Things I Have Learned During Quarantine
This year has not been what most of us imagined 2020 to be. From the outbreak of COVID-19 to the subsequent government-ordered quarantine, most of us are stuck in our house — working from home, doing online school classes, or attempting to say sane throughout this process. In addition, there is an almost universal sense of hopelessness and dread. As COVID-19 cases pile up and quarantine drags on, we wonder, “Is it ever going to end?” “When are we able to leave the house?” “Can I ever see my friends?” “When will church be open?” Etc. Etc.
There are so many questions but few answers in the face of uncertainty.
However, in the midst of everything, quarantine for me has also been a blessing in disguise. Not that I’m glad the coronavirus exists, but there’s so much that I am learning and appreciating throughout my quarantine period.
First of all, quarantine has taught me the value of family. It’s not uncommon to feel exasperated when you are stuck at home with your family for months. As much as we may loathe our siblings or the nagging from our parents, your family is your flesh and blood; the people you've grown up with. This time of quarantine has really allowed me to interact and strengthen my relationships with my family. Not everyone has a good family or a complete family and some of you don't even know of your real parents. and I am sorry if that is your case. I wish that the world wasn't the kind of place that allowed people to not have a healthy and happy home. Even so, I wish to remind you, reader, that despite your home situation, you are still a part of that family that you are living with or were raised in. You may not be able to choose what family you are born into, but they are your family no matter what. There's a quote that says, “Family is a unique gift that needs to be appreciated and treasured, even when they’re driving you crazy. As much as they make you mad, interrupt you, annoy you, curse at you, try to control you, these are the people who know you the best and who love you.” And I encourage you to not take this quarantine for granted. Whether you are a son, daughter, father, mother, etc, talk to your family, spend time with them, and use this chance to grow closer. Even if you are not with your family currently, use whatever time you have with them to the fullest.
In the same way, the use of time has been an important concept that I've thought about. Many of us have complained about being bored, but really what we are doing is being unproductive. Even in this quarantine, we have so many things we can do and learn. Albert-Laszlo Barabasi had said, “Time is our most valuable nonrenewable resource, and if we want to treat it with respect, we need to set priorities.” What you choose to do now will impact you the rest of your life. So I plead for everyone to not waste this time. Wasting your life is the greatest regret one can ever have. Do not let yourself be caught up in the drag of quarantine. Use this time you are given to do something worthwhile for your health, family, faith, etc. Wealth, success, the newest fad or video game, and everything that the world offers are merely material goods that won't last.
Finally, (since I've written way more than I intended) I wish to just wish to pass on one more lesson I am reminded of.
Life is short. No one knows how long they will be on this earth. A split second and your life could end. You never know when you or a loved one could die. That is why I wish to not waste my life.
As a Christian, I admit that I am not always responsible, kind, or consistent in my faith. I waste my time, take my life for granted, prioritize what's meaningless, and never really take the chances I am given to do something worthwhile. I am not a perfect human being (far from it), which is why I am in desperate need of a Savior to save me from my sinful ways. And that Savior is only found in Christ Jesus. Since quarantine, I have not let the closing of church stop me from growing in my faith. Instead, I've used this time to really reflect only life and the genuineness of my faith. I may not always be a true reflection of Christ, but I am thankful that He gives me strength and breath. Because of this, I find more meaning in life when I choose to use my time and energy to bring glory to God, whether doing family devotions, spending time with my loved ones, and having quiet time with Him.
To live is Christ and to die is gain. This single statement says a lot. As we live, we realize that our mere efforts are nothing without Christ. He should be the reason why we live and do what we do. And even if we are to die, we gain so much. When we die, we will be able to be in the presence of a Holy God because we are given the purity of Christ. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This Bible verse tells us that Jesus had no sin, yet it was through his sacrifice that we can find righteousness. The reminder is that Jesus died for everyone, but he did so without ever sinning and offers us hope in our own struggles.
This is just a bit of what I've been thinking about throughout quarantine. Not everyone who reads this will share the same views or agree with everything I said, but I hope to have shared something worthwhile with my friends and fellow chess.com members.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Also, check out my other post(s)!
https://www.chess.com/blog/ChessSensasian/to-all-my-friends-on-chess-com
