Diwali in the time of Coronavirus

Happy Diwali to all Indians who are celebrating the country's beautiful festival of Lights. It's amazing when you look back at the year 2020 as it unfolded in an unprecedented way from March and took the world by storm. Who would have guessed that the pandemic would change the way we think, behave, interact with others? That it would change our lives in an unprecedented manner.

[Image: Pixabay]

We now live in a new era, where social distancing means that you cannot take selfies like before, hug your best friend or celebrate together or go on trips to any part of the country like before.

When we step out of our homes, we are dressed as though we are going to another planet. We wear masks now. Our smiles are hidden from the world and our eyes hold pain and fear as we step out into an unfamiliar world.

There is just so much fear in our movements when we touch objects with gloved hands and walk fearfully so that we do not unknowingly come into contact with any person or any object.

2020 taught me many precious lessons.

I learned the importance of my family more than ever before and the sacred space that it embodies.

In the months from March to May, I learned that it is way better for one's own peace of mind to learn to say 'No' to some 'friends' than to make sacrifices that they not only refuse to appreciate but they take you for granted and deceive you as well.

Helping a friend who is a habitual liar has never brought anyone any good.

The Mahabharata shows this repeatedly through the choices that Karna makes when he decides to team up with Duryodana.

Diwali marks the triumph of Light over Darkness.

May the diyas we burn outside our homes dispel darkness.

May Sathya and Dharma always triumph while the diya burns itself out.

I wish you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali. Stay super happy and blessed.

Tamosoma Jyotirgamaya.

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