“Life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing.” ―Denis Waitley
Today marks the beginning of CMCO ( conditional movement control order) for most parts of Malaysia, I just couldn’t believe this Covid-19 pandemic has been raging on for more than 9 months. It is disheartening to see this virus has taken so many lives and separating countless family members.
Unemployment rates are historically high in so many countries. People are losing their jobs, families are breaking up, homes are up for foreclosure. We are living in a very difficult and challenging time.
I learn some lessons from this pandemic. Looking at how I went through the pandemic for the last 9 months, I started to appreciate life and health more than ever.
#1 Don’t take health for granted
Burning out is the monolithic problem within the medical fraternity. We give advice to patients and help them to regain health but often forgetting our own.
I have seen good friends dying from cancer and heart attack. Doctors alleviate the pain and suffering of patients but often neglect their own well being.
All of us go through the period of aging, sickness, and eventually death. Being young doesn’t give you the privilege of being healthy. Take care of your own health because you couldn’t get it back once it is lost no matter how much money you have in your bank.
#2 Prepare for rainy days
Make hay while the sun shines. Have an emergency fund and prepare for the worst-case scenario in life. Life is unpredictable, live below your mean, and have a backup emergency fund to cover your lifestyle for at least 6 months.
Stop living paycheck to paycheck. Differentiate ‘want’ from ‘need’, stop buying stuff that gives you temporary euphoria/excitement but ends you up into financial slavery.
Save up a war chest that protects you from emergencies in life. These funds also serve as opportunity funds for you to invest for a better future.
#3 Value family bond
Working as a doctor makes me helpless to strike a balance between family and work. This pandemic finally gives me an overdue break in life. My soul-destroying struggle for years in private practice finally takes a break. I finally realize where my wound is. I lick my wound, brush away my burden, and stand up again to think about the value of family and life again.
I manage to quell the chaos of life during this pandemic period and spend more time with my family again. My bond with my sons has never been so close. My position in my job is dispensable anytime but my role in the family is unreplaceable.
Time is limited! A good day spent with your loved ones is the most beautiful moment in life. My two sons finally see their father more often at home than the dog again!
# 4 Appreciate loneliness in life
“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” — Michel de Montaigne
I used to believe the worst thing in life is being alone. It is not. This pandemic has given me the chance to be alone to reflect on myself. I started to appreciate, experience, and love myself more again.
Sometimes, you just need to take a break from everyone else and spend time alone to rethink again what you want to do in life.
This Covid-19 pandemic has given us more time to be alone to reflect on ourselves. Appreciate loneliness in life. Sharpen your mind and rethink your purpose and passion again!
#5 Give if you can
“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Give if you can. If you are still doing alright at this moment, try to help those who are in need.
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Do your part in your community, help those who are affected by this pandemic in whatever way you can.
Give healthcare workers their PPE ( personal protective equipment), gloves, masks, give underprivileged families foods and clothes, buy from local and small businesses in your community or even give a smile /send a WhatsApp message to your loved ones. No one has ever become poor by giving. Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.
Conclusion
Every crisis takes us further into realizing our weaknesses, potentials, and purposes. Sometimes we might need to fall so that to stand up again. No matter how much you think this virus has belittled you, don’t give up. Rise up again and you will see a brighter future.
Staying alive beyond 2020 is good enough. This virus might shatter your belief, this nationwide lockdown might blur your focus but this pandemic should have given you more strength and reasons to be a better person.
I hope this crisis will be over very soon but only God knows what awaits us in the future. Be prepared because by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail!
