My Silver Linings During These Difficult Times

Thank you, Dipti Pande for tagging me and Sherry McGuinn for starting this lovely writing prompt.

A delve into self.

Exactly around the same time a month ago I had written on how hope is the silver lining we have now. That was for us collectively.

Today’s prompt made me think about what is it that I am truly grateful for, what indeed are my silver linings during these difficult times.

Let me be honest with you, the last few days I could hardly notice the sky, let alone silver linings. With things looking bleak everywhere, it is difficult to keep fear and worry at bay. I have also been down with a cold and cough, therefore my grumpiest and gloomiest best though fervently trying to come out of it, using various means to cheer myself up.

This morning however as I was reading all these lovely posts by Dipti, Sherry, Gurpreet, Amy, Holly, Kevin, it suddenly struck me, to simply be thankful and cut out all the drama my mind was creating.

The sense of gratitude and life itself is my first silver lining.

If I let my mind wander, it would no doubt pick only on all the dire things — the rising number of deaths due to COVID19 with no solution in sight, increase in violence and division amongst people, increase in joblessness, the economy, negative press, worrying about my family and friends, feeling guilty that I am not helpful in any which way during these times — giving instructions to please wash your hands and look after yourself over the phone sounds pretty lame to me when they are out there buying groceries, walking the dog, doing all sorts of errands on their own, by their own. Just thinking about it makes me cringe helplessly.

The list of grey and helplessness created by this pandemic is endless.

Each one of us will see different silver linings when we seek to look, trying to make the best of what and where we are. Kudos to the optimistic nature of humankind. That is a silver lining in itself.

Thanks to this writing prompt, I am seeking to look into some of the silver linings that exist in my life.

Like Professor Dumbledore says —

“one can find light in the darkest of times, if only we remember to turn on the light”

So yes, first and foremost, life itself is my biggest silver lining.

Family and Friends — The knowledge that my family and friends are doing ok, I have grandmothers who are 85+ years old. I am grateful that they are all fine and taking the required precautions.

While I am away from my parents and family, I am with my husband and an adorable dog who cheers me up by following me everywhere I go and wants to cuddle all the time. I am grateful to feel loved and cared for. They are my biggest silver linings.

Exactly a week ago my cousin gave birth to a baby boy. Amid all the fears, stress and prayers, to see the baby boy’s smile and yawn was a big silver lining. It brought tears to our eyes, a reminder that something so pure and beautiful exists in this grey world.

Technology’s use at its best. Last week I saw my uncle online whom I haven’t met in 4 years. It was a joy so exquisite not only for me but for everyone in my family. Social distancing has brought us even more closer via social media and technology.

All my friends and knowing that they are all safe is my silver lining. I feel a huge sense of belonging with everyone, and the lockdown has only brought us all closer. Each of them is so talented and creative, we cherish each other’s talents and learn from each other.

Creativity everywhere is blossoming — anywhere you see people are trying new innovative ways to keep themselves entertained and safe. So many new ideas are coming out. The human mind and its ability to come up with new ideas combined with people’s passion is a silver lining.

Safe Space & Self — When I read that people, especially women and children are not safe in their own houses, my heart goes out to them. But that also reminds me of my privilege, and that it is a silver lining.

It is also a blessing indeed to focus my mind on work when everything around looks so bleak.

When I feel helpless wanting to do something to make this whole situation better, I am grateful I can help people in a small way by relieving them of some of their stress by leading online breathing and meditations. Doing something, albeit small anchors me and brings relief to my helplessness, and this is a big silver lining.

Also, the reminder that life is indeed short has been a huge instigator for me to ferociously work, learn and speak on things that matter to me and my family, things I have always wanted to do “someday”. It has been some sort of a course correction from my earlier somewhat slumber living. The realization that life is how we choose to live is a silver lining.

Nature is our biggest silver lining and our refuge. The little birds that chirp, the blue that fills the sky, the sun that rises like clockwork, the colorful flowers, the zillion stars that fill the night sky, the effervescent moon.

They are all reminders of positivity and all the good that exists in the world. I am glad that animals feel safe to come out now, and I hope we are kinder and considerate of them when we go out again.

I am grateful for all the colorful messages on the pathway when I take my dog out on a walk. All the good news across the globe. They are filled with positivity, showing me that we are all in this together, and we will come out stronger and hopefully wiser and care for our environment and each other more.

I am also grateful for my neighbor who sends me pictures of her little puppy. Thank you for bringing a smile on my face.

People everywhere are doing their bit to be kind, lending a helping hand or feel an urgent need to help out somehow. Humanity has, for the most part, come together in combating the situation, and that is a major silver lining.

I have to say my other major silver lining has been to connect with all you lovely people on this platform. It’s like meeting friends from across the globe without stepping out. Thank you, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, for creating Illumination. May we keep illuminating.

Writing has been something I always do, just not on a public platform. I started writing on Medium in December, and my writing has increased during the lockdown. And I am so grateful at having uncovered this passion of mine. I did not know how things worked on medium, so to be able to learn new things has been a blessing to occupy my mind on.

The present moment — we are all simply trying to get through each day, no vacations to plan for, no outings or events to look forward to. Our aims are small and simple. To get through the day as best as possible. Maybe this nudge was what was needed to live fully in the present moment. The living in the now indeed is a silver lining.

The speed with which COVID-19 has spread has shown us that it doesn’t take too long for things to get worse. It is a major lesson in showing us that we need to proactively address some of the other universal challenges (like animal extinction and climate change) we are facing. An opportunity to get better, be better lies ahead of us. And that is a silver lining.

“Tomorrow you promise yourself will be different, yet tomorrow is too often a repetition of today.” ― James T. Mccay

If you enjoyed this, do read some of my other work.

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