When I received an email from my colleague in Italy, I was afraid to open it. Not that the virus would spread through cyberspace, but I was afraid to hear any bad news. As I read through it and prepared myself to see the word “infected”, instead I saw a different message. He said “we’re always looking forward to holidays so we can spend time with our families, perhaps take advantage of this harsh time and revisit the family value you have put aside while focusing on work.”
This took me back to my childhood when typhoon was frequent in the summer in Asia. When typhoon hit, power got cut off everything was pitch black. Back then, there was no internet. The only available entertainment was to either sleep or to sit around the table and talk. Sometimes we would light candles so we could play cards. Did I enjoy those times? At the time, I didn’t because I couldn’t watch TV.
When disasters happen, they either separate the families or unite the families. Since a month ago, we’ve been forced to stay home due to the pandemic. Were you frustrated with your kids this morning because they were destroying the house? Were you upset that your spouse added an additional burden to you by asking you “what’s for lunch? What’s for dinner?” And even your dog was asking for attention from you!
Psychology Today posted an article written by Saul Levine M.D. in 2017 about how tragedies would bring people together (Levine, 2017). In the article, Levine (2017) stated that human is naturally empathetic when disasters aroused. Levine’s point of view was that because of natural instinct, we would help each other out and by helping each other, we stick together. And because we are families, we stick together.
This is what is going to happen if you don’t enjoy the moment with your families now:
Enjoy while you can!
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