Emotions trip - Stop 2 (FEAR)

2^nd stop on the emotions trip, Fear. Just some thoughts weaved together on that . Hope they help

What is there to be afraid of? I have always been baffled by that question. In my opinion the key fear is the fear of unknown. So, when you know what is out there to be afraid of then you can plan to overcome it. And so, Fear is when you do not know what is there.

Unfortunately, the present days have given us an unknown enemy. And, this unknown enemy with the unknown ways it manifests, and hunts has added the 2nd layer of unknown on how to handle it. And being humans, the creatures of logic and emotions at the same time we at mass level have decided to stay away from it till our kind succeeds to find a way to tackle. And that adds the third layer of unknown, the impact on economy. The impact on our very way of living. And also another, when will I be together with my distant family, for those who live away, that leads to a superlative unknown fear; will I ever be able to? And that can be too scary to fathom.

So, the problem statement is very clear but what about the solution. So Let me start with a cliché (one of the most used statement from an Indian blockbuster from the seventies) जो डर गया समझो मर गया (Jo darr Gaya samjho mar gaya) - "The one who surrenders to fear ceases to live."

And We Cannot cease to live so We Must not surrender to the fear. 

So, what can we do? is a big question. And below is my attempt to answer that. 

Change the Vocabulary; I have heard people around me (and sometime myself too) say that we are confined to home. Confinement is forced: but this is voluntary; Let us refrain from use of such vocabulary. Remember we all are staying at home to prepare against the enemy that lurks in unknown ways. And we can do that by increasing our immunity, both physical and mental.

Find areas of self-improvement; be it a habit that you need to break or a habit that you need to develop. Weight that needs chiseling down or pounds that needs to be gained. A chronic discomfort that needs to be overcome. This is the time to do that. And everyone can do that in-spite of the office work that you have. I am sure each one of us used to spend a few hours in commute to office every day, and that time can be invested in improving the self. That can strengthen the Physical self. That can help build physical immunity against the alien bodies like virus. Smoking, gluttony, alcoholism, habitual drugs all those can be overcome when you are committed. Now that you are away from external distractions which you have many times blamed for those habits.

Adopt a spiritual habit; some of my friends are observing fasts (As this is Muslim holy month of Ramadan). That is a good thing as that can help both physical and spiritual side of health . But for others also; praying or meditating a few minutes a day, observing occasional fasting and trying to connect with spiritual self should be easier as there are lesser distractions (no commute, no long grocery lines etc.)

Develop gratitude for what is. In this age of information when everything is available at your fingertips (OR just by thumb gestures on your smart phones) remember that is a blessing. Just think of a pre -cellphone and even pre computer era and think if those were the times, how difficult it could have been to exercise basic safety. Gratitude build strength and weakens fear. I guarantee that it does.

Don’t be afraid of possible Job -loss: If you are afraid of losing your job; DO NOT! Your fear is not going to improve the outcome (it may worsen it). Remember to give your best to what you have on work front for today, and every day. Think of how your work can help your organization and your coworkers. See if you can help someone save another day at work. Every effort will count, as all of us are in this together. Prepare for next day and then next. Remind yourself of your strengths at work and do not let your lack of strengths be a reason for losing a job. Everything else is external and will take care of itself when the situation improves.

All these when done well will be your armor when you step out after the lockdown is lifted. The virus will be out there, but you will be ready to protect yourself from it and in rare case you fail at that; you will have a body strong to fight it and throw it out of your system with no damage. And if we all do it all of us and our families local and remote will stay strong and normalcy will eventually restore.

Overcome the fear by doing what you can and building your strength. By gaining sufficient knowledge and following the scientific community advises. By not being afraid but being careful. And by being hopeful always.

I will end this with another cliched line in hindi (Dar ke aage jeet hai)  डर के आगे जीत है 

 - Beyond fear lies the Victory!! And  (Fighter hamesha jet ta hai ) फाइटर हमेशा जीतता है;  Fighter always wins...

PS: Just realized both the hindi lines I used in this post are connected not just in topic but also by something else, much deeper than words and meanings- So friends if you know what is the connection do post in comments.. Let this be our little game 😊