NOSFO (No One Size Fits All)

We are all beings that are held together by our Chi or energy. We each vibrate at different frequencies. Our brains are constantly absorbing ambient energies whilst giving off our own.

Are we preprogrammed to act the way we do?

Our choices determine our future. Our past also helps process whatever we experience. However, being mindful in the present only makes sense when we are able to take the time to think before we express.

Doing the expected is mundane; the unexpected could be any number of things, ranging from the scary to refreshing. Either way, action is a given. Unless, of course, one doesn’t. Call it lethargy. Call it ambivalence or even procrastination. I’m all for it.

No interaction means no pain. No pain is comforting. Heck… it even borders on happiness. I’ll take asocialism any day.

It’s only words

“Thank you, Uncle”, said my niece to the door as we reluctantly got out of the cab on to the heat of the pavement. The cabbie “uncle”, I observed, had a happy grin on his face, hoping for at least 4 stars from my niece. She had called ‘shotgun’ before sitting next to him and shared the OTP; ‘uncle’ knew whom to please.

So why did my usually distant niece (she never speaks to strangers) behave so cordially? One, because as a client, she too gets rated. And two, society today enforces certain norms on individuals to gain virtually awarded points. It’s credit-rating of a social kind. There’s no emotion attached except for the gratification gained when the receiver checks their handheld or wearable and literally becomes starry-eyed.

My friend’s son always thanks the Swiggy boy when he delivers food at his doorstep. The twenty-something boy dips his head in a grateful bow. He knows he’s only doing his job. But the added gesture could get him added stars. I note there’s no accompanying smile. He’s of the same generation and knows the game.

A whole non-year

It’s scary. It’s challenging. But most of all, it’s anathema to us humans. Regardless, our collective dislike for being pushed into this helplessness doesn’t let us overcome the situation sensibly. The collective is still intent on trying to make a desperately hobbled economy stand on its head and spin like a top.

If there have been some lessons learnt, why aren’t they being utilised to push the cart and still work? Since the beginning of the lockdown, we have learned how to work (and study) long distance and stay safe. So why the rush in trying to get out of the house endangering more lives? Because, that is precisely what is happening. The numbers of Covid-19 cases have multiplied and fatalities have increased.

Stepping out, even for bare essentials, has become a big challenge now. Could this outcome have been better addressed by having stricter measures in place and keeping them stet for a longer period of time?

Maybe things have to get worse before they get any better. Here’s to hoping for safety, health and peace for everyone.