Through My Eyes

In 1902, the sociologist Charles Horton Cooley wrote: “I am not what I think I am, and I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.”

When the coronavirus pandemic began, we were figuring out how to stay safe, how to stay home and how this was going to affect our lives in the long run.

Now that we have better answers to many of these questions, new ones have surfaced. How can I stay sane while interacting with others? How can I prevent myself from loosing my marbles when I am forced to interact with such mediocrity?

Simply, how can I live in this new normal?

‘Self care’ is a term popping up where ever I turn. More and more people are turning their backs on fake friendships and unstable relationships in pursuit of mental stability.

The truth is that the return to normalcy won’t happen anytime soon. And maybe that’s ok, who wants to live in the past, if there is something that this pandemic brought, its clarity, because as most of us have stared death in the face, we can truly say we know what it takes to ‘overcome’.

Which brings me to a point, I recently came across a book, which I am studying at the moment, it’s written by Jay Shetty and its title is ‘Think like a monk – train your mind for peace and purpose every day’.

Shetty is right on point talking about our identity, which is wrapped up in what others think of us—or, more accurately, what we think others think of us.

He reminds me about something fundamental; values, he says that without values we’re swept away by destruction. Shetty assures his readers that once we identify our values we are able to determine how to move away from things which weigh us down.

He also reminds us to value silence. Silence, he says can teach us what words can’t. “It’s not the silence you force yourself in instead it’s the silence which you fall in unknowingly.”

Sometimes life shows you such unbelievable sites that your whole belief system is thrown into a tremulous loop. You begin to question what the real meaning of it all is.

A question of your sanity also arises in your mind. You can reason all you want but in reality your life is changing and when the changes seem too drastic your brain stops functioning. That’s the silence, which teaches you the most. In that silence a little voice that wants you to gather up and see what is next, is the lesson this whole universe is trying to teach.

Just believe in the process and let it all fall in place. Do remember changes are part of the process and that place things need to fall in, will also change from time to time.

It’s a long ride, don’t loose yourself while finding the answers. I send you light and warmth on your journey whoever you are. May you find your happiness.

Humans deal with the hardships of the present by looking to the future and planning for a better, happier tomorrow. With Christmas around the corner, we can all strive to be more cheerful, less spiteful and a lot more generous.