The world is slowly starting to emerge from the quarantine and self isolation imposed by the COVID 19 pandemic. The last several months have created upheaval for most with workplace restructuring for all, job loss for some, financial challenges for most, relationship stresses for many and fear for a large number of people. As we reorient to a new world reality, we all need to determine where our focus should be.
This is crucially important because the pandemic has not just been about COVID 19. It has more to do with how we were living in disharmony both with ourselves and the world around us. This is because we were living unsustainably in many ways, which include polluting and destroying the natural environment, widening the gap between the rich and the poor leading to the exploitation of multi-millions through slave labour and human trafficking, not providing for the basic needs for more than one billion people, ignoring racial discrimination, allowing an outdated education system to teach our children and accepting the mandates of corrupt world governments and corporations.
On an individual level as well, many people were living with unhappiness and chronic stress, in dysfunctional relationships, working in jobs they hate and with unhealthy and toxic lifestyles. Aside from the deaths that have resulted, which are obviously tragic, the pandemic has come as a saviour by creating a great global pause, which has forced us to look at how we were living our lives and where we had gotten off track.
This is why it is vitally important that, as we emerge from quarantine and go back to a new normal, you must consciously choose where your focus should lie instead of letting society do it for you. This will be different for each person but must scrutinized in order to put the lessons from the pandemic into practice.
During the Great Pause, as it is now being called, perhaps you learned that your health was suffering. Maybe you were not giving enough attention to your most important personal relationships such as those with your spouse or children. Perhaps you were working in a job that you hated that you have lost or been laid off from or are still in but are now working from home so have more time to think about it. Maybe your finances have been on shaky ground or you are in debt that need to be addressed.
Whatever is the most pertinent issue that came to your attention during your time of quarantine is where you should be putting your focus. You must do this if you are to elevate the quality of your life. The way to do this is to look at all the areas of your life including your health, your relationships, your career, your finances, your leisure time, your spirituality, your personal priorities and what you want to contribute to the world. Determine which area needs your most attention which will give your the greatest leverage and impact to improve the quality of your life.
Once you have determined what this is, then make a list of all the things you can do to work on this area of your life. Out of your list, pick the one thing that you can start doing today and make it a priority. Schedule it into your day and don’t delay in taking action on it. This is the path to honing your focus and bringing your life into alignment with your highest values and calling or mission in the world.
Those who learn this lesson and act on it will flourish while those who fail to do this will continue to live in disharmony, dysfunction and out of alignment with their true nature. The choice is yours and has never been more clear than it is now. Do not miss the chance that COVID 19 has given you in this unprecedented time in human history. To your success!
Nauman Naeem MD