Around four Saturdays ago, my family and I were celebrating Holi with some close friends in their backyard. A fiesta of color, Holi is an Indian festival that represents the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. How ironic, I thought as I sat down with my cup of masala chai this morning.
In just about a month, the most social of all animals, i.e. Man, has been forced to change (almost) every aspect of his behavior and lifestyle – And arguably, the longest 30 days at a global level that mankind has experienced in decades.
The last one month has produced unceasing wall-to-wall, around-the-globe, 24×7 news of COVID-19. Just as we start to think we know more about the virus, new data and insights emerge (that make us feel like we went ten steps back).
As a neurologist in Houston said to me the other day, news that is even just two weeks old is outdated. If what has happened in the last few weeks around the globe is any indication, we will continue to fly by the seat of our pants for the next few weeks and months.
In all the chaos, uncertainty and widespread paranoia, it is impressive how humanity has rallied together and risen to the occasion. It is great to see technology in action and the widespread innovation everywhere to help fight the war against the virus.
The headlines scream about how bad it is getting each day. But if you scour the World Wide Web and media outlets, there are equal number or more stories of goodness, bravery, charity, innovation, creativity, resourcefulness and communities coming together to help.
Engineers making DIY face shields to help doctors, a company designing a new ventilator in just 10 days, Teachers parading through streets to greet their students, and cities singing in unison from balconies and windows are just a few examples.
The Earth and its atmosphere seem to be thankful too as it seems to be getting a much needed break! The Marine drive in Mumbai has peacocks dancing on the streets!!
There is little doubt that we will be living in a new normal once this has all passed. However, the silver lining will soon start to surface if it hasn’t already and humanity will prevail.
As the age-old proverb goes:
“Just when the caterpillar thought its world was over, it became a butterfly.”
The hardest times command our deepest gratitude.
Stay positive, stay healthy, keep creating, and try to do at least one good karma every day!