Que Sera Sera: Whatever Will Be Will Be

Farzana Contractor believes in living life true to her nature. To uphold her missive – live life simply, honestly – she urges us to regain the old style of stress-free living like our forefathers did. When they knew just how much was enough to be content, happy and healthy

Soon it will be two years since we have been going through tough times. Two tumultuous years. Two years almost cancelled from each of our life spans. Apart from feeling cheated, of being robbed of this time, the sinking feeling is is it going to end any time soon? Or will this feeling of uncertainty just continue… How long will we have to live with this attitude of taking one day at a time? How long before we crack? Many already have. But we have to adapt, accept, understand that it is not in our hands, so why fight it?

I, for one, have adopted an attitude of calm and equanimity. I don’t push myself anymore. On no count. Que sera sera…whatever will be, will be. But that doesn’t mean I have given up on life or my daily routine or my working life. No way. But I work in a certain manner, at a certain pace. I have put deadlines on the back burner. For I have realised that such things don’t matter, not really. So what if my magazines don’t hit the stands on the exact date. Does the world stop spinning? Do people care? Do they even notice? No, to all three questions. And such a relief, that.

If this is a learning from the pandemic, then it’s a good thing. All of us should do it. Question ourselves. It’s the perfect time to do so. What is it that I really want? Meaning, you too. What is it that you really want, ask yourself that. Find your answers. You will see that all of us really want the same things. A simple, happy, uncomplicated life. A supportive family, people to love, care, cherish. A good, comfortable home. A car would be nice. Some decent amount of money in the bank. A job that gives joy, yes, certainly! And friends, true friends we want to be with. Laugh with. Share our joys and fears with. Beyond that, what else? Good clothes? Nah! Jewellery? Don’t think so. Materialism has ebbed. The world has matured in these two years. Or perhaps I am living in a fool’s paradise.

Travel, I have not just put on the backburner, I have banned it from my thoughts. Made a conscious decision to abstain from making any plans, even years from now. By travel, I do mean, international travel. Believe me, the moment you stop thinking of when you will go on your next exotic holiday, the tension is OUT. Gone. I shudder hearing travel stories these days. The stress of the COVID test coming positive, of being quarantined in a foreign land, of fearing whether you will make it home, ALIVE! Just not worth it. I am happy getting in my car and driving somewhere motorable. My pets love the new set-up!

I do hope the whole world, when it wakes up one morning and finds life is back to normal, will have learnt its lessons.

#1. Health. It’s paramount. Make time to take care of yourself.

# 2. Peace and Love. Peace at all cost. Love one another, it’s such a pure feeling. 

#3. Humanity. Let it flow, unthinkingly. If nothing, you will feel good about yourself. 

#4. Compassion. Help the less fortunate. What did they do to be born where they were? 

#5. Equality. Cancel your ego. No one is more or less important. Be helpful. Extend your hand to pick someone up. Not to tear someone up! 

#6. Religion. Is your private affair. Don’t make it public. Respect all faiths. How can one religion be superior to another? Don’t they all teach the same things? Isn’t God one and only?

#7. Hate. Condemn it. At every possible opportunity you get. Don’t allow bigots to influence you. Hate diminishes, always. 

#8. Children. Are our future. Nurture them. Help educate the ones who don’t have the wherewithal. Even if you do so, just one child.

#9. Be content. With your lot. Contentment calms you, makes you spiritual.  You have far more going for you, if you are merely reading this.

#10. Appreciate Nature. The world is too beautiful a place to forego once again. Respect what it offers us. Take care of it and it will take care of you. The sting of the slap this time around should never be forgotten.