How to live after a pandemic?

                                                                      written by Kajal Swarup

    It's halfway through the year and it feels like a lifetime, doesn’t it?

    Every time we think about things getting better well, some “things” we never imagined, pop up.

    But is it true?

    Did we not expect that the sinking humanity wouldn’t have to face the truth?

    Did we not know that to survive on this planet in peace all we need is humanity?

    Think about it like this –

    The wildfire, the news that stirred the world with prayers, hoping that the fires would subside.

    But did we do our part?

    Australia has a fire season, bush fires are common here, but the fire that spiraled out of control 

    and killed thousands of animals in 2020 was not just the result of yearly fire instead it’s the 

    product of earth’s changing climate aka global warming.

    Little did we know that somebody opened pandora’s box this year.

    As a notorious threat and series of deaths loom around the world hinting a potential world war.

    Silver birds falling from the sky and losing legends in the west while the swarms of locusts

    threatened the skies somewhere else.

    As floods took over some parts of the world, some drowned in realization amid fallen 

    kingdoms where guardians lacked mercy.

    As volcanos erupted in the east, riots for rights emerged in the west.

    And while we all spent sleepless nights wondering about tomorrow, the news flashes about 

    a pandemic locking down the entire world.

    But even the closed world couldn’t breathe for the ignorance of the past lead to an explosive 

    ruin of dreams.

    All that, and we’re still only halfway through!

    So, how do we learn to live now?

    We’ve seen so much, felt so much, could we ever go back to the normal?

    First, if the past was your normal, you better not want to live there.

    Because our normal lead the world to this day.

    Our past taught us to disobey our emotions and show neglect to what matters.

    This year has been harsh and it is going to fill a fair number of pages in history. But it’s also 

    taught us so much. It’s given us so much. How?

    Well, It taught us that when the situation surpasses the ideal conditions and things take a 

    devastating turn, as the wildfire, the whole world came together through prayers, donations, 

    and volunteering to help cope for the better.

    When protectors lost their path, we used our voices to show them that justice finds light even 

    through those who do not wear uniforms.

    Our teachers found new, innovative, and transformative ways to help knowledge reach their students.

    While the police stayed up and cautious, safeguarding the cities with sheer strength and 

    pure motive to spread awareness, provide help to the needy, and made sure that we all stayed 

    home safe and secure.

    We observed our nature heal, pollution levels decreasing and the ozone layer depletion that 

    started 50 years ago has now finally started to heal itself.

    We’ve known about the discriminations for years but this time we spoke out loud and 

    woke a revolution that is filled with hope and love for each other as we stand side by side 

    for black lives.

    And when it came to a pandemic, even that couldn’t stop us from showing love and appreciation 

    to the frontlines and people who are saving lives with no complaints.

    We made sure that our people were buried and bid farewell traditionally, even though we were

    running out of cemeteries.

    Away from the daily hustles, coercive stress, and pacing time we were gifted with this 

    stillness, a break that we all needed to catch up with our family and friends and gear up for 

    a hopeful tomorrow.

    As we transform the phrase ‘stuck at home’, by inculcating new skills, reflecting on our past 

    and building dreams for a whole new world.

    People all over the world singing and clapping in their balconies showing their respect for 

    the ones who live to save others, conveying- how much they value each other’s lives.          

    This year, we witnessed examples of unity like never before.

    The entire world sounded one.

    That is how we live.

    That is how we are supposed to live.

    Together, as One.

    Not waiting for normal, but carving a better definition for humanity.

    So, when history speaks about 2020, It will talk about the bad and the unforeseen.

    But let’s make it say how We Learnt to Live!

    Our world needs us. Each one of us.

    So, when the world opens up again and you step out,

    This time - Let’s do better!

written by Kajal Swarup