Changing Perspective

Meliza M. Batac

This resonates most times ,”we cannot change the people around us or what is happening, but we can always do with our attitude.”When the lockdown happened and the community was said to undergo ECQ it was the most horrendous time for us.

I enjoy my own company but I am also fond of having people around, and the usual things that I do before. Stay in school to finish a pile of paper works, run errands, meet up with friends, a visit at my favorite hang out - a store for pre loved books and magazines, a once in a blue moon movie date, and the much anticipated family stroll. In short, the sense of normalcy I have always known suddenly vanished.

I was panic stricken and I had episodes of sleepless nights, and felt that the walls and roof are closing down on me. I told my self, I am better than this and I do not want to be swallowed up by these pessimist and cynical outlook.

For a while, I did not browse my social media account, refrained from watching sad chick flicks and changed television channels opted for those with shows that could uplift my soul. Then I realized, I suddenly had more time at home despite finishing final reports, accomplishing and collating stuff for my annual portfolio,deliberation of grades etc.

Since we cannot get out of our nook, it has been weeks that we order food from sellers on line and even downloaded an app for food delivery. I saw an opportune streak, so why not be productive and make my home cooking known to others.

The kitchen had always been my sanctuary, a bonding area for me and my family.Cooking was something therapeutic for me and whenever I discover a new recipe that I serve t to my husband and my kids there is a jolt of excitement and joy within me.

My stove and oven had been collecting dust and its time for a major clean up. And it was like a light bulb moment for me; a plan was hatched immediately.

I pulled out mixing bowls, ladle and raided the kitchen cupboard, cabinets for supplies and available ingredients then the rest is history.

To my surprise, I now have a small online business and had a new preoccupation that adds up to my passive income. And am grateful for the day I rummaged through the kitchen and rid my mind off the stuff that bothers me.

The mind can be the devil’s workshop where he could manipulate my thoughts, however, my faith in the Almighty and the choice to be proactive were my weapons to stay optimistic despite this crisis.

The realization that I am not the only one who is going through tough times and that there are people who remain hopeful twixt their own personal fist fight with the effects of the pandemic made more sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate and be more appreciative of the things I have as well as the downpour of blessings from above.

Hope is bleak at this point in time but it is our call to carry on, lift each other and leave no soul behind. An intense cataclysm for humanity that could be turned inside out, a dark cloud but has silver lining,a pause to evaluate our lives, to be kinder to each other and to catch up and see the most important things in life.

To start dreaming again, to renew our trust in the Divine, to finally have a good laugh with our family, rekindle those hobbies and pursuit the things we have been passionate about, to get physically active, to read those books that have been bought a long time, to learn a new skill, to reconnect with friends even online not just “likes”, to reach out to others, to e participate in civic affairs, and to slow down. These are the things we take for granted when life was still normal.

But now, we have time for all of them and feel alive again - that is want to.

It would take a few months or years, we do not know. Although things does not make sense any more, let us take a moment to rewire our thinking.Everything is uncertain but this too shall pass.

So long as we are healthy, our family is complete, we have still something to eat, and a home where we could be safe, and opportunities despite all that is happening now ,life is still worthwhile.The infinite sky is proof that the omnipotent One is with us and has better plans for us.

The author is SHS Teacher

--oOo-

if we ought to,

III at Angeles City Senior High School