy.

However, I still feel there is some healing inside..I am not over stressing or pushing myself to do things I don't really like..I am getting more clear about my thoughts...I know I can share and greet the world with it..I can pen them here..openly without any fear, without caring of what will people think about what I write. 

It wouldn't be wrong to say that a lot has happened over these months. But looking at the brighter side, we always saw humans manipulating the environment now a wave has struck that will make us respect the nature and time we have in this world. 

A year had passed in a blink of an eye. I can still remember the situation we've all been through. I found myself staring at the window with misty eyes. It is tearing my heart into tiny pieces, seeing the world engulfed with the darkness that seems to be inevitable. Imprisoned in our own houses handcuffed by the new protocols, covered with a mask, loaded with despising the smell of sanitizers, anxiously waiting for the food ration to arrive. I thought it would be easy to adjust to the situation, but the whole year had worsened. God put us to a test on how strong and long we will last. Unfortunate calamities came through the threat of volcanic eruptions and intense typhoons which killed human lives, animals and destroyed millions of properties. Food in short supply, the societal classes between the rich and the poor had widened, chillin' like a villain and enjoying the luxury of life, abundant food served. Restless feet, voices that cannot be heard, taking chances, and other opportunities outside to ease thirst and hunger. Realizations have entered my conscious mind while sipping a cup of coffee and inhaling its aroma, living the same world and dilemma but a different lifestyle. Oh to be living on cloud nine, but this is the reality no one can avert. One sure thing to do is to cope up and always start the days fresh and new. The farther and longer the pandemic would last, all that matters is our growing faith in God. Ever since it happened, there's something inside me feeling upset and annoyed because there's a point in my life that I want to change and achieve. Making the most out of my time during the pandemic, finding new hobbies and a good lifestyle to adapt to. To be active and healthy during the pandemic crisis, my second brother adopted a cute little puppy which helped me and my family as well to forget those times that we both had a hard time to spend almost our free time. This cute little white with a brown spot on his fur, a puppy named Kobi gave us a whole new world and colorful days to spend with. Taking him outside for a walk once in a while and abiding by protocols and taking lots of pictures to treasure the moment. The shuttering sound of the camera, for the reason why I love taking photos too and commemorate the day that had gone and a lingering emotion that I felt. Living in this life, picturing the calendar flashes right into my eyes, days have gone by and the night is still gloomy and dark. I've been staying back and forth in the small four corners of our house for so long, my home. Yet, finding ways to spend countless times and cooking has been my favorite thing to do. I love the prepping sound of cutting onions, garlic, and vegetables, the sizzling sound of meat, the sautéing pan, and my family members' lovely smile as a token of appreciation. For now, I know most of us are having a hard time dealing with this dilemma and the pressure and burden of making a change for the country and the world. Change is in our hands whether we like it or not, it's like a superpower of a hero in famous marvel movies. But in reality, humans are the real heroes, and the superpower that we have can be and should be used from time to time. The pandemic crisis taught us to be tough and wonder why such things kept on happening over again, and have we learned the lesson that the pandemic had given? Part of many people's lifestyle is to check their phone and unconsciously spend most of their time on social media platforms sharing their concerns, agony towards the people in the higher position regarding their actions in the crisis and emerging problems in the country. Their voices can be heard but the actions cannot be seen, this doesn't make sense. Undeniably the gap had widened and worsened, they say no one should be left behind but how sure we are that no one was left behind. Whatever I do, all I can think of is the people left in this situation. Getting closer to the end of the darkness, all wanted to see the rainbow of hope, hearing people's laughter while stomping their feet and freely touching their friend's shoulder,

eating outside without a plastic barrier, and hugging someone when it felt like the world turned its back. Hand and hand chasing for our dreams, choosing lifestyles and paths to walk through without leaving anyone behind. One day, waking up with wet eyes and a pillow, this was just a nightmare that I don't even want to remember. May the changes in our life begin now.

Οι μέρες μας είναι σαν αυτή την εικόνα. Υπάρχουν εκείνες οι σκοτεινές σκέψεις που πολύ συχνά πέφτουν σαν ομίχλη και θολώνουν τον ορίζοντα και την ύπαρξή μας. Υπάρχουν τα βουνά που χρειάζεται να σκαρφαλώσουμε, οι δυνατοί άνεμοι και οι μπόρες που μαστιγώνουν το πρόσωπό μας. Μερικές φορές δεν επιλέγουμε αυτή την ανηφόρα. Είναι όμως κι αυτή μια διαδρομή που όσο κι αν μας δυσκολεύει μας χαρίζει παραστάσεις, εμπειρίες, δεξιότητες, συναισθήματα. Τις περισσότερες φορές έχουμε και συνοδοιπόρους -αδέρφια, γονείς, φίλους, συντρόφους- για να μοιραστούμε την κόπωση, για να αλληλοϋποστηριχθούμε, για να εμψυχώσουμε ο ένας τον άλλον, για να κινούμαστε απλώς στο ίδιο μονοπάτι και να βλέπουμε τον ίδιο ουρανό. Είναι αυτοί που συμβολίζουν το σπίτι μας, τη σιγουριά, τη σταθερότητα.

Κάθε διαδρομή έχει κι ένα τέλος. Ενίοτε οδηγεί σε ένα ανθισμένο λιβάδι με πολλά χρώματα, με μοσχοβολιστά λουλούδια, με μελωδικά πουλιά. Άλλες φορές οδηγεί σε μια πετρώδη κορυφή με όμορφη θέα ώστε να αξιολογούμε τι καταφέραμε από την αρχή της διαδρομής. Όσες φορές η διαδρομή οδηγήσει σε αδιέξοδο, τότε δεν έφτασε στο τέλος της. Υπάρχουν κι άλλα μονοπάτια που περιμένουν να τα ανακαλύψουμε.