In times of Corona – Work from Home … is it working?

In the year 2011, there was a Hollywood movie – Contagion. In what seems to be a situation of ‘Truth stranger than Fiction’ – India (as of 21st March 2020) seems to be in somewhere halfway through the movie.

But, it isn’t a happy ending … Yet.

Due to the COVID-19 / Corona Outbreak / Pandemic, the people have got a better view of how things work.
We, as individuals, now recognize what are ‘Essential Services’. What industries and what sectors are always on their toes, never resting, never on break.
The challenges that employers face viz-a-viz the challenges faced by the owners of manufacturing units.

If anything, I am thankful the farmers haven’t stopped doing what they do and I am indebted to them they aren’t panicking like headless birds! (like most of us)

Few things that have been seen as a ‘problem’. The indomitable, unextinguishable spirit of Mumbai has refused to back down to this monster of a problem and continues to roam out on the streets! absolutely counterproductive and irresponsible.

We have also witnessed, first hand, why we lot (yes, US INDIANS) can not be trusted to do the right thing. Escaping quarantine, fleeing away to remote locations, meeting large gatherings of peoples – doing everything we can to
– defy the clear instructions of authorities
– endanger a million other lives
– basically, enforcing the delusion that each individual is his/her own boss.

Doesn’t work! We aren’t individual microorganisms. We are part of very complex machinery called INDIA. We make it what it is and what we have done so far, is betray our own countrymen.

I strongly hope there is some PENAL action for those who have fled from quarantine or knowingly spread the infection further.

But then, at the opposite spectrum, there are MANY of us who have stayed back home.
(Just enough I hope! Though at the time of writing this, the numbers don’t seem favourable).
This post is for them. For those who are at home … who ARE WORKING FROM HOME!

As you set up your workspace, your desktop, your office cubicle in one corner of your house … take the opportunity to indulge in these few thoughts:

– Take a look around, this is one of the RARE opportunities where all members of the house get a glimpse into the other’s life on a daily basis!

If you are a homemaker who thinks that the spouse has a gala time cracking jokes in an airconditioned office – then here’s the chance to see how persistent calls keep pouring in from colleagues to pressurized calls from bosses. Hear the clickety-clack of the keyboards. That’s how the bread (or roti) comes home.

If you are the spouse that is primarily at the office, thinking what a wonderful life the other partner has at home – who would probably be just whiling away time on WhatsApp groups and gossip parties, then here’s your chance to see what actually makes a home tick! From boiling the milk, refilling water, chopping vegetables, keeping things orderly and clean there is LOT that goes into keeping the house a home and making sure everything is within our arm’s reach when one returns home in the evening.

If you are a family where both spouses work to make ends meet – this is a wonderful opportunity too!
If you are DINKY – then this is the best time to reconnect with each other. Spend a few moments catching up. Rekindling the flame. Having meaningful conversations! Be it an arranged marriage or a love story that’s rewarding – nothing beats the company of your special someone.
Always keep talking about catching up for ‘lunch’ if your workplace is close by – well NOW lunch CAN be together! Sync your breaks. Try to schedule your meetings.

If you are blessed with offsprings – then this is the time you see how much they need you throughout the day. Sure, schools and classes are sending ‘homework’ on email and WhatsApp and everyone’s doing everything they can to keep the children busy. The screen isn’t the only answer.
Perfect time to remove that old family album of photos or even re-watch your wedding videos with your kids.
You will be surprised to know the questions they ask! That itself can lead to some very engaging, meaningful life-changing conversation.

Amidst all this, somewhere, be aware to your inner self. That voice, which is often drowned in the chaos of traffic, or the crowds of commute. Sometimes, you may hear that which you want the most.
During such times, be aware of :

– What you are MOST THANKFUL about
and
– What you are MOST UNHAPPY about

Thankful, that you have a good job? That you have a good laptop? That your boss is very understanding? That your company is very HR friendly? That your spouse is so understanding? That your kids are so cute, so smart? That your home is so close to the market? That your society is so proactive? That your location is safe?

Then MAKE SURE you express this gratitude, TODAY. NOW. Not tomorrow. Not after this is all over.
AFTER, make sure you contribute more to that which you are thankful for.

Whatever you are most UNHAPPY about right now – is what IRRITATES or UPSETS you the most on a daily basis!
Was it the commute? Was it the corner cubicle? Was it the AC temperature in the office? Was it some smelly colleague or chatty coworker? Was it the dread of the swiping the ID card in time? Is it the size of the house? Is it the vicinity of some specific places? Is it the leaking bathroom fixtures? Is it a lack of communication with your loved ones?

Whatever it is – RESOLVE TO FIX IT or CHANGE IT.
Life is short. Life is unpredictable. We are literally LIVING proof of it.
So is it really worth it being unhappy every single day of your beautiful unpredictable life about something that you CAN CHANGE?
Change the commute, change the job, change the space, change the pace!

Above all – CHANGE what you can about yourself first … and the WORLD will change with you!

“
God grant me the courage to change the things I can,
Serenity to accept the things I can not,
Wisdom to know the difference.
“

If there are some things you can’t change, take this opportunity to make peace with it!

Home loan means you can’t change your current job – then make peace with it and be happy that you are able to materialize your dream home, step by step.

Geriatric parents mean you can’t change your location – then make peace with it and be happy that you are the reason they smile and that you have the opportunity to give back to those who gave their everything for you.

Noisy kids mean you can’t work peacefully – then make peace with it and be thankful you have kids and take the opportunity to teach them better, to engage with them and converse with them.

Change does not happen overnight – unless of course, it’s the number of COVID 10 positive cases or the Stock Market INDICES.
So keep at it! You have a long time!
&
Gratitude is not expressed in one Thank You. It’s expressed by being the best you can for every moment that you are blessed to be breathing!

Whatever be the situation – you can find something to be thankful about.
If you can’t … Reach out … I am sure you have friends who will remind you of things.
If not – maybe the friends are real blessings!

You are NOT ALONE.

If there’s still no one around … Reply to this post! And I shall do what I can.
(Twitter)

Stay Safe. Stay Healthy!
Stay at HOME!

P.S. This virus does NOT spread over the phone. So, call up those whom you perhaps only send an informal message on special occasions. Talk. Converse. But PLEASE DON’T SPREAD UNVERIFIED INFORMATION.