Life and Motivation Video: It's a Chicken Life Baby.

A Tribute to all the Tanuki Beavers in Japan in the times of Covid 19

SEVEN NATURE LESSONS TO 'WIN OVER' CORONA VIRUS

My tribute goes to the stuffed creature above (taken in Japan) as this picture inspired me to write this article as an 'aid' to help people all around the world stay strong during these pandemic times. The tanuki, to my knowledge, used to be an evil trickster but now represents good luck and happiness! 

We understand that the world is in the midst of a pandemic. It was only in 2018 I taught  my students a listening exercise and the topic was about 'pandemic'. In just a few months later, the corona virus attacked. Now we are really in the midst of a real pandemic! How much more practical can I be?

If we survive this pandemic we would live to tell the future generation about 'the great pandemic' that hit the world in the 2020s. In twenty years time, your children's children will be listening in awe to your story: How I survived the pandemic. Interesting? 

Now the issue forgotten in today's scenario is all about  nature, health and insights into the pandemic and the lessons that we are learning at this point of the pandemic. 

Today our nature aka environment is in ill health. A deadly virus is taking our life and soul (as well). And what are we going to do about it? Nothing much you may say. 

However  everything is in our hands. Don't let a miserable virus kill your determination, strength, perseverance, and most of all your right to live in this world. Nature is for us to explore, enjoy and appreciate. 

What we are learning at this moment is the lesson given by Nature for the survival of the future.  Nature is the one and only guru to humankind! This is the best time to better ourselves and indulge in the knowledge and life bestowed by mother nature. The human species will ultimately survive this pandemic. Below are 7 Nature-based lessons for us to keep-up during these pandemic times and beyond. Remember Nature is a tremendous healer and guru.

Lesson number one: Never fail to respect Nature. 

Nature is God's picture-book. It is full of colours for mankind to enjoy, love and treasure. With this in mind, we should be, even during this pandemic, able to respect and care for the nature around us. Kill your time at home by planting as many greens as possible. Nature will thank you for it. Make sure you plant and take care of as many colourful flowers and shrubs within your available space. Colours can brighten your day and mood in this difficult time.

                            Lovely petunias in brilliant colours

Learn to love the trees, animals, and the natural resources around you. Lockdown is not a punishment! It is a time to reflect, and retrospect.  Nature is God's gift to mankind. Never ever think of even hurting anything that is God-given! 

                                              The trees bloom for man to enjoy.

              Trees are man's first love. When the last tree dies, humankind dies with it.

So what has trees got to  do with the pandemic? Well, for one thing try not to kill trees. Cherish them like you do your own family. A tree when loved and cherished never disappoints you. Trees give your a lot: fruits, shade, food, flowers, peace, calm, wood, rubber, oils, oxygen. 

For those of us who are lucky enough to own a tree or two in our place - let us cherish and take care of our trees. Our trees are not just standing there for nothing. They selflessly give away oxygen and take in the Carbon Dioxide we produce so that the world can live longer. Tree stand rooted to let the animals and humans move, eat, breed and continue living. So learn to love the greatness trees!

Lesson number 2: Remember to appreciate every breath you are taking now. 

Oxygen is life 's sustenance. Think yoga if you want to lead a stress-free life in times of Covid.

Think of nature's abundance and selflessness. Think of exercising everyday. Think of keeping clean. Learn to forgive. Learn to forget. forgive. This s what nature is trying to teach you. 

 

A tree doesn't think. A tree doesn't get stressed by not being able to forgive others. Now is the time to thank Nature for your every breath. 

Call up that family of yours. 

Forgive. Forget. Speak to that enemy of yours. All will be well. 

Virus or no virus. Forgiving and giving up ego is the best cure for today's Covid-infested stressful life and style.

Lesson number 3: Give without grudge.  

Nature gives for as long as you respect it. Nature is full of resources and unlimited abundance. All you need to do is protect, sustain the nature around you. Care for the poor, blind, and orphaned. Adopt a poor child on the street. Adopt a cat.  Adopt any living creature in need of food and shelter!  Selflessness is a kin to the bountiful nature. Nature never goes wrong!

                            

        Adopt a cat or a dog. Give it a name. And see how life cosy 

                                           life can be!

Lesson number 4: Donate. Share

Donate whatever little you can. Share your bread and butter. Your rice and gravy. Your potato and wheat. Sharing never kills. Nature is selfless. It gives us rain, air, water, thunder , lightning, sunshine, food. Nature shares everything! Share.... and feel good. This is the best way to feel good in times of this pandemic.

 
                                               Nature shares everything with us!

Lesson number 5: When you eat the apple think of the seeds.

When you enjoy the nature, even if it is a small plant or flower in your tiny apartment or house. Think of the greatness of the Life Giver. Think how lucky you are to be healthy, and safe in your cosy abode. 

Think how kind God is to you and your family and friends. And for those of you who have friends and family members who are victims of the C19, think how lucky they are to have you to pray for them. When you sit at the hedge, think of the poor tree which died for the gate. 

The hedge and the tree exist for each other. They are symbiotic in their own ways. Don't 

                                 worry, you are also part of this relationship. 

Think deeply about your role in this special relationship between the tree, hedge, plants, and flowers. You will ultimately understand the grace of Nature towards mankind!

Note: When you think of the poor tree that died in order to make way for the hedge think of the lovely little flowers that live beside the dead pole. When a loved one died due to the pandemic, think of the little ones in the family of the bereaved. 

Be there to bring light and colour to the little flowers! We all know death is painful. Death is cruel. But in the cruelty of death think of the grace of God. Your loved one is now with God. There is no more pain for him/her from the Corona virus. The virus lost the game after all. No virus can reach the Kingdom of God!

Lesson number 6: To cross or not cross the bridge is in our hands. 

Let no virus  decide for us. Let us keep up with the SOPs. Washing our hands with soap and water is not a mammoth job. Keeping away from another human being is to respect his life and health. Keeping your social distancing is your way of saving another man's life and family.  You too can be a saviour by keeping your distancing. The decision is in your hands, not in the virus' hands, so to say!

                                        

                           The decision to cross to the other side or to stay is entirely in 

                                                                        our hands!

Lesson number 7: Life is Beautiful. 

The journey of life is such a colourful and awesome trip. Do not be careless and miss it.

                                                                 

                                           The fish is happy in the waters.

             

                        

                                             Even a snail is happy in this beautiful world.

The world is beautiful to the birds, turtles, bisons, swallows, ants, frogs, ducks, and hey the world is beautiful even for the C19 virus!

Shouldn't happiness fit into your life as well? You deserve to live like the animals, flora and fauna. A free life from the chain of C19  virus  can be made possible by everyone of us. Just like the virus you don't need a reason to be happy! The virus doesn't travel on its own. We help transfer the virus! 

But all is not lost. 

We have a choice here: We can transfer the virus Or we transfer kindness and happiness. We have the choice to make this world a beautiful place even during this pandemic! 

Isn't this choice attractive? Everyone of us have the ability to break the C19 chain! God is great. He has given us the ability to break the chain. We can defeat the virus because we know that Life is Beautiful! 

Lesson number 8: Life is Beautiful. 

Don't just count on the destination. Enjoy every moment of the journey!

                                  

            Calendars and schedules confine man to the unending worldly chores.

                                               .

Stop calculating the gap between life and death in numbers, days, dates and minutes! A person in line with Nature's selflessness counts on the quality of life rather than grappling with the insecurity associated to this pandemic scenario.

Life is too short to be conditioned with spite, jealousy, panic, revenge, hatred, anger, fear, lust, vengeance and all other negative traits. Covid or no Covid -These traits just don't click with the selflessness of Nature at all! 

As the Romanians say:

                                    Viața este Frumoasa!

                                            (Life is beautiful)

Cheerio for now!

VSK  💖