The Covid-19 pandemic has truly changed the world and life as we knew it. It’s as if it has overhauled everything, and brought about a new dawn. Yes, only one invisible virus brought the whole humankind to its knees, thus showing that nothing or no one is more powerful than nature. Everyone is equally affected by this, and everyone’s lives have changed, and that is why we asked our readers what life lessons did Covid-19 teach them.
But, every cloud has a silver lining, and this rings true with the current situation. We asked our readers on the things they have learned during this pandemic and we are overwhelmed with the response.
We have selected a few of the best entries we got. Read on to know the enlightening, and heartwarming things these people have realized about life, happiness, and wisdom and what they have to say about that.
Here Are A Few Life Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic As Shared By Our Readers
Lesson 1 by Angelo Crosby
“As a veteran working in the veterans’ hospital in the assisted living facility for our elderly veterans and seeing that all they have is us because they’re highly susceptible to COVID 19 because of preexisting health conditions. All they have is us, the staff because visitation is cut off because we can’t risk their lives by having people come to the center.
I say all of this to say that I’m grateful that I can still see my family each day and night and get to hug them, but I’m even more grateful that I can help my fellow veterans who depend on me daily, it gives me pleasure to see one particular veteran who I shall call him Mr. X because I don’t want to use his name, but it delights me how his face lights up when he sees me I get him to tell me stories of his time in service and life in general.
This time in the COVID 19 pandemic has given me the assurance that life is indeed precious and a blessing and that we should count it all joy each day and take nothing for granted!”
Lesson 2 by Ann Nixon
“I have let go of obligations that I really believed were important to me and that I would miss. I don’t miss many of my activities. I’m going to be very selective about who I give my time to in the future. It’s also been very interesting to see who’s self-value was based on the opinions of others and external confirmation compared to who’s self-value is authentic to themselves even when no one is watching. It’s been a real eye-opener, internally and externally. People’s true selves, that they have been hiding, have risen to the surface. My life has changed, is simplified, and is clearer.”
Lesson 3 by Missy
“Fortunately I had a spiritual awakening last summer 2019, so I was a little bit more prepared for this pandemic. I have although lost all sense of worry although I do wear a mask when I go out in public to be safe. I have learned to turn things over to God and release them from myself. I have learned that the most important thing is love as there’s a lot of hatred in the world. I have learned not to worry about life insurance and I will never pay for life insurance. I will never need it! I have been shown something! I cannot disclose fully as I have been told not to talk about it. The world will never be the same and it will never return to how it was before.”
Lesson 4 by Maureen M. Figueroa
“In a world where popularity involves likes, swipes, and shares on “socials”, and human interaction frequently occurs online, it is far too easy to portray yourself as something you’re not. However, I have found my most valuable asset is my willingness to be myself…flaws and all.
I am a mental health professional who specializes in the field of addiction and I have assigned a purpose to my own pain by sharing my history of mental illness and substance dependence. By far, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned during this pandemic is that there is absolutely nothing more gratifying than living a life of service. I am praying for the day when “social distancing” is replaced by “social cohesion”. Embrace diversity, celebrate yourself, and accept life’s obstacles as opportunities to live your best life!”
Lesson 5 by Cynthia Shifflet
“Through this pandemic, I have learned to not ever take your loved ones for granted. To be grateful for every day you are given here on earth. Also, to strive to always see the brighter side of things as well as to humbly accept, learn, and grow from life’s lessons. The most important thing I’ve learned is to love even more by extending a helping hand to those who need it. Make your well being a top priority as well as your families. Two is better than one. Love makes the world go round and round. Together we can heal and overcome any kind of storm.”
Lesson 6 by Anonymous
“Respect for every living thing our God has breathed life unto this Earth…we humans are the worst enemy of nature, plundering God’s creations. Stop playing God!
Lesson 7 by Aishwarya
“This is the first time I am writing something. The past few months changed everything. I don’t want to feel the way I am feeling. But I am trying. It’s very hard for me to pretend to be normal in front of my parents. Though they know that something is wrong with me but they don’t know what, sometimes they blame me for my condition. I was a livewire 3 months back, I don’t know how every string of me changed, my feelings changed. I don’t want to feel the way I am feeling. But I am trying. The lesson I learned about self-worth, I always underestimated myself. I learned about self-love, it’s you only you with you. Everybody cares but not enough.”
Lesson 8 by Brutalshark
“I had learned that most of the beings are stubborn with their old practices, and not following norms to keep them safe, and these mistakes when resulting in their own downfall they are blaming all. This time is to cooperate with all because if we are together then we will stand and alone we will fall. Unison is the right way to defeat this epidemic.”
Lesson 9 by Julia Tapia
“Never take your loved ones for granted, because you don’t realize how much you’re gonna miss hugging or being close to them. I just wanna hug grandma again.”
Lesson 10 by Lynn Laveau Lund
“The most valuable lesson for me has been realizing that being in the church has nothing to do with a building. I have been at “church” and in touch with God more in the last four months than ever before, every single day; whether it’s been out on my God walks, sitting at my sewing machine, mowing the lawn, going for car rides, working on a jigsaw puzzle, riding on the bike trails, taking many pictures of nature, cooking, or reading. “
I AM THE CHURCH!!”
Lesson 11 by Florence Forkuoh
“COVID 19 has taught me a lot of things but the one I value the most is what is really important is human health. If you have good health, you have everything, but if you don’t, even your wealth cannot save you from illness…We should value our health over things that are materialistic because COVID doesn’t care if you have millions of dollars in your account, it’s no respecter of people no matter your status, COVID 19 treats us the same.”
Lesson 12 by Maya
“Value people, save money and nothing is permanent.”
Lessons 13, 14, 15 & 16 by Debra Pry
1. “I realize how resilient one can be when everything falls apart. And how grateful that I am to be in this moment. I know everything changes in life, and the most important thing is love. Never waste a moment, because that’s all we really have. Everything else is just things that can be replaced. So forgive and don’t waste a moment on hate. What you give, you get back, and you’ll be a lot happier.”
2. “From the world being shut down and people dying from this Pandemic, it has taught us many lessons. The world may stop, but we all need each other. So many things were taken for granted until the virus came along. Some of us showed empathy to our neighbors by social dancing in the streets. Some started helping one another by making masks or giving out food. Hospitals were full and the streets were empty unless you had a reason. Some had time to think and see the injustice in the world. Protests began and some were in it for the right reasons and some were not. There was good, bad, and ugly.
But there was a change. Nothing is easy in life until it’s done. But, after all the chaos we will be a better nation. We all are in this together and we should cherish these moments before these moments are gone.”
3. “If the Pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to never take anyone for granted and forgive. We are not promised anything in life. Love should be as unconditional as the air we breathe. Too many of us had to say goodbye behind masks or not at all, including myself. Love without regrets, and never waste a moment on hate. You’ll find that you will be happier and healthier. Time is not on your side and it’s time to be happy.”
4. “If anything the Coronavirus has taught me that it’s time to appreciate the little things. The things we take for granted and people. We could lose everything in the blink of an eye. The world showed us we need to slow down and reevaluate what’s important. Nothing is more important than the love we share and the moments.”
Lesson 17 by Nidhi Dargar
“It happened coincidentally that my parents were there with me before lockdown and they had to stay with my family for more than two months. Generally, they don’t come to stay with me as they believe parents shouldn’t stay with their daughter’s family after her marriage.
During this period, I realized the actual importance of parents in life. I love my parents a lot but it happened that I couldn’t give them much time for some or other reasons. The excuses were my job, my daughter’s studies, my in-laws’ family, or my other priorities.
I felt their unconditional and selfless love and care which I couldn’t return them after my marriage. I realized that I ignored their feelings towards me always. I took them for granted and they didn’t let me feel that I was neglecting their wish to see me, to talk to me, or to be with me.
Had this pandemic, corona not occurred, I would never have understood the true meaning of parents’ love towards their children. After my realization, I started recognizing their efforts to make me and my family happy, to love them back, to do little things for them, to show that I’m there with them always. I got this feeling that how would I survive if they won’t be there with me. The fear of losing them disturbed me now and then. I realized that nothing can make me happy in life if they would not be there. No one in the world can fill up their place in my heart. I would be weak and down without them.
I love them a lot and I want them to be there with me forever, ever and ever…”
Lesson 18 by Ashni Nagpal
“Our world drastically changed this year. The hustle of everyday life suddenly stopped, little things we took for granted, our daily routines, simple things like going for a walk everything was challenged by a pandemic- so powerful that the whole world went silent but it created intense chaos which never seems to end. It has changed the way we see and survive in this world by being grateful for every second we breathe here and in fact, we are still alive is indeed a blessing. It made us slow down and appreciate life and our loved ones.
The ego traps, anger, and greed are just lame. The facades we project in society are broken. We have learned nothing is more important than life. We are eternally grateful for the dedication of doctors, nurses, policemen, firefighters, janitors, and store workers during this pandemic. The force of this virus doesn’t see any color, gender, or country. It has forced us to work on our hygiene more efficiently. The coronavirus overall has given us a new way of life to live, survive, appreciate, and most important love more. Being kind, empathetic, compassionate, and love is the only way we start living now.
Love will heal this world. After every darkness light has to come after every pain there is healing. This was a warning for us to be HUMAN. It will end soon and go away. Let’s just make this world more beautiful again by living peacefully and united. “
Lesson 19 by Angel Durbin
“Being in quarantine and furloughed from my job left me at a loss. I understand work and rules as well as never-ending hours. You see it’s who I was, it’s all I knew. Never seeking a peaceful moment makes the dollar just survive. I learned a valuable lesson about myself in quarantine, I’m enough! I am creative for myself not work. I write, I paint and I set up my own studio. I’ll go back to work that is certain but I will live to be happy and to make others feel the same. Quarantine has taught me work is financial it’s not who I am.”
Lesson 20 by Vandana Singh
“The biggest lesson I learned is how fragile life is that the entire humanity surrendered in front of an invisible microorganism! The virus overpowered and brought almost every aspect of human life to a standstill. However, despite facing uncertainties, fear, and vulnerability, humans are thriving throughout with timeless core values as tools of survival- hope, patience, solidarity, and compassion!
The pandemic is a warning, an alert, and at the same time an opportunity to reimagining the individual and social fabric in all its dimensions. I learned that life has uncertainties and we might fall short in the wake of sudden changes. I learned that our magical planet earth has everything to offer us to meet our needs but human greed is infinite! Sapiens has to bring about fundamental changes in the way they look and perceive life which is not about accumulating things, it is about sharing & caring, it about relationships, it’s about stretching hands to hold each other…its about being compassionate and mindful in our thoughts, emotions, and actions!!
The pandemic has given that one more chance to reflect where humans are heading, what should be our priorities and how are we defining our purpose of life to make it more fulfilling. The current crisis shall open new portals to redesign a novel world based on humane values to lead a sustainable and mindful life…I am ready to enter through the gateway…”
Lesson 21 by Mishka (8 years old)
“I learned in Covid 19 that we should love and appreciate our friends and never fight.”
Lesson 22 by Meghna Ram
“It’s a year of Survival. One thing I realized was how to utilize each day to its fullest. Time is precious. Learnt many things. I just realized how strong I am. Whatever happens, happens for good. Life goes on. Face it bravely. Live happily no matter what. Also, spend time with your family. Nature is the best teacher. It teaches everything that a human has to know. Nature costs nothing. It gives everything. Be kind to Mother Nature. Love Mother Nature.
Lesson 23 by Kanisha
COVID-19, Coronavirus, Quarantine, Lockdown, Self-Isolation – they were the new terms ever heard in my life journey. Well, talking about life lessons they were plenty but to be more specific I am actively engaged with the Parent Circle community. With that idea on my mind, I with my society children accomplished those activities with a challenging spirit on virtual media.
Lockdown 1.0 that was of 21 days was overwhelming for parents and children. That was the time to reconnect with family and share the strongest love bond. The challenges were made up of the children’s team versus the parents’ team. We four teams participated enthusiastically. The role and responsibilities of a parent were shifted to children through proper guidance and communication and vice versa. The purpose of this 21-day challenge was to experimentally learn the art of empathizing while bonding with family members.
Our Mindfulness game began on the following:
- Conscious level: The task was on doing the household work of mothers by children and for parents to create something from the old toys of their children. This level taught us an important life lesson on our mind consciousness. We were feeling extremely happy and good by sharing one after another experience.
- Focus and Observation: The task was, for children to prepare a list of the things that are needed after the lockdown opens and for parents to observe the curiosity of their children throughout the day. This task taught us life lessons on focus, observation, feelings that were quite peaceful and relax due to controlled thoughts and emotions.
- Effective Time Management: The task was for children to prepare a graph of the events that can’t be forgotten to date and for parents to draw a family tree on a paper or chart and describe two special qualities of each member. The lesson here we Learn was boosting the brain memory with effective utilization of time.
- Choosing out of many alternatives: The task was, for children to find interesting information from news, share with parents and write it down, and for parents to pick any one subject book of children and share some life lessons to their kid. We learned from this task that out of so many ready information available, the power lies in selecting the best.
- Importance of seeds and plants: Here, The task for children was to explain which tree you like and why? For parents to explain the importance of seed to their children. The lesson we learn is of how sowing and reaping on our own thoughts mould the direction later in our lives.
The above few lessons are vital lessons that we learned. Likewise, we did more than thirty tasks one day at a time. At the fixed time, in the morning the task was given by me on WhatsApp, and in the evening we shared our experiences in the comment box.
All in all, we took valuable lessons by doing the challenging tasks each day without judgment rather with a lot of enthusiasm on following the instructions like clapping hands, giving energetic smiles, parent and child pat their back, and so on.
Lesson 24 by Vijeta Harishankar
“The whole world had looked forward to the year 2020 with the same zeal and enthusiasm. Nobody, in their wildest of their dreams, must have imagined how it would actually turn into.
Pandemic! That too in the 21st century! Unimaginable, isn’t. But that’s what we all are witnessing. This pandemic has taught me so much about Life. And if we look at it, all of us have so much to learn from the current predicament.
- Expect the unexpected: Life is surreptitious in its own ways. All of us believe in setting goals, planning the execution part of it, working towards it etc.etc. But, do things always happen accordingly? Life has its ways of giving us surprises. So, remember in Life, Life is the Boss! This reaffirms the proverb ‘Man proposes, God, disposes.’
- Basics for Survival: Don’t you agree! We dream, save, and spend so much on luxury, but the fact is, for survival only minimal is required. And each of us is capable of it. This is one of the biggest lessons of this Pandemic.
- Don’t mess with nature: Nature is calm, loving, giving all the time. You try messing with her, she knows how to show you your place.
- Don’t underestimate anyone: Never have preconceived notions or be prejudicial about anyone. When the WHO announced about Covid-19, initially no one took it seriously. It took us a while to digest the fact that it is real. I’m truly amazed to know the power of an invisible creature, which has created so much havoc.
- God exists: If the virus Exists, so does God, both are invisible yet have the power to unleash their presence at the least expected time.
Lesson 25 by Gayatri Shenoy
“Sitting in the comfort of my home, I realized that there were so many out there with no means of sustenance and homeless. And ironically, they talk about social distancing! Introspection became a byword in this time of isolation. So many things we took for granted starting with the freedom to move around without any restrictions, bonding through touch, and a hug. All these have become a remote possibility. Humility too that such a small thing as a virus could wreak so much havoc and claim so many lives. That man stands helpless with no respite in sight.”
Lesson 26 by Shahrever Mehenty
“I have learned that attachments are all temporary, what is permanent is only our spirituality, our God. I have learned to be more religious and to have more faith in our Lord, as also spend time with the ones who truly love us and love them back, instead of wasting our time on the ones who don’t even care about our love for them.”
Lessons 27 & 28 by Shubha Bhandarkar
1. “One of the most important lessons to learn from this pandemic is “Humility”.
The slogan “Save Earth” is the slogan of human arrogance. The planet existed billions of years ago and will continue to exist for billions of years or more. We cannot destroy it. If we overstep our limit, the planet may erase the human race from its surface and carry on existing.
The planet needs not even resort to anything catastrophic like a huge earthquake, giant tsunami for this purpose. An invisible virus has managed to keep the whole of mankind on its knees. It has taught us that humans are not necessary. The sky, earth, water, air, and nature are fine without us. These elements give us life and every breath of our life is dependent on them. We are not the master of these elements but only their humble recipients.
2. “One of the most important lessons to learn from the pandemic is the importance of “Hope“. We all should be prepared for the long-drawn battle with the virus. It is only possible if we hold the flag of hope high. You never know how life can transform in the blink of an eye. We should be proactive and not be afraid to evolve when we have to.
Let’s get used to the new normal.
All of a sudden our humble home has turned into an institution in itself. It is where we work from, where our children get their education. It is where we can order our essential things from. It is where are cooking and serving restaurant like meals and dining with our whole family. It where we are back to taking up new hobbies. It is where we exercise, do yoga and workouts. It is where we connect and socialize with people outside using chats, online video portals, attend webinars, etc. Yet it is where we celebrate solitude, introspect, and evolve. It is where we are safe with hope in our eyes!
Let’s bring more stillness in our lives. Let us do what we can do to preserve nature for our own survival. Lets us not take our health and near and dear ones for granted. Let’s do whatever we can to help each other during this crisis and uplift the spirit of the health care workers who are tirelessly fighting the virus.
Let us strive and survive to keep the flag of “Hope” high so that decades later, we can tell our grandchildren, this story of ultimate triumph in abject despair!”
Lesson 29 by Avni Katakkar
“The pandemic and extended lockdown had it’s own good and loss.
To talk about the good, that I learned in the past few months is that:
- In today’s world where most of us are addicted to junk food/restaurant food, the past few months made us try all the recipes at home. We savored everything made at home.
- We have learned not to take our health casually, from drinking warm water to doing yoga & exercise, we took good care of our fitness.
- The forever busy us got some much-needed family time.
- The happiness on faces of kids seeing both the parents at home was altogether a feast.
- We learned the importance of hygiene and pure air.
- The majority of us have learned that materialistic happiness and show off doesn’t last long. Happiness lies in small things in life.
- Above all we learnt about the survival of the fittest.
Talking about losses during last few months:
- We have lost their jobs to the COVID crunch and we realized, without running too much after money, we can still survive.
- We learned to show empathy towards the needy.
- We learned to share, may it be pain, struggle, or joy.
- We learned to face the worst may it be fighting family trauma during the lockdown or may it be fighting for the society.
- We learned not to panic, even in the worst situation.
Last few months have really been hard on all of us. We all gave a fight in some or the other way and we have definitely come out of it with flying colors.”
We hope these stories, and lessons made you feel a little warm on the inside, and more grateful about life. Let us know in the comments below which life lesson did you related with the most.
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- 5 Lessons That This Crisis Taught Us
- 12 Key Lessons To Learn from the COVID-19 Pandemic
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