To officially launch the Discussion Forum page on Satvic Lifestyle, I believe the first topic I am putting out there couldn’t be a more timely and relevant one. Never before has this generation seen a worldwide pandemic such as this. The Coronavirus (COVID 19) has spread across the globe so quickly that it has left some of the wealthiest and economically stable countries struggling to keep up with medical resources and protective equipment required to assist the millions of affected individuals. Various countries have instated lock-downs in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus; however, this has resulted in loved ones not being able to be with each other, breadwinners not being able to work and earn for their families, small businesses collapsing, schools and universities having to close and a wide range of other life altering changes taking place. The world was not ready for this virus; however, governments, doctors and other frontline and essential services workers have courageously risen to the challenge as soon as it presented itself and their efforts thus far have definitely not gone unnoticeed and are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
There is much more that can be said about the past few weeks and months of this year so far. Some people may feel it has been a monumental catastrophe while others may actually say that it has been a welcomed and much needed time for global growth and reflection. So, the topic I suggest to you all is this:
What are the effects that COVID 19, and the resulting actions, have had on your lives personally as well as the lives of those around you?
In addition, what are some of the associated global political, environmental, social, economic and even spiritual effects that you have seen and experienced?
Think about your own experiences related to the virus and its implications. How have the past two or three months of your life been affected? Have these changes been mostly positive or mostly negative? Have you been feeling anxious, relaxed, lonely, irritated, bored, overwhelmed or are you loving and embracing the lifestyle shift? What have you been using this time to do? Besides your usual day-to-day activities, has the lockdown prevented you from doing anything else, such as travel overseas for example? Also think about the environmental changes in world around you, such as how the level of pollution has probably been reduced and how nature and wildlife have been enjoying and reclaiming the spaces that were once theirs before humans moved in.
I invite you to share your lock-down stories, experiences, lessons and revelations on this space. You can also use this platform if you simply need a space to talk about what you are going through, or to confess about cheating on your diet or your workout routine, or to reminisce about the old photos you found during your ‘spring’ cleaning activities that have you feeling deeply nostalgic…
Wherever in the world you are and whatever it is you are thinking, feeling and doing, I would like to hear about it. Even if not regarding something that has been brought up already but is related to COVID 19 or the lock-down, please feel free to share it since this is a very broad and open topic.
Satvic Lifestyle is a safe space and it is your space to speak your mind. However, please remember to share your thoughts respectfully.
Let’s talk!
We have seen that a disease does not discriminate and can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, age, socioeconomic status etc. I think it is quite humbling in a way and reminds us that we are all the same and we are all connected. I think that the world and people could learn a lot from the virus and the lockdown. Environmentally I think the lockdown has been nothing but great. News all around the world is talking about how the air pollution has reduced so much that the skies are the cleanest they’ve been in years. So these are really good things to hear about but it’s just sad that so many people had to die and suffer for it to happen.
The lockdown has been a huge adjustment for me. I am a first year medical student at UCT and the lockdown has meant that our studies have been suspended. This is quite nerve wracking becasue we obviously have a lot of work to cover and a limited time to do it. We are hopefully going to begin online classes soon, which will be a huge help and without the technology as we have it we will probably have a much more difficult time saving the academic year.
I’m also quite grateful for social media at this time, which is allowing friends and family to keep in contact while the lockdown is going on. I personally don’t know what I would do without it.
I’m making the best and the most of this time instead of harping about the negatives. I’m grateful for the time i get to spend with my family because I (like many people) had to leave home when I began my studies. I’m also using the time to keep active and read ahead on my university work.
I would suggest and highly recommend the On Purpose podcast by Jay Shetty for anyone who wants to improve their life in any aspect and get a new perspective on life.
My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has been affected in some way and many thanks to the front line and I can’t wait to join the battle as soon as I can. Stay safe out there everyone.
This is just my view and I’d love to read about other’s experiences.
Conspiracy theories abound. Was Covid-19 created in a lab? I think not. It is nature’s way of levelling the playing fields. As we endure lockdown, the birds and the beasts are now free to roam. In Kruger Park, free from rush hour traffic, wildlife is now moving with gay abandon; wild dogs are frolicking on the golf course and the wildlife in general seem less stressed. In India, residents in certain towns were able to see the Himalaya for the first time ever as a result of a dramatic reduction in pollution. It would be interesting to see what effect this period of lockdown has had on global warming. Countries that previously refused to entertain any thoughts of reducing greenhouse gas emissions have now been forced into submission. An annual lockdown of three weeks would seem like a great idea; but who would agree? As the human race continues to destroy the very earth that sustains us, nature has a way of protecting her children that cannot retaliate. Would we take this time to reflect and make adjustments to our lifestyle when this is over or will we be chasing to cover the material losses we sustained? Bill Gates wrote a very poignant letter asking what we could learn from Covid-19; he said that when something like this occurs, there usually a spiritual aspect to it. I agree.