As a parent who can write offhand, I often end up churning write-ups for my kids. I know I am spoiling them by doing it for them but it is better than them not doing at all.
Ashwin's class teacher cum English teacher, who has read some of my columns, advised him to get my help for a speech he was to give for the school virtual assembly today. The topic was "No medicine cures what happiness cannot". Here it is.
Happiness, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, is a state of well-being and contentment. The year 2020 we all thought would be a fantastic year in the UAE with the Expo 2020 and numerous other fun things we always have lined up here. Most importantly, we were writing our first Board exams that would take us to our specialised interests in Grade 11 and 12.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus sneaked in throwing out of gear our lives and everything that we were used to. The Board results became a tame affair but our school and teachers ensured that everything ran smoothly and we slid into a new academic year with ease.
Personally speaking, the coronavirus has made me very happy. I do not have to get up at 5 am to be ready for the school bus or experience hunger pangs during class. We have fast-forwarded to the future, and remote learning is the norm across the world for school children. I can get up half an hour (I know I am exaggerating) before class now, switch on my laptop and be on time for each period except when the Teams or my laptop malfunctions.
I can always give a shout-out to my mom when I am hungry or need an energy booster. I can take a power nap during the break or listen to music or step out of the room to stretch my legs.
I am sure many of you would agree that a game of Fortnite or FIFA19 in the after-school hours will help us unwind after the rigours of distance learning. Talking to friends over an online game as we tackle animated villains and hurdles is my idea of relaxation. I do not feel I have been away from friends for long. Some evenings, I wear a mask and go for a walk with a friend or two. We chat over a paper cup of tea or a roll of shawarma. An occasional mall visit observing safety measures has also helped to boost happiness, and recollect what life was like earlier.
I think even in times as trying as COVID -19, we can choose to be happy. Find things that we like to do best or people we like to be with at least virtually. There is no need to feel depressed thinking that life is not fun anymore. It is up to us to make the best of every situation. Happiness is the best pill we can take this season and each of us have to prepare our own medicine.
Of course, I miss not being able to see all my friends in person, my new classmates and new teachers who I have met only on screen. I look forward to seeing you all soon in school soon. Until then, let me thank everyone who has made this virtual assembly possible.
The teacher had told me it was perfect and asked him to practise, which he did only at midnight yesterday. But he read well today. He cleverly skipped some parts today while reading - about the video games and exaggerating and shawarma etc. - since he was embarrassed to discuss them in front of teachers and school heads.
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