7 Presents COVID-19 Gave To Us

2020 has definitely been a tough year for everyone all over the world. However, we must know that staying negative about the situation will only make us stay in the now. 2021 will soon arrive and we must go on. Thinking positively will definitely help us stay hopeful for the future. So, here are a few benefits COVID-19 gave to us.

1. A sudden growth in time

“I don’t have enough time!” Everyone is given a chance to live the same amount of time. However, it is how you spend your time that differentiates everyone’s quality of life. When COVID-19 struck, many of us needed to work and learn virtually. Therefore, travel time was cancelled out, giving us even more time than we had before.

Since everyone’s definition of success is different, we can all use this extra time to do things that align with our goals, values and vision. Use this time to transform yourself into a totally different you, to a better you. This time could also be used to tick things off your bucket list, read, meditate and anything you can think of.

While we are thinking about how our lives have been affected we should also lift our head and take a look at other people. Look through their faces and study them. Try to see through their troubles and reach out to help them to the best of your ability. You may even be able to start a campaign to reach more people across the globe, internationally.

Even though you are physically limited in your house, don’t limit yourself in your ability. Try to impact and bring value to others’ life, as this will also inspire others and make you feel valued and needed.

2. Given us a challenge and a new experience

Our life will never be a straight road, instead, it is a series of mountains, like a durian. Mountains, because after you’ve climbed the first mountain, you will encounter another mountain on top of the one you are on. For example, once you master Algebra 1 you will be challenged with Algebra 2.

Life is also like a durian, that will turn into a pineapple, then orange, raspberry and watermelon. Durian has spikes that will prick you. As you go through life, you mould it to become even smoother and smoother. Without all the challenges that try to block you, you will never improve and grow. As you would always be doing the things you are comfortable at, and won’t learn anything new.

I am thankful for all the challenges life has brought me. Though they have made tears trickle down my face, I am grateful they have been planned to happen in my life. COVID-19 definitely created challenges for all of us. Everyone learned something new, from how to use technology, a productive routine, to mindful practices. Especially with the created time, we can use it to discover new things and improve.

Personally, on top of the work I have to do daily, I have also joined online classes and found resources to improve my life in many possible ways. From healthy cooking, eating, exercise and academia. Once the pandemic is over, I will walk out with my head held high and feel good about myself as I have transformed into a better me.

3. More grateful for community, family, friends, colleagues and other relationships

As the pandemic continues, we have tried to practice social distancing in many ways. This has minimised the time we have spent with other people who are very important to us. Although we appreciate each others’ presence, we sometimes need to lose to know their value and importance.

I haven’t seen my friends and teachers for an extremely long time. It is only now that I feel an emptiness in my heart. My great-great-grandmother passed away, but I am thankful that I was given the chance to meet and know her just before the pandemic. I will miss her deeply and she will always be in my heart.

4. Gave shy people a chance to discover

I am a rather shy person. During the lockdown, I had many classes, interviews and meetings via an online meeting platform. It enabled me to lift the scary label off these activities, to find out all my worries were for nothing.

Now, I have decided to join and participate more onsite.

5. Unemploy people

You may be wondering, why is unemploying people a good thing? Well, I don’t mean unemploy people directly. On the other hand, I think that if you are unemployed, you are employed. Even though you have left your job, there are abundant opportunities on the internet and will definitely allow you to try something new.

If you have never enjoyed your job but have only given yourself excuse after excuse to stay, this could be the time you embark on your new journey and career.

6. Help practice self-discipline

While we’re at home in lockdown, we are in reach to all the “gadgets and gizmos” we own. Since our work and study sessions are also at home, we need to increase our self-discipline by placing distractions away from sight.

7. Increase resilience and persistence

The number of COVID-19 cases has raised and fallen numerous times in countless countries. Therefore, everyone in the community had to persist, be resilient and trust all health officials that through their guidance, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Persistence and resilience are vital for success, as all successful people tell you the number of times they have failed throughout their career. If they weren't resilient, they wouldn’t have recovered from their failure and climbed back up to give it another shot.

Positive thinking will bring faith to our future. Together, we can do it!

This story was originally posted on Medium