COVID-19 - A lesson of humility in my lifetime, for my lifetime

We know now from the epicenter of where all of this began, China, that the number of new confirmed cases of the coronavirus can slow down considerably, and that in turn suggests the risk from the virus isn’t indefinite. But, here in the US, we know we have a longer, tougher road ahead. We know our medical staff will be on the front lines longer, more tired, and that we will need all the help we can get. We know that the number of our volunteers are going to be less, with more focus on rebooting the economy, people fearful that if the virus doesn't kill them, may be unemployment or recession will. But there is a lesson we can all learn from this - we in the US have had a great advantage that we weren't the first to get hit by this very ferocious threat to mankind. It was China that took that hit, and did what they could in dire circumstances and in some sense, led the world in their efforts to conquer this virus. In a weird way, they brought the world together against a common enemy...Yet, we find more people passing racist and truly not funny jokes against the same folks we should be embracing (not really, because of social distancing), asking for advice,  looking for hope and at least right now (3 months later), empathizing and apologizing for not helping them through their sufferings.But no, we are humans. We cannot look beyond our personal differences. We are a petty kind, who even in the most humble times fail to learn, fail to understand, fail to be human.
It's a real shame.

This Valentine's day, and the place to find happiness

During a class at Fresno Pacific University, a speaker asked one of the spouses in the audience:

"Does your husband make you happy?"

At this moment, the husband stood up straighter, showing complete confidence. He knew his wife would say yes, because she had never complained about anything during their marriage.

However, his wife answered the question with a resounding "No." "No, my husband does not make me happy."

The husband was baffled, but his wife continued:

"My husband never made me happy, and he does not make me happy. I am happy."

"Whether I am happy or not is dependent not on him, but on me. I am the only person on whom my happiness depends.

I choose to be happy in every situation and every moment of my life, for if my happiness depended on another person, thing or circumstance, I would be in serious trouble.

Everything that exists in this life constantly changes: the human being, the riches, my body, the climate, my boss, the pleasures, the friends, and my physical and mental health. I could quote an endless list.

I need to decide to be happy regardless of anything else that happens. Whether I own a lot or a little, I am happy! Whether I'm going out or staying home alone, ​​I'm happy! Whether I am rich or poor, I am happy!

I am married, but I was already happy when I was single.
I'm happy for myself.

I love my life not because my life is easier than anyone else's, but because I have decided to be happy as an individual. I am responsible for my happiness.

When I take this obligation from my husband and anyone else, I free them from the burden of carrying me on their shoulders. It makes everyone's life much lighter.

And that's how I've had a successful marriage for so many years."

Never give anyone else the responsibility to control your happiness. Be happy, even if it's hot, even if you're sick, even if you do not have money, even if someone has hurt you, even if someone does not love you and even if you do not value yourself.

Resilience

There's a lot that trying times can remind you. Most of all, they bring back your ability to be malleable. Hurricane Harvey for the first time displaced me from my home and my ability to access it. It became clear to me how important it was to be resilient in times you are separated from what want and what you can have.

Good Memory - A double edged sword

Since a kid I was complimented to have the best memory in class. It was just the right skill a high school student needed in an Asian school environment where good grades were heavily dependent on memory. I wasn't smart enough and I knew all along that I couldn't thrive in a difficult or tricky environment if I couldn't in that situation count on my memory. When I came to University and then eventually to the work world, I saw how my good memory was not paying me much dividends.

At age 29, I have understood the true negative of my good memory. I have carried the baggage of my nasty/bad relationships (especially those were people had intentionally wronged me) and I am constantly allowing it to add cumulatively to a pre-existing and pretty full compartment in my mind. A family member once responded with harshness at the way a news was delivered to him rather than a smile on his face and love in his heart at the sweetness of the content of the news. Today as this same individual is celebrating a big day, I feel restless, not because of his actions but because of my own good memory problem. Fact is that I probably meant peanuts to this individual, but I have allowed something in my own power to not be able to feel happy in a joyous moment,

Good memory can certainly allow less pragmatic people to stagnant their growth and achievements some times. If only memories were selective for me, and I can chose which ones to keep and which ones to move past.

Happiness

I once thought happiness was just finding love in the one that loved you the most and then life was set. But I wasn't sure if I managed to convince my dad with this, who's opinion matters the most to me in this world. After many years of question, I looked into my dad's eyes moments before my wedding - I saw his face glow as he looked at me top to bottom. His eyes told me he was more confident in my decision than ever - I felt he finally believed in how happy this man made me. It was an amazing moment, and I realized I had touched a new level of happiness. So fortunate I am that it got caught on camera. #manishandsung

Reciprocation of love

"Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, it doesn't mean that they don't love you."

But sometimes, its difficult. After having bonds of love and affection for so long, you come across moments of hesitation from your friends and family on sharing their happiness, as if they were scared you would jinx it. Meanwhile, you have prayed for the best for them all along everytime you have witnessed their griefs and desperately waiting for the good days to return to them.

One can't help but feel paralyzed a bit in those moments. But at the end, hoping you can get past how and how much someone loves you, as it truly can't measured.

Vikas Khanna...I am addicted to the way you lead your life

Resilience and time...hurts you and heals you, it makes you full.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmeySZFS5YI

#masterchef #junoon