Man in the Mirror

by Kamran M. Siddiqui

Whilst the epiphany for human suffering in wake of this pandemic is changing the way we lived and take measures that were unthinkable, a self -assessment raised some questions; Should this situation really be a state of epiphany? Am I in some state of denial? or this state of epiphany is really about how not only weak but artificial, self –centered and materialistic I became as an individual? So much human suffering surrounded me; religious, ethnic and territorial wars, economic sabotage, power games, oppression, human suffering and despair all around mostly created by humans. Others, victim of emotional and mental stress caused by never ending inferiority complex fed by various agendas. Where was my concern all this time?

Imposed and created Wars are costing endless lives, destroying earth, civilizations and communities, people dying in occupied territories and denied any rights to even health care facilities, that no pandemic did. Businesses, in pursuit of excellence, advancement, differentiation and luxury contribute their share of adversely impacting not just environment but humanity, creating bigger health concerns and increasing rate of fatal diseases than any “CSR” (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative could make up for. Did we create an imbalance? Why not a state of epiphany for all that I allowed to happen around me?

Perhaps, because it is benefiting and feeding my interest. I am an active member and playing my part in of all this. Thoughts like “This does not affect me”, “This doesn’t concern me”, “Everyone is doing it”, “What can I do” feed my attitude. “At least I am not doing it” is my moral high ground. My own economic benefit blind me from everything and the suffering reaches me only to the extent of sympathy. My capitalist mentality I guess!

History is testament to human suffering including pandemics, but what did we learn? Power hunger and vested interests motivated our behaviors, giving rise to what I call an 'ECONOMIC PANDEMIC'; worse than any pandemic experienced by humanity perhaps. Had we learnt the right lessons, health care workers, educationists and others who build humanity would have been the most respected and valuable workforce. Priority would have been investing in humanity instead of wars, wealth accumulation and symbolizing power.

I feel it fed mentality of scarcity. Today as I do a self -assessment and look around, it is just so identifiable. A big part of me regardless of circumstances; directly, indirectly, subliminally, or succinctly make an attempt to secure my interest; if not always, mostly at someone else’s cost. If nothing else, the cost would be emotions, mental status, financial status or just a compromise. Resulting mostly in a race for my win regardless of whether it is at your win, lose or loss! From a thought leadership war on social media to strategic campaigns and global conspiracies; look at anything.

Deciphering so many facts, made me think if my concern really is for humanity today? Or is it because I see death in the face this concern is strong but may just be a transitory emotion? If it is humanity, why nothing else mattered enough earlier? May be the underlying urgency and worry is to get back to my life and reach out to every means of living the same life of standards and competition I am used to of, with my moral high ground; competing in the new world where economics would be tougher than ever, traditional work opportunities may be less, access to education and healthcare may drop with not many skilled with new ways of working.

Economics and vested interests have prevailed since the inception of this world, however, there were always those who challenged the norms, who went against the tides and opened doors of hope; they lived the mentality of abundance. May be this is our chance to rise as global community with real care for humanity, embrace the rules and principles of societies, equity and empathy given by nature, work for collective interests, let the weaker prevail too. I take responsibility to play the role that I need to play, not just what I choose to; making this pandemic the best thing happening to humanity, making us more human than ever.

Much easier said than done right! As we recover the world would definitely be a different place, like it may have been for people who survived the earlier pandemics followed by the great Wars. What remains to be seen is; would we come out of this as better, balanced and concerned global community or fiercer warriors to win our own battles living the economic Pandemic.

God bless us all!