Here’s what I have learned in the past few days of quarantine….- It is as if the universe was sending us a message to slow down… so I slowed down- I slowed down to listen to my kids when they talked. I looked at them and answered. I slowed down and smiled at my dog when she wagged her tail. I slowed down and closed my eyes to savour the sound of my mother’s voice as we talked on the phone. But I especially slowed down when I prayed. Prayer time had always been, and now especially is, the most peaceful time of the day for me.
- I realized a few days into the quarantine that every day was becoming Saturday and Sunday for me, because those were the days when I was usually home from work. My default mode during the weekends was being lazy all day, a little reading and a lot of sitting around. Now, I have consciously and intentionally shifted to hybrid mode: work in the morning, TV and relaxing in the evening, exercise and movement in between the two. No stress but just a little structure to the day.
- Screens are inevitable but the screen time decreased as we followed the approximate structure of the day. And another rule came to see the day of light: 2 screens at one time were not allowed, which meant no phone while you watch TV and no phone when using laptop.
- Being home all day meant less physical activity, which meant less requirement for food. Its simple- move less, burn less, eat less. So I became intentional about what I ate and how much. However, I have always been very particular about breakfast and that didn’t change- eggs it is, as always!!
- I am still not doing the things I had promised myself I would, once I had time. I have a lot of time now but no intention to do the things I thought I wanted to. Maybe those things were never important- another lesson learned. Our culture is a culture of to-do lists and over achieving. Be intentional with the promises you make with yourself and know yourself to begin with.
- We always advocate kindness- well, let’s start at home. Be kind to your children, which means less screaming and shouting. Siblings can be encouraged to be kind to each other and show much needed tolerance. Be kind to the help in your house- no use giving food to the poor outside when you are not going to give relief to your help. Spouses can learn to be kind to each other and show patience- charity can truly start at home.
- Know thyself- start small. Ask yourself a question and then be patient. If you wait for the answer long enough and are quiet enough, the answer will come.
- Human body is made for work- no use sitting all day. Get up and exercise. Move. Walk up those stairs, get the remote yourself, help in the kitchen and use the screen time to research some good YouTube exercise videos- I am really enjoying exercising with Emi Wong and Allblanc TV.
- Read- the books you had bought and they were patiently awaiting your attention. Either read those books or give them away.
- Look at the sky more often- it might not be this blue and serene once we are all out again!
Ayisha Qureshi 
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