“We may define future shock as the distress, both physical and psychological, that arises from an overload of human organism’s physical adoptive systems and its decision-making processes. Put simply, future shock is the human response to over-stimulation,” writes Alvin Toffler in his book ‘The Future Shock’ published exactly fifty years ago.
The ongoing Covid Pandemic has truly summarized and made us experience the fifty-year-old prediction. Humanity today is facing the worst ever disaster and grappling to find a way out with all its might. But there is always a silver lining in the dark cloud, always a narrow ray of light that cuts through the darkness to light up the pathway.
I feel the Pandemic has brought in a visible metamorphosis in my attitude and thought process, which helped me face the ongoing crises with grit and determination. I do feel a sense of satisfaction as there has been plenty of time for introspection and viewing oneself with objectivity. I have also experienced changes in people with whom I have been dealing with from years, noticed it in people in general.
- Strongly Resilient: After the initial hiccup and the fear psychosis, I understood that what we are facing is long term and thus changed myself, my mind set, my lifestyle to suit the what we have worded as “New Normal”. I started living only in the present, according to the need, and was clear that I needed to help myself first. The best thing that I could to myself was to never give up on myself.
- Adhere to Adaptability: All the survival instincts came to the fore front as I adapted myself thoroughly in various ways and aspects to survive the pandemic. I understood the real meaning of versatility in human nature and how quickly we change and adapt ourselves according to the need and the environment.
- Responsibilities and Resolutions: My overall area of influence grew tremendously towards family, friends and community in large. I resolved to connect more often with all those who matter to me, who have been part of my personal or professional life. To be there for people in time of need supporting and helping. I keep recollecting and connecting with the beautiful lines from the poem “Stepping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost …. I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep….
- Emotional and Physical Well-being: To keep myself most of the time in a positive frame of mind was a challenge, I tried hard to inhale positivity and exhale happiness and to a certain extent was successful. I had to keep myself emotionally very stable and not let the fear of the unknown pull me down. To channelize my energy into physical wellbeing was a good strategy as I had to maintain a high immunity level to resist the COVID. Taking care of my health and hygiene became an immediate and utmost priority. It was a wakeup call for me and I found time to self soothe myself.
- Relish and be Gratitude: I understood and was able to revive the beautiful feeling of relishing small pleasures, which we had forgotten in our everyday rat race earlier to Pandemic. Being grateful at every step has become a new normal. When I get up in the morning I cherish and feel gratitude for the moment … yes, I am able to see a new day. Relishing the concerns of family and friends, community at large, being grateful to people who have asked about my health has become a prime importance to me.
- Nurturing Patience and Tolerance: Living day and night cooped up indoors has not been an easy task for all. I had to put in that extra effort to curb the impatience and irritation, fretting and fuming and slide towards nurturing great patience. Letting others drain my energy and still feigning to smile and be tolerant is what I have learnt now. Hoping to continue doing so.
- Time utilization: It is said that time flies it does not wait for anybody but during Pandemic it seemed that time had stopped, needles of the clock were not moving. Everything was at a standstill. Facing this condition of the time drudgery and to avoid getting stuck in it, I adapted new ways and means to keep myself busy, to ensure that every second, every minute, every hour that I am surviving, I have something to do. The value of time was reinforced and reframed.
- Needs and Requirement: My wants and needs have depleted enormously. Earlier my hands used to itch to spend money, to buy unnecessary and irrelevant things. I was in a race and competition for more and more. Now when I introspect, I feel how much I have accumulated, do I really need the stuff of which three fourth is just junk. I can survive and be happy in just one fourth of it.
- Learning Curve: Lifetime of learning is not sufficient and does not suffice during crises. I had to be forward thinking learn new ways of communication, to keep myself resilient, emotionally and physically strong, imbibe at a deeper length the values of patience and tolerance, empathy and care, adaptability and responsibilities as well good practices from across the world. I think my learning curve has been at the peak during this time.
The Emperor, Mulan had said “The flower that blooms in the adversity is the Rarest and Beautiful of all.” Truly surviving the adversity, the present crises has made me feel so beautiful from inside.
Pratima Sinha
CEO DSR Educational Society
Hyderabad