Remember in December 2019, we all were thinking the same thing; 2019 wasn’t my year, but 2020 sure as hell will be. Fast forward to March 2020, three months in and we are already losing our sanity.

Today, it is the first day of “Janta Curfew” where India will be at home from 7 am – 9 pm. I never thought it would be possible to see such a colorful, bustling, noisy India this quiet. The only sounds that are coming are from the birds. I can’t tell if they are singing or questioning in confusion. It’s so quiet that I can hear my thoughts, which is why I am writing a blog today in hopes to bring some comfort, love, support, and company.

No matter where you are in the world, there is a darkness that is hovering over us. It is hard to see hope and think positively. We are all in a dark tunnel that doesn’t seem to even shimmer a hint of light in. Every day, there is more bad news making it seem as if there is no limit. People are panicking and paranoid. We have started to think; What if this is the end? What if I am next? Does my sneeze/cough mean I am approaching the inevitable? What if I run out of food/water?

The media is circulating nothing but coronavirus news. The statistics keep going upwards with a stagnant increase in recovered humans. When you are surrounded by bad news, it’s hard not to suffocate yourself with it. However, on the bright side, people are slowly finding coping mechanisms/new ways of living and sharing it on social media. I’ve been sharing whatever compilation I can find to share with you guys on my Instagram, (ritukum96). Be it playing music, dancing, playing games, reading, cooking, or whatever, the list is truly endless. We are finding joy and spreading joy! We are working together to ensure no one feels alone.

And I’ll be honest, I don’t know if we will pull through this and make it out alive, but I can say that it is important that we create our own bit of happiness and sanity in this insane situation. Use this time to reflect, to realize, to change how you live your life. Understand how easy it is to lose it all and how your ability to live your privileged life can be stolen from you within days. Understand that your actions, do affect others, stay at home for yourself and others. Lastly, compassion and empathy towards yourself and others is the key to surviving this storm.

Indian Chameleon’s Obiter Dictum for the Day
Today be selfless. Today be the world’s silver lining.