25: Blessings and Yearnings from 2020

The new year of 2020 started with anxiety; the news that a virus was spreading across the world. By the end of January, we found out it had reached Dubai. In the following two months, we were watching the number of cases rise rapidly – it was a cricket score board! We had no idea that we’d have to go into lockdown, and when that did happen I simply could not believe that I could not leave home. I witnessed for the first time that the ever-busy Sheikh Zayed Road was empty. 

But there it was – entire nations under lockdown. This was a big challenge to me. I am in the business of helping companies establish themselves in the UAE. While I have several colleagues to help me, there are some things that my clients rely specifically upon me for. Several important documents entrusted with me by my clients (including their passports) had to be managed and administered. There was no way I could let them down and I continued to do my best working online to support them. My days were busy with several phone calls and enquiries. 

After the initial shock, I realized that this was a great opportunity to spend quality time with my family. Friendship, even if virtual, was beautiful. Thanks to Zoom, we began connecting with friends and family across the world and taking comfort from the fact that we were all in it together. By connecting with others, we began to forget our pain and worries. We sang together, teased each other and played like school students!

In March 2020, one of my school friends suggested we make a song on Corona. A friend named Rajesh asked me to write about the spread of Corona in Malayalam. Since I had time on hand, I scripted a few verses. Leo, another friend and an excellent editor gave the script his gracious touches. However, the verses themselves did not seem to lend to song. Then came along Mohanan who took it upon himself to put the verses to melody. Manoj also joined in and added music. We launched the song together with all our team members from ‘Dhalam’ – our organization of 10th grade school members. To me, this was an awesome experience for all to work together and a blessing to have my own creation come to life and shared on YouTube. You can listen to the song here: https://youtu.be/H2-lgfe47PE

We got even more ambitious and decided to make a short film and I’ve shared the concept with my friends. This was also an awesome experience and you can watch from here https://youtu.be/iFc9KasFWFs

Under normal circumstances, we would not have even dreamed doing something like this. That’s why the time during 2020 was a blessing. 

During the lockdown, I was also supported by my business group members from BNI, and especially BNI Champions. Everyone made a tremendous effort to connect with and help each other. Though our meetings went online, we were still able to sustain our businesses and those of others. In fact, some of our members had the best year of business in 2020. Another initiative I took was to join the Mastermind team. I initially felt hesitant to join this group but with Mr. Muneer’s persuasion I did, and realized the benefits immediately even during the lockdown. I began to transform myself, I started the habit of reading books (including some powerful titles in English), I set goals to lose weight and gain more knowledge. My accountability parter was with me all along this journey of change, together with Muneer and his insights from Tony Robbins. I took on a lot of challenges and began to expand more. Today, we represent the Dubai Economic Department and have increased our number of staff. 

There are some things I missed in 2020 though. I could not meet my father this year. I missed the marriage of my brother’s daughter. Every Tuesday (including the once coming up) I missed and still miss the in-person BNI meetings at the World Trade Center Club. There were a few challenges in the business but these were overcome by the grace of the Almighty. 

On this note, I send my gratitude out to all my friends and clients who have supported and believed in us. May the coming year be kind to all of us. And that we will come out from the virtual world to the real world where we can see and touch all. 

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