Under One Roof

I am pretty certain that many have been actively blogging over the past week since the "Stay Home, Save Lives" global movement. COVID 19 has brought the world we know to a standstill. As humans struggle to fight, medicate and survive this pandemic, it has given earth a chance to breathe again. I am not about to go down the "Nat Geo" path of docu-blogging. Far from it. I have had the chance to observe myself in this lockdown.

I am not surprised that I feel at home being confined to home. The introvert side of me is darn happy. I am contented to have all my kids all around me, working from home. Of course I am observing members of my family under the same roof with me and how they are coping with this newly imposed movement control. My elder daughter and her husband seem to find working from home with little to no big change. Such is life in the digital age where technology allows work to get done and delivered in the most limitless way. 

Having to shut down the counseling clinic during this duration is pretty hard to me as I find going to work and seeing clients as an escape from the challenges I face being mom's sole caregiver. On the plus side, I do have my daughters to help me with caring for her so I can afford some ME time in the sanctuary of my bedroom. 

I believe we don't need religion to be spiritual; and it is through our spirit that we connect with our Maker. Allah has allowed COVID 19 to happen to PAUSE the noise of life and living. What crosses my mind right now is how grateful I am for the WIFI at home so I am able to make this entry. 

As earth heals safely away from the unrelentingly inconsiderate hands of humans and development, I feel a spiritual renewal happening within me. I believe Allah is giving us a chance to get it right this time around by pushing the RESET button. Time for us to really ponder upon what truly matters to us.

So I have taken this opportunity to set my home in order by clearing and decluttering. Throwing out what no longer has purpose or value and organising my treasures in ways that are pleasing to my eyes and calming for my soul. I have felt this peace of mind once before. It was when I was in Mecca in July 2007. However, I failed to make it last after I returned to Malaysia. I admit I got distracted by my surroundings. Something I believe will happen once all this home quarantine is over. People will get distracted again. And again. And again.

Maybe mindfulness is easier to be achieved by someone who has retired from work and have their children all grown up. But maybe if we believe it is something important enough for us to master, we will be able to be actively conscious of what we are thinking, feeling and doing; not only to others but most importantly to ourselves. 

This may mark the end of the world we knew and the beginning of a new one. But if we don't start thinking about the consequences of our choices and actions, we will grow old in despair instead of with dignity. 

Take this time to think about what kind of a world we want our children to live in and start creating it now. May Allah continue to be gentle on us all, insya Allah.

We Are A Family Living Under One Roof.