Personal point of view

Miranda Hart, English actress, comedian and author wrote: “I only really and truly fully relax on my own. Give me a sun lounger, a pool and a sea view, and I’m happy.” And so I am too, these last couple of days. While Hart prefers to relax on her own, I relax best when accompanied by others. And so here I am with five fine friends in this beach resort in Kalutara, stretched out completely at ease in a pool-side recliner with a mattress cushioning my back and bottom; palms swaying and the sea rather boisterous against the golden sands.

It’s been such an age since I was out of home and in a hotel. We six used to go often. mostly to beach places, and then I would also have short vacations with nieces and nephews. A son will soon be here after his last visit in January 2020, and travel permitted, I will be more than willing to accompany him on tours within the island.

We had to take the hotel’s offer of a concessionary rate with full board included. Mercifully, buffet meals have been few. Usually we eat very light for lunch after a welcome, dawdled over a very heavy breakfast, so we usually go for half board stays. We know how to go slow on food intake. Even Scrabble and 304 card games played this time are less because we each wanted to soak in as much peace, quiet and that rejuvenating away-from-it-all feeling, together but in solitude.

Thoughts

Much thought-rumination was indulged in with plenty of time to roam around in mind as the body relaxed deliciously. As was to be expected, thinking of the pandemic and how all persons, whether black, white, brown, or yellow had their lives turned upside down occupied my mind. Everyone knows of the turmoil, suffering, curtailment and immense number catching Covid 19 and thousands dying each day. However there have been benefits too, if one would look for them and acknowledge them.

Before I enumerate plus points of the Covid shut downs, I must make a qualification. I speak as an older person in retirement from a career and having no piles of work to get through. I am fully aware of how much the younger generation, especially those in their twenties and thirties, suffered deprivation and frustration thirsting for good times. One young one I know exemplifies how drastically the pandemic and frequent lockdowns and travel restriction stymied her. She was to be married to a person living abroad. All delayed for two solid years. Thus the pros I list below are those of the older person, more so the woman.

Daily wage earners and school going children suffered the most. We hope earnestly their lives will improve. Here however, a dark cloud of doubt dims the hope to a flicker. Many teachers are on strike and unthinkably, principals too. Work may be available for daily workers but how on earth could they manage even one nutritious meal a day with prices of even bare essentials so high?

Pluses

The greatest benefit of the pandemic sweeping across the world and poised to surge again in Sri Lanka is the realization that life could be simple, very much simplified. In many ways it was forcibly made straighforward. I need not spell out the restrictions that were upon us, which actually had a positive side to them: the lockdowns endowing more time to be within oneself; much less partying; realization of the uselessness of acquisitions whether they be clothes or other material stuff. Life actually turned to uncomplicated living – at least for many. With it came dawning acknowledgement of how useless ‘keeping up with others’ was.

Friendships and concern were in greater abundance and intensity. A social get-together of friends and relatives were ordinary, everyday occurrences in pre-pandemic times. Even these simple happenings became more precious, more to be appreciated, when ease of lockdowns and having been inoculated permitted social gatherings. When lockdowns were in place, and physically meeting was forbidden, concern and togetherness were maintained through the telephone and electronically.

There definitely was more metta and karuna in people’s hearts and behaviour. We felt greater loving kindness as we realized how humans were suffering. We felt more merciful and sympathetic because we knew for certain how very deprived many of our people were, mostly daily wage earners. Their families suffered immensely and in whatever way possible many persons were more given to charitable acts of mercy.

Deaths were difficult to contend with. Covid deaths caused consternation and death through natural causes was more poignant because one could not pay one’s last respect to the dead person nor show solidarity in sympathy with bereaved families. Even now, with no lockdowns, one tends to opt not to go for funerals; observing government restriction and in consideration of one’s health. Here again the shocks suffered by the suddenness and cruel extent of the pandemic reduced death to an acceptable end to life. Resignation to death was greater.

I am certain very many people became more genuinely religious when deprived of the rites and rituals of religions by places of religious worship being closed or lockdowns confining us indoors. Without the easy trappings, the true essence of religion was tasted. Many Buddhists, at least the older women, listened more to telecast bana preachings over several TV channels; sil was observed at home which called for greater restraint and discipline than when participating in a sil programme in temple or medication centre. The Buddha’s Dhamma became more real to me and I fully realized the truth that change occurs all the time, nothing is permanent; one needs to workout one’s own deliverance and one had best be an island unto oneself.

Prices of necessities soared but those who are far from rich managed because expenses were less: simple food, no travelling around, no dinners in restaurants, no entertaining at home either during lockdowns. This ‘going easy’ continued to a great extent even when restrictions were lifted. A surprising fact was that common colds, coughs and flu were less, due to mask wearing. While for every minor and major health concern we consulted specialists, during Covid times we did not go to hospitals nor make appointments with consultants, fearing infection.

The list can go on of what we realized and what benefits accrued this last one year and nine months: after March 2020.

Wordsworth’s oft quoted final lines of his poem Daffodils came to mind. I change them somewhat and present them to you:

For oft when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

Facts of pandemic flash that inward eye

And then, thanks for still being alive!