Rare morning of contentment

it's a rare morning of contentment. Working from home amidst the ravaging Coronavirus outbreak, here I am sitting on my terrace, surrounded by the early wave of cherry blossoms, birds chirping in harmony, soft K-pop tune playing in the background, sipping my wonderful jasmine tea with soy milk. Physically checked, I'm feeling fine. What a wonderful feeling to be fine, physically & mentally! To be healthy and light, everyday is a renewed day, even while the whole world is going haywire...

I say 'rare' because my mornings tend to start in a rush, and the day is usually swept up in a whirlwind of activities. I live a busy life, under ever mounting pressure that at times I feel like quitting, or going under water. Thankfully with this Coronavirus, it's a chance to take a step back... Oh I don't want to sound ignorant, or outrageous, as I am fully aware that this is a grave humanitarian crisis. Yet in view of the dark waves rolling over us, what we could do at the individual level is simply to stay at home, stay healthy and stay vigilant. At the same time, stay humble, stay grateful.

I used to have so many big words, big principles, big mantras about life. But for now, only one thing comes to mind: Take it day by day. In the last few years of my 20s, as I was jolted out of my youthful naivete, I've been constantly inundated with so much anxiety and worries. About my lack of potentials, about my 'wasted youth years', about how hard it is to be successful. Or to live freely, do all the things you want to do-- travel, party, fine-dining, see family often, and still have decent savings and investments for the future. Being broke at the age of 30 teaches me many hearty painful lessons about life. It also helps me to be more retrospective and grounded. And most importantly, more patient. One step at a time, one focus at a time, day by day. Live the best day today, and tomorrow will be accounted for.

“...the best possible way to prepare for tomorrow is to concentrate with all your intelligence, all your enthusiasm, on doing today's work superbly today. That is the only possible way you can prepare for the future.” ― Dale Carnegie, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living