Lock down - End it or Extend it.

For those arguing on both sides that we must open now or it is too soon to open - this is the most important thing, you’ll read. 

Here's the question:

When will it be safe to end the lockdown, to reemerge? 
May 1st? May 15th? June? July? August?

Here's the real answer:
Never.
It will never be "safe".

Social distancing, staying at home, all of these measures were not to "cure" Covid-19. 
These were measures to slow it down, so as to not overwhelm our healthcare system.
For the most part, we've done that.
It does not change the virality of Covid, how it spreads from one person to another.
It has no effect on the mortality rate.
It was intended to delay it.
But as soon as we emerge, the virus will spread again and the people with weakened immune systems will still succumb to it.
This is a harsh fact.
The people who missed it this time may eventually get it - regardless of if we emerge on May 1st or September 30th.

We need to protect our healthcare system to handle the load, but we don't need to mislead ourselves over the outcome of this quarantine. 
It is slowing it down, but not curing it.

If you're driving to Pune from Mumbai (or Chicago to New York) at 50 miles an hour or 100 miles an hour, the distance doesn't change.
If your lifestyle is causing you to have a weakened immune system, use this time to correct that.
Otherwise, you've placed a target on your own back.
Now is not the time for indulging in comfort food - it's a time to give ourselves the healthiest, most robust immune system our body is capable of.
Detox yourself and maintain social distancing for the next couple of years. 
It's as simple.
                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The above text is posted as received. 
Let us hope and pray for a vaccine and total destruction of the virus by the heat of summer. 
In the meantime boosting our immune system and safety precautions would be prudent. 
                                   (Sent by a Doctor Friend)

हर ज़र्रे विच सूरत तेरी Har Zarray Vich Soorat Teri

Har Zarray Vich Soorat Teri - Har Pattay tay Tera Naa
                     हर ज़र्रे विच सूरत तेरी हर पत्ते ते तेरा नां 

Click on the blue Link to listen 

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AlSoca96ZMsLh5B2l-400DEMXo_OwQ?e=cKlMiy

WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT

I heard that we are in the same boat. 

But it's not like that. 

We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. 

Your ship can be shipwrecked and mine might not be. 
Or vice versa. 

For some, quarantine is optimal: a moment of reflection, of re-connection. Easy, in flip flops, with a whiskey or tea.
For others, this is a desperate crisis. 

For some, it might be time for introspection - for self-examination  
For others, it is facing loneliness. 

For some, peace - rest time, vacation.
Yet for others, Torture: How am I going to pay my bills?

Some were concerned about a brand of chocolate for Easter (this year there were no rich chocolates).
Others were concerned about the bread for the weekend, or if the noodles would last for a few more days.

Some were in their "home office".
Others are looking through trash to survive.

Some want to go back to work because they are running out of money.
Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.

Some need to break the quarantine to stand in line at the banks. 
Others break it to escape.
Some criticize the government for the lines.

Some have experienced the near-death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it, some are not sure their loved ones are going to make it, 
And some don't even believe this is a big deal.

Some of us who are well now may end up experiencing it
And some believe they are infallible and will be blown away if or when this hits someone they know

Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020.
Others say the worse is yet to come.

So, friends, we are not in the same boat.
We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.
And each one will emerge, in his own way, from that storm.

Some with a tan from their pool. 
Others with scars on the soul (for invisible reasons).

It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance.
Not just looking, more than looking, seeing.

See beyond the political party, beyond religion, beyond the nose on your face.
Do not underestimate the pain of others if you do not feel it.
Do not judge the good life of the other, do not condemn the bad life of the other. 

Don't be a judge. 
Let us not judge the one who lacks, as well as the one who exceeds him.

We are on different ships looking to survive. 

Let everyone navigate their route with respect, empathy, and responsibility.
                                   --Author unknown --

Keeping Anger in the Heart

Keeping anger in our hearts is like holding burning coal on our hands. 
It burns us, not the others. 

Anger is like poison in our body - it kills us, not the others.

Staying angry with others all the time does not help or solve anything. 
The longer we stay angry, the longer we feel hurt. 

Let go of anger, and you will feel relieved - alleviated. 
Keep your space if you want, but give space to others as well. 

Life is short. It's not worth living in anger and negativity all the time. 
We don't know how long we will be here. 
So, why not live in peace and enjoy whatever we have -
by making adjustments and compromising - may it be things, people, or relationships. 

Peace to all. 
          Shanti - Shanti - Shantihi 
                                            ' Rajan Sachdeva '

आस, वादे, ख़्वाब, अरमां Aas, Vaaday, Khwaab, Armaan

आस, वादे,  ख़्वाब, अरमां, आरज़ूएँ, हसरतें 
ज़िंदगी क्या क्या खिलौने दे के बहलाती रही 
                            " बेदिल सरहदी "

Aas, Vaaday, Khwaab, Armaan, Aarzuen, Hasratain
Zindagi kya kya khilaunay day kay behlaati rahi 
                                         " Bedil Sarhadi "

On Cloudy & Gloomy Days

Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun. 
In other words, they “chase the light.” 

Have you ever wondered what happens on cloudy and rainy days 
  - when the sun is covered by clouds? 

You might think the sunflower withers or turns its head towards the ground. 

But, actually, they turn towards each other to share their energy.
Nature’s perfection is amazing. 

Now let’s apply this reflection to our lives. 
Many people may become low-spirited, and most vulnerable ones may even become depressed.

How about following the example of the beautiful sunflowers - supporting and empowering each other?

We can solve so many problems by talking, compromising, understanding, and helping each other.

Wishing everyone the quality and spirit of the sunflowers - turning towards each other on their cloudy and gloomy days.
Nature has so much to teach us.
Spread goodness...it will come back to you.

Roop Rang tay Rekhon Nyaaray रुप रंग ते रेखों न्यारे

रुप रंग ते रेखों न्यारे तैनू लख प्रणाम करां 
Please click on this blue Audio file link to listen

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AlSoca96ZMsLh5BnXrLDjlXVQtDkeQ

ना देखो हिन्दू सिख Na dekho Hindu Sikh

ना देखो हिन्दू सिख मुसलमान कौन है
ये  पता करो दुखी  इन्सान कौन है 
मन्दिर मस्जिद गुरद्वारे में ना उलझो यारो
बस ये पता करो कि परेशान कौन है 

Na dekho Hindu Sikh Musalman kaun hai

Ye pataa karo dukhi  insaan kaun hai 

Mandir Masjid Gurdwaray mein na uljho yaaro 

Bus ye pataa  karo ki pareshaan kaun hai

What is Hindu Culture

This morning, I received a message from Himachal Pradesh, India -  
To describe the Hindu culture.
             
Every culture is a reflection of the thoughts and ideology of its people - its thinkers who had shaped it.

The first and most important aspect of Hindu thought and culture is
         Ekam Satya - Bahudha Vadanti Viprah
Meaning, there is only one Truth - which is defined differently by different teachers - wise and learned scholars.

This thought makes Hindu culture the most tolerant culture. 
It allows Hindus to respect every other culture and not criticize them. 
That's why they can live peacefully in any society and country - along with people from different cultures. 
They can respect and adapt to other cultures quickly and yet able to maintain some distinctive and valuable features from their own culture as well. 

The second fundamental teaching of Hindu culture is:
           Tamaso ma - Jyotir Gamay
           Asato ma - Sad Gamaya
Meaning:  Not darkness, but move towards the Light.
Follow the Truth - Not falsehood.
This doctrine helps Hindus to seek new truths - to embrace new concepts, ideologies, and new scientific theories quickly. This is why Hindus have never been against science or new experiments and discoveries. 

Another significant and fascinating aspect of Hindu culture is the belief that nature is the manifestation of All-Pervading, Almighty God. 
Therefore, they have immense respect for nature and all other beings. 

During my childhood - I remember seeing one unique aspect of my grandmother's daily routine, which was common among all Hindus in the olden days. 
Every day, while making Rotis for the family, she would always keep the first four Rotis aside - one for the Kul-Purohit (Family Brahman priest), one for the cow, one for the dogs, and one for the crows. 

In the olden days, when there were no schools in villages, people would send their children to the Brahmin priest for learning. They never charged any fee for the teaching, nor they had any other means of earnings. People in their Communities would provide them food and other necessities voluntarily - according to their capacity and desire.

However, there is an interesting concept behind cooking and offering food to Cows, dogs, and crows every day. 

Cows are considered sacred - among the higher level of creatures because they provide milk, which suits quite well to humans also. Milk is regarded as a complete diet - as it can provide protein, essential vitamins, and necessary minerals for toddlers and even newborns. 
Now, because the mother provides milk to her children - the cow is granted the same status as the mother - the highest regard. 

Dogs, unlike in the west, were regarded as a lower level of creatures in India - a symbol of greed, violence, lust for territorial control, and hostility toward their own kind. 

Crow is usually regarded as a repulsive ugly creature with an unpleasant tone. 

Every day, four Rotis were kept aside for different types of creatures - from higher to lower - from beautiful to ugly - and from the giver to the violent taker, showing the regard and compassion for all kinds of beings.

Respect for all beings and cultures of other communities - for their beliefs and lifestyle - and urge to explore and adopt new Truths as we advance - are some of the main characters of Hindu culture that make them humble, tolerant, open-minded, and peaceful people. 

In short, following Dharma, the eternal duties, such as honesty, charity, tolerance, patience, self-control, Ahimsa (non-violence), and compassion, etc. are an essential part of Hindu culture.
                                        'Rajan Sachdeva '

The earth whispered but you did not hear

                            Nice write up by Vivienne 

The earth whispered but you did not hear. 
The earth spoke but you did not listen
The earth screamed but you turned her off.
And so I was born...
I was not born to punish you.
I was born to awaken you.
The earth cried out for help...
Massive flooding. But you didn't listen. 
Burning fires. But you didn't listen. 
Strong hurricanes. But you didn't listen. 
Terrifying Tornadoes. But you didn't listen.
You still don't listen to the earth when 
Ocean animals are dying due to pollutants in the waters. 
Glaciers melting at an alarming rate. 
Severe drought.
You didn't listen to how much negativity the earth is receiving.
Non-stop wars. 
Non-stop greed.
You just kept going on with your life.
No matter how much hate there was.
No matter how many killings daily.
It was more important to get that latest iPhone than worry about what the earth was trying to tell you.

But now I am here.
And I've made the world stop in its tracks. 
I've made you finally listen. 
I've made you take refuge. 
I've made you stop thinking about materialistic things.
Now you are like the earth.
You are only worried about YOUR survival.
How does that feel?
I give you fever.. as the fires burn on earth. 
I give you respiratory issues.. as pollution filled the earth’s air. 
I give you weakness as the earth weakens every day.
I took away your comforts.
Your outings. 
The things you would use to forget about the planet and its pain.
And I made the world stop...
And now... 
China has better air quality.
Skys are clear blue because factories are not spewing pollution unto the earth's air. 
The water in Venice is clean and Because the gondola boats that pollute the water are not being used.
YOU are having to take time to reflect on what is important in your life.
Again I am not here to punish you.
I am here to Awaken you...
When all this is over and I am gone... 
Please remember these moments.
Listen to the earth. 
Listen to your soul. 
Stop Polluting the earth. 
Stop fighting amongst each other. 
Stop caring about materialistic things. 
And start loving your neighbors. 
Start caring about the earth and all its creatures. 
Start believing in a Creator.
Because next time I may come back even stronger...
Signed, 
Coronavirus...
And next time don't know how long you will survive........

                               ' Written by: Vivienne R Reich '