Heart in the times of COVID by Sanjana Goutham

 A global pandemic, the worst economic recession recorded in the history, democracy and

human rights in jeopardy, the absence of human touch, the unspoken isolation and loneliness

that COVID comes with and the list goes on. All of a sudden, the human mind and heart that

were previously invested in climbing up the ladder of progress is now slowing down to just stay

put on the ladder. The striving and need for more, is now being replaced by surrendering and

the thought that “Maybe this is enough?”

Heart during the times of COVID is a strange and unexplainable phenomenon. The last few

months have been challenging, but also strangely comforting. Comforting because, in a

generation of consumerism and hustle culture frenzy, I have come to understand what truly is

valuable. Valuable to mankind, valuable to the human heart.

Connection – While we battle this pandemic, one thing that has become more apparent than

ever before is the importance of connection. The value of meaningful connections and support

systems. The grief this disease comes with is oftentimes scarier than the disease itself. It has

been a reminder to value our relationships, reach out to people and let them know that they are

not alone. When the message “You are not alone” is shared, it is also an assurance to oneself.

Sometimes, this is what healing looks like, to have a shoulder to cry on, or a hand to hold during

difficult moments. We cannot underestimate the power of human connections, as they are

imperative for our mental and ‘heart’ health.

Introspection – A mind that reflects is a mind that grows. The whole world suddenly had no

place to run to, no retreats in the hills, or conferences in big cities. Our lives took such a major

turn that nothing on the ‘to-do list’ mattered anymore. Maybe, this is an opportunity to also

evaluate what is truly important to us and our lives. Maybe, our to-do lists after this pandemic

are going to be vastly different from our pre-pandemic to-do lists. And, I believe, that’s the point.

What brings meaning to my life? is a question people take lifetimes to think about, maybe this

pandemic got us thinking about it sooner. Heart during the times of COVID is becoming

sensitive without realizing it. It understands that the obstacles in life are a given and that the

human spirit and its resilience can overcome any of these roadblocks. It understands that life is

so much in giving than in receiving.

 

Mindfulness - Seize the day, my friend! All that we have is here and now. Mindfulness experts

have been speaking about being in the moment, enjoying the present and slowing down. All

these seemed like abstract and non-achievable ways of living until the human race was left with

no choice. The art of not doing anything, the pleasure of downtime is getting lost as we move

with our fast-paced lives. Maybe life is about the irreplaceable comfort of enjoying the rain with a

good book or catching up with an old friend. Maybe there is so much to life in the soft and quiet

moments than in the loud and noisy ones.

To sum up the lovely paradox of this heart, I would like to end with words of Iain Thomas,

“And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, “This is important! And this is

important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!” And each

day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No. This is what’s

important.”

Needless to say that the heart will never be the same again!

Contact Details: Sanjana Goutham, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), India

+9543726735