Confined Strides

In the era of hustle culture, we can’t sit still and look pretty. Not when there is war surging outside and people dying inside. So this second wave of covid-19 made me realize that everyone is taking strides to live, survive and even thrive. Whilst the world around us seems to have paused with closed shops, business still. The hustlers cannot and do not stop. Some lack the luxury. Others choose not to do so.

As deja vu has settled in and pyjamas are only clothes in the laundry bin, we yet again work from home, work at home, work towards sharpening the saw, towards rekindling old friendships. Finding new hobbies, learning new skills, donating our salary, feeding our families. Humans prove time and again to be so adaptable that it is inspiring and shocking.

The world is taking steps to eradicate with covid through vaccines. Whilst Earth is busy healing herself and finally taking a well deserved time off from carbon emission, pollution and us. We are letting time and science heal us.

I always have an internal dialogue of whether I am doing enough. But what is enough? We all have a role to play and common sense to keep us at bay. So let’s just do our part.

There are overwhelmed and exhausted parents, and a complete generation that knows the ‘New Normal’ as normal. People at every stage of life are accommodating their needs and wants to the restrictions and demands of the situations. And still moving ahead.

People are creating businesses, starting home bakeries, tutoring online, making their loved ones smile. Is there anything more meaningful than that?

Everyone seems to be reaching out for something. Often life is glorified for the living but the only thing that makes life unleash in all glory is the fact that it’s going to end someday. The clock is ticking which is the hero, the villain and the twist altogether.

It’s inspiring to see people take charge of whatever has been thrown at them. There are trying times, hopefully, life is beautiful wherever you are. I know you are taking strides in your own way. I hope you know that too.

We are walkers.

We are walkers

I think the world is divided into three types of people:

the runners, walkers and strollers.

My fam comes in the brisk walker kind.

With the change in times asks for change in pace?

Nah! Just a few extra laps accompanied by a good conversation,

in-sync strides of the walkers, setting sun and the distant laughter of kids.

We find new ways to meet. With the mask on, sanitizing our hands before and after, and video calling the missing half of the family. New Normal? Maybe.

As we stay home, Earth heals. She saves her breath and hits the reset button. With decrease in air, sound pollution, animals on streets, beaches getting naturally clean, and many species finally see the best breeding season.

Panic-stricken she paces,

Panic-stricken she paces,

mask making her breathless,

Her mind buzzed with fear,

She runs towards the hospital,

All I do is click and hope she is not too late.

The youngest of Gen Alpha are taking their steps to curb the outbreak. By asking everyone who goes out, “Mask?”

Get Vaccinated. So we can break free from this vicious loop.

All businesses standstill except the medical. 2020 was a financially draining year for many, laps in loan installments, hard to maintain funds and harder to get food on the table.

Pedestrian: Today I need those extra bucks. I shall stride.

Auto driver: If only there was one more passenger, I could buy some veggies home.

There are more dogs on the street than humans. Hope you decide to feed some hungry soul today.

The silence is eerie and the street is empty. And still, there is a war happening. We shall survive to tell the story.