We started the year 2021 on hope, but then, it is hard to imagine any good news coming out of 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people globally. It has been an incredibly hard year for many people, including me. The only way through hard times is … well, plow through them, one step at a time. I don’t know about you, but that’s how 2021 felt to me.
The second wave in India was probably the darkest phase in our lives. But admist all the darkness, there was also a rising force in India, where everyone stepped up to help one another. The COVID warriors came together, built communities, helped people from arranging hospital beds at Gurudwaras, organizing oxygen on social media platforms and, setting up call centers to help people with real time information. People were pitching in to help and sometimes beyond their means. We had an oxygen cylinder delivered to a COVID affected family by the auto driver who did not charge us a penny. These stories of hope, courage and resilience kept us going. This year was a reminder that we are more connected than ever. The ripple effects of the pandemic and unequal distribution and accessibility of vaccines can be felt across the globe. It is imperative to work together to solve for some of these big challenges – and that’s only possible with collaborations across borders and sectors.
My personal world has never felt smaller than it did over the last twelve months. It’s been a strange and disorienting experience. I had many dark moments of self-doubt and anxiety. But it is ok to be selfish and focus on your own well-being first, and ignore all the noise and negativity around you. Hit a pause button, and rethink your priorities.
I am just grateful for the well-being of near and dear ones and want to hug them tight. Time is like sand and it can slip away without us realising it. I want to welcome 2022 with a sense of gratitude, thanking for all the small beautiful moments and cherish them forever. Nothing else matters.