As I write this piece, a person on the other side of the planet is counting pennies and pounds, worried about their future and the implications of the Post- COVID-19 era. But I am not here to add to the dark or the depressing.
Children who are more playful and less thoughtful about the future are the ones who need more attention and support.
To be honest, there’s been a substantive change within me. When the lock-down started I was one of the few privileged ones who was and (still continues to) work from home. Ten days into the lock-down and the sheen of sitting at the same place and delivering a lecture began to wear off.
Positively. The idea of having the time I spent on travelling and lunch were those few extra hours that I could work on making something new and better. I am now on my fifth book as I write this. I know what I want to write and I know why.
As a teacher, I am constantly innovating on new methods to connect with students, which is why while my methods are unconventional, the lessons stay long after my kids have left the classroom. Inspiring young minds to change the way they look at examinations, academics, and their careers have indeed allowed the teacher within to sit down and think on newer teaching methodologies and more interactions. The Covid era blessed me with that. I took my time off Social Media to re-connect and understand myself, re-define who I am and what I want to do.
Potential careerists are a very sorted lot. They know where they’re going. These are young who need little hand-holding. You need only show them the path and the trick to make it. But what about the others? The little ones, the more dis-oriented, playful ones who live in the now with little care for tomorrow are the ones to worry about. As a teacher, it always worries me when I meet a young adult who says, “I’m not sure.” While we may say that some things take time, not carving your path early on does have its disadvantages.
At 10, I wanted to be an archaeologist, at 13 I decided the U.N was more appealing. While the former thought was relegated into oblivion, the latter continues to have me inspired enough to keep me at the top of my game nurturing the dream day after day; even so, I am still a teacher. And thankfully one who has impacted lives positively over the last decade.
Having at least a fair idea as to where you would like to contribute is important because it tells you who you are, what you believe in, what is your ideology, and what impact you could make in the world. These are important because they align you with the world. They define your niche.
Work on your Ikigai. Work on the blueprint of your life daily. You don’t have to be a hustler, but you need to connect with your own self if you want to make a change if you want to leave a mark, a soul print in the world. Teachers have the foremost responsibility of changing the world for the better, that is a role defined by time and history. What kind of change you will create is another story altogether.
While the lockdown slowly gets lifted in phases, use this time to reconnect with yourself. Ask yourself the tough questions. And do remember, It’s never too late to start over, for today is the first day of the rest of your life.
Give it your best.
All Images Used Are Representational