2020, I can never forget you! From March 2020, it felt as though everything in my life had become unreal - more like sequences on reel than real life, a sort of question mark looming ahead and my constant worries related to safety. Like many of you, I too had my share of situations that made it extremely painful to navigate. During the first few months, I felt as though I was walking on an inner fire that scorched and had the power to turn everything into ashes but it didn't.
[Image: Swapna Raghu Sanand]
But the toughest part - being helpless and losing loved ones.
Losing loved ones isn't easy.
To stand back and watch friends and family members who lost their loved ones and could not even travel to complete the last rites - it is way too painful for words.
I prayed for their resilience continuously because helplessness is what I felt too.
When SPB passed away, I cried for days - the loss felt so personal. It was not something that went away easily. Like a flower's long enduring fragrance, SPB's music wafted into my consciousness and I found tears flowing, it was unstoppable.
But words have power.
Sharing this from an article in LifePositive magazine by Megha Bajaj: "We hold our challenges too close to our hearts, blacking the positivity, and allowing negativity to define our lives in so many ways. It is not just enough to just think positively - it is also important to deepen the good, own it, celebrate it and cherish it; you will understand and believe that life is beautiful."
What has 2020 taught me?
Let me share other lessons that came my way this year.
The importance of Namasmarana
Sage Valmiki's transformation is a well known example of the power of Namasmarana.
Now I know why.
In life, our so social status, family or network connections, our sense of called knowledge, domain expertise, skills and achievements can totally fail to come to our rescue.
But divine grace transcends all these components.
2020 is a year that proved it.
Whenever I felt stuck in despair, I kept chanting my Guru's name as though it were the lifeboat that would stop me from drowning.
Has it worked? That I am penning this last blog post of the year with an optimistic peg should convey something to you, dear reader.
Swami's name alone kept me afloat.
So the first lesson I learned is that when you are helpless,
don't give up on yourself and
don't expect others to come and offer their time, energy or help.
Just take refuge in the name of the Divine One who brings you solace.
Feel the divine presence, energy and strength within.
Your power is always within.
Cherish your Life's greatest blessing - FAMILY
The coronavirus pandemic taught me to cherish my life's blessing - my family.
For so many years, we had been trapped in the 'Maya' of hectic schedules.
This year, we - as a family - navigated the ups and downs of the pandemic together. It made us feel that we belong perfectly in the divine play that had cast us.
In a first, my son rediscovered his love for singing and started his own YouTube channel - an artistic endeavour that brings us tremendous joy and a deep sense of fulfilment because we had time and energy to support and encourage what brings him more joy and meaning.
We watched mornings and sunsets together, helped each other with every little task and supported one another when it mattered most.
We prayed together, read stories together, watched movies together - could I ask for anything more precious than this time with my son?
The outcomes of a productive work schedule can never match the sense of joy and belonging that these precious moments with family.
This drills in a valuable truth - Family ALWAYS comes first.
Life's a Divine Play
Everything is a divine play. The situations around us are never in our control.
The best we can do is to do our role to the best of our ability.
Remember, it is tricky because we don't always get to control the narrative of others or the script itself.
A divine director is in charge but what is in your control and free will is to do your role to make it outstanding.
Reflect on these inspirational words of Sri Dada Vaswani,
"Every morning, as you sit in silence, close your eyes and imagine the Life of God coursing through your body, filling it through and through.
The Life of God is in us already; we have to be conscious of it."
When in doubt, HELP OTHERS, DO SEVA
2020 is an unforgettable year for me in many ways. [READ: Bye bye 2019]
While the pandemic created havoc worldwide, this year is synonymous with Seva.
Helping others without any expectation is perhaps the most beautiful offering to one self and the best way to purify one's thoughts and actions.
As the words of Mirra Alfasa read:
"Like a flame that burns in silence,
like a perfume that rises straight upward without wavering, my love goes into Thee;
and like the child who does not reason and has no care,
I trust Myself to Thee that Thy Will be done, that Thy Light may manifest, Thy Peace radiate, Thy Love cover the World."
When the clock strikes midnight on Dec 31st, send out a prayer for the well being of the world and a raise a cheery affirmation to yourself.
Celebrate your triumph because it's been the toughest year.
Dear reader, THANK YOU for your support during these tough times.
So now that's all from me for this year. I wish you a blessed and joyous 2021.
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