By Yin Nwe Ko

When I make phone contact with someone these days, the most common words we happen to say in return are ‘How is your family?’; ‘Are you all OK in everything?’; ‘Take good care of your health’. Those tones of words are mingled with worries, loving-kindness, and anxieties. During the Stay-Home period like this, all of our family mem­bers can meet one another at the table in the dining room. Before this period, we could not meet one another as our respective scheduled timetables were dif­ferent.

Now, our dining table is well-attended with all family members. Mom will be thankful for COVID-19, for she has never met her sons and daughters all at the dining table together for ages. My elder brother remem­bers doing physical exercises in the morning. My younger brother started doing the paint­ing, which he abandoned for a decade as his career was too busy to perform his hobby. As for me, I read books and wrote some essays and articles. I do not want you to think that our family has a pleasant time in such a disastrous period in the world. In spite of thinking about my worries and anxieties and be­ing frightened, I will do the work that will not affect others, as well as myself, and that should be done for me. That can be said to be the creation of an escape of mind by oneself.

In fact, think again before the period of COVID-19, the be­haviours of most people have been changed. They do not have the eagerness to chat with each other face-to-face. Although their mouths are making a chat, their eyes are waiting for the chance of scrolling their phones. Smartphones are destroying softly the warm relationships between people. However, hu­man beings forget to resist the influence of non-living things. Due to the knowledge COVID-19 gave, we happened to take no­tice of the value of the time we got. Due to the instruction to stay with anyone at least 3 feet away, we happen to remember the warmth of eating in a com­radely association before.

It is like a warning to us, human beings, by COVID-19. There are many people who forget to die chasing money. They also fail to take good care of themselves. While they were still trying to obtain a high im­pression on the others, only when COVID-19 silently asked them whether they were going to die tomorrow or the day after tomorrow what they would do, they got frightened suddenly. Can the money they earn save them? The answer is ‘No’. Can famous people get more chanc­es? Can people with a power attack fight back against COV­ID with their power? The virus will burst into laughter for these questions. All those things are useful for living people.

On the day when one dies, the value of him or her will de­pend upon whether he or she made benefits for his or her fam­ily or atmosphere and wheth­er his or her existence makes disturbance to the world. Such records will acknowledge his or her value. If the lord of death comes to me without giving any information, I will surely happen to tell him that I have not finished preparing to die; I want to give more time to my family; I want to stay with my colleagues with love and with helping hands; I want to inhale the fragrance of flowers watch­ing their blooming; I want to stay calm gazing the surface of the water of the lake; I want to learn seriously my religion in order to face with the death stably.

If this disaster is over, we all realize more that our lives are precious, even for an hour per day, etc. We all know more that we should not spend time. To obtain such good results, we must overcome the difficulty of the mountain. We must be tired, exhausted, and downhearted. We all will have to suffer from anxiety and sorrow. However, we must not retreat and face them steadfastly. After that, we are able to be happy with our loved ones and stay in a peaceful world for a long time. At that moment, do not forget to decorate the world with our colourful lights.

As the world slowly emerges from the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic now, it’s essential to reflect on how we can collec­tively contribute to rebuilding a brighter, more hopeful future. Just as we adorned our homes with colourful lights during fes­tive seasons, now is the time to illuminate the world with the radiance of hope, kindness, and positivity. Therefore, we should explore various ways in which we can decorate our post-pan­demic world to foster healing, resilience, and unity.

Firstly, let us adorn our communities with the warmth of human connection. Throughout the pandemic, social distancing measures and lockdowns forced us apart physically, leading to feelings of isolation and lone­liness. Now, as we begin to re­connect with one another, it’s crucial to prioritize building and nurturing meaningful relation­ships. Simple gestures such as smiling at strangers, engaging in small talk with neighbours, or reaching out to old friends can go a long way in fostering a sense of belonging and connec­tion within our communities. By embracing human connection, we can create a supportive net­work that uplifts and sustains us through life’s challenges.

Secondly, let us embellish our surroundings with acts of kindness and compassion. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of supporting one another during times of adversi­ty. Whether it’s offering a helping hand to those in need, volun­teering at local organizations, or simply practising empathy and understanding towards others, acts of kindness have the pow­er to brighten someone’s day and instil hope in their hearts. By cultivating a culture of com­passion and generosity, we can create a ripple effect of positivity that transforms our communi­ties and uplifts those who are struggling.

Thirdly, let us adorn our minds with gratitude and ap­preciation. In the midst of hard­ship and uncertainty, it’s easy to dwell on the negative aspects of life. However, by consciously cul­tivating an attitude of gratitude, we can shift our focus towards the abundance of blessings that surround us each day. Wheth­er it’s expressing gratitude for our health, loved ones, or the beauty of nature, practising gratitude enables us to find joy and contentment in the pres­ent moment. Moreover, by ac­knowledging and appreciating the efforts of frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and essential workers who have tire­lessly served our communities throughout the pandemic, we can honour their sacrifices and express our heartfelt gratitude for their dedication and bravery.

Fourthly, let us decorate our future with resilience and determination. The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our collec­tive resilience like never before. Despite facing unprecedented challenges, we have demonstrat­ed our ability to adapt, innovate, and persevere in the face of ad­versity. As we look towards the future, it’s essential to harness this resilience and determina­tion to navigate the uncertain road ahead. By embracing change, learning from our ex­periences, and staying commit­ted to our goals, we can emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever before.

Finally, let us adorn our world with unity and solidarity. The pandemic has underscored the interconnectedness of our global community, reminding us that we are all in this together. Now, more than ever, it’s imper­ative to set aside our differences and come together in solidarity to address the pressing chal­lenges facing our world. Whether it’s combating climate change, promoting social justice, or ad­dressing global health crises, unity and solidarity are essential for effecting positive change on a worldwide scale. By standing together as a united front, we can build a more inclusive, eq­uitable, and sustainable world for future generations.

In sum, as we emerge from the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic, let us commit to dec­orating our world with the light of hope, kindness, and positivity. By prioritizing human connec­tion, practising acts of kindness, cultivating gratitude, embracing resilience, and fostering unity, we can create a future that is bright, hopeful, and filled with promise. Together, let us illumi­nate the world with the radiance of our collective humanity and build a better tomorrow for all.