A dear friend has tested positive for COVID-19.
Our friend wrote to us:
In continuation of my bad luck, i was tested covid positive. Joined in hospital even though every thing is normal only to safe guard family. This is third day. everything is alright as of now. Family members tested negative. That is good luckFrom this i came to know that bad fortune of mine is still continuing and have to see when will it stop.Just for information only. Nothing to worry i am alright. Doctors also told they will discharge after 5 days.Our reply:
So glad to hear that you’re OK. So glad to hear that the family tested negative. So very glad that you’ll be discharged soon.
It’s NOT bad luck. Not bad fortune. It is biology.
It is statistics. As someone that studied mathematics, you understand numbers better than most. You understand what probability means.
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“Right now, while you are in the hospital, it is the one time in your entire life that no one expects anything from you. COVID patients are usually isolated. Instead of this isolation drawing you into depression or anxiety, you could choose to use this as a voluntary experiment with silence.”
If anything, it is good fortune that you are able to afford a hospital stay. It is good fortune that your body has such great immunity. It is good fortune that the hospitals there are not overfilled as they are in certain parts of the world.
It’s good fortune that you have the money (and/or healthcare or medical insurance) to pay for a hospital stay. It is good fortune that you can miss going in to work for a few days, without having to worry about your livelihood.
It’s good fortune that you are receiving quality medical care.
It’s good fortune that you are able to stay and receive treatment at a hospital, so as to keep your family safe.
It’s good fortune that you have doctors, nurses and all these trained healthcare workers to take good care of your body.
(Shall we go on about your good fortune? ,😀 )
Now, take care of your thoughts – if possible, try to go beyond thoughts. Use these five days of isolation to become totally silent – silence from your vocal cords, silence into your ears (no input from mobile phone or tv)… And most importantly, silence inside your head.
If you can do that, (even a little bit), this COVID diagnosis may turn out to be a fortunate thing for you, indeed.
Right now, while you are in the hospital, it is the one time in your entire life that no one expects anything from you. Nothing at all. No work, no tasks, not even that you would come to the dining table. May we suggest that you experiment now with silence? Initially, it may drive you “crazy”, but that is only because our minds are addicted to all this thought. Mostly unnecessary thought. COVID patients are usually isolated. Instead of this isolation drawing you into depression or anxiety, you could choose to use this as a voluntary experiment with silence. As something that you are excited about, instead of something that has been thrust upon you forcibly. Silence in thought is difficult, but achievable. At least for short duration. That includes silence by staying away from Whatsapp, web, news of family and news about the outside world.
That said, we are here for you if you want to step away from the silence and want to talk. Any time day or night, that you want to talk, just call us.
We have total unconditional love for you, our dear friend.
ప్రేమతో, లక్ష్మీ ప్రభు
This message is addressed to all our friends that are experiencing the effects of COVID-19, either themselves or with their loved ones. And the offer is also valid: experience silence and if you want to step away from the silence, do call us. Any time, night or day. With Love.
