By：Alice Cheng
Within the first week of 2022, the new variant Omicron has caused an average of more than one million new confirmed cases per day in the world. Omicron has hit hard on our social life, economy, and our mental health. Omicron is beyond our control but we can seek sharp changes under adversity, like the metamorphosis of a butterfly!
Stay Calm
It’s natural to feel anxious during the pandemic. Here are some suggestions to relieve our pressure:
- Be selective when you read the information about the pandemic.
- Don’t get stuck in a dead end.
- Be flexible and gentle in dealing with people and things.
- Go outside for some fresh air and enjoy the nature.
- Find ways to relieve your anxiety.
- Don’t over-promise and undertake, lest you will be overloaded.
- Seek professional counseling if needed.
Enjoy Simplicity
Have you noticed that you have accumulated too many unnecessary items at home since you have not been shopping much during the pandemic? Actually, what we really need is a cozy home, a healthy body, a substantiating job, a time to relax, a small collection of comfortable clothes, and a good listener to keep you company. You can choose to enjoy a life of simplicity or get trapped in the ‘materialistic cage’ under the pandemic.
A Life of Balance
Overtime work, materials, and entertainment are very typical in urban living. High speed, efficiency and utilitarianism have become our core values. People have become superficial in their ways of thinking and living. This pandemic is teaching people to stop, to slow down, to adapt to a life of deceleration and reduction, and to have patience and moderation. Also, why don’t you take the opportunity to rearrange your schedule and home, and cultivate a balanced life? Take time to have quality meals and gatherings with your family. Cultivate leisure and warm-hearted activities, such as: walking, doing sports, hiking, planting, making crafts, reading, watching movies, singing, playing musical instruments, photography, cooking, decorating, repairing, learning, raising pets, and volunteering.
Seeking Faith, Hope, and Love
This pandemic has truly brought the world lots of uncertainties, and threats to our livelihood and wealth. Infection prevention procedures, isolation, and lockdown have become our new normal. However as we reflect on what we have learned from the pandemic so far, we have to reconsider the meaning of the reality of life, healthy living, and lasting wealth. Only the Creator can tell us the ultimate answer and its source. He is our loving Father and Lord of souls. Trust God. Let faith be the cornerstone, love be the wings, and hope be the beacon of your soul.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
“ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Romans 15:4)
This author has been a prominent writer, speaker, and life counselor