Staying Home And Staying Positive: A Universal Compassion Through Humanness

Only if we understand, can we care.

Only if we care, will we help.

Only if we help, shall they be saved.”

~ Jane Goodall.

At this quarantine time, I feel my insight pouncing out at me and there is an overwhelmed thinking at this state guiding me to explore my inner self by adapting time in various ways – like learning a new skill, engaging in new activities, sketching, dancing, flowing with the tune of the music, doing research, writing poems and blogs, and also doing an online course that could help me in improving learning skills and relish my knowledge.

In these anxious and uncertain days, varied psychological disturbances such as anxiety, helplessness, irritability, stress, and negative thinking have interrupted my alluring day’s harmony. These signs of melancholy take a stand with me many times, but simultaneously there have been other events that have led me to see humanity into a different perspective. I am astonished to witness humanity through my caring family, friendly neighbourhood, and ever-reliable friends as they share their love from distant pathways with utmost genuineness and that creates memories to last forever.

I also come across unique memories that give me a realization of how these days are important for us as there is an understanding of the worth of others’ love that has protected me these days. It is this time that I understand that this challenging face of social distancing has made me realise how important each decision of others is in my life. This is the time when we not only make ourselves happy but also share positive vibes to our surroundings and everyone in it. Such positive approaches would have a positive influence on us to grow with peace and harmony.

It is relevant that we practice mindfulness to nourish our inner selves while we are conversing with others as well as ourselves. I realised during this crisis time that love for oneself increases positive feelings and mindset. It is also a crucial thing to learn the skill of open-mindedness, as this skill does not let our thoughts out but also allows us to hear others without any judgment or criticisms. All that I would say through this unique realization is that everyone should learn to be open-minded and imbibe in us that others are unique and dynamic in their way irrespective of their status, literacy, colour, creed, and speech. It is said, “life is the sum of all your choices” (Albert Camus). The way we speak and communicate defines us and it is important to change our mind into growing beautifully by learning self-acceptance and acquiring different skills through the universe.

The kindness that we show to ourselves and others will lead to success and adaptation in our lives. Such enriching kindness should not be showered towards mankind alone but also animals as well. This period of social distancing has made me understand my pet in my life and also it has helped me realise that a pet can beat sadness. When an individual can mingle with an animal by sharing love and care I consider it a reflection of true love, like William Shakespeare who says, “one beautiful heart is better than a thousand beautiful faces.” This is the expected universal process of giving back the same, that we have received from the universe. It is one of the most wonderful experiences that we may not realize when they are with us but in our painful journey, they make us feel their presence.

I wish that every human being shares their love and care not only towards humanity but also show affection to our ever-grateful animals around and to shower them by the innate kindness and mindfulness that we have received through this period of social distancing. Part or whole of our soul remains far from awakening until we love animals. Every animal on earth has every right to be here and cared, just like you and me. As Albert Einstein says, “the world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi has beautifully put it: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Let’s not forget, a hundred years from now, it will not matter the sort of house we lived in, the money we had, the technology we developed, the positions we held, the type of cars we drove, but the world may be a different place because we were important in the lives of animals. For, universal kindness, like a boomerang, always returns.

Aishwarya Sibey Member since May 16, 2020

Aishwarya Sibey is a Psychologist, completed her MSc Psychology from Indian Institute of Psychology and Research (IIPR), Bengaluru. She is an outgoing President of Rotaract Club, Jyoti Nivas College Autonomous for the academic year, 2019-20. A passionate pet lover, a youth writer who writes poems and blogs, she exhibits her research interests in the areas of neurodevelopmental disorders, animal therapy, clinical psychology, criminal psychology and positive psychology.