7 quotes for living life in lockdown

The pandemic has been with us for what seems like an eternity. Faced with an uncertain future that changes every day from “turning the curve” to “here’s another spike” and the promise of more lockdowns, here’s some quotes that have helped me get through Melbourne’s 4th such lockdown.

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

1. A healthy man wants a thousand things, a sick man only wants one.
   — Confucius
   This quote is what I try and hold in my head every morning. There’s a reason for the lockdowns during a pandemic and it’s to prevent the sickness that we see from what the pandemic is producing. The lockdowns make us all yearn for many things, but that just simply shows which side of the quote you’re on.
2. ‘I don’t have time’ is just another way of saying, ‘It’s not a priority.’
   — Naval Ravikant
   If lockdowns have done one thing, it’s to give many of us some extra time. Everyone’s situation is different of course, but it should make you ask yourself whether those things you put off are because of an issue with time or because they’re simply not a priority…
3. My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon. — Mizuta Masahide
   Covid-19 has given us a year where almost nothing has gone to plan. It’s the metaphorical barn on fire. But just like the allusion of the last quote, there maybe silver linings worth counting. Whether it’s more time with the family, a simpler life or just more time to focus on the things you deem important, at times of crisis, it’s still important to look for the positives.
4. If code scripts machines, media scripts human beings, even in ways that we don’t fully appreciate. — Balaji Srinivasan
   Global events make for great headlines and a constant stream of news. If you’re anything like me, the past year or so has meant you’re much more tuned in to the media to stay updated. This is very useful, but the media are in the business of capturing attention and it’s prudent to realise how much you’re being shaped by what you consume.
5. Time obliterates the fictions of opinion and confirms the decisions of nature. — Cicero
   In uncertain times, voices and opinions are at a frenzy. It does not take long to find two experts providing opinions to do exactly the opposite course of action to the other. Remember that a lot of this is simply that: opinions. Pandemics have come and gone before. If I had to chose a filter, I’d do so with the lens of history and see which opinions would’ve worked with the benefit of hindsight of the previous pandemics.
6. Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
   — Muhammed Ali
   These trying times mean that there are probably many far less fortunate than you, dear reader. Helping others is always a virtue but especially in these trying times, the smallest act can have the most profound impact on those less fortunate.
7. When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
   — Marcus Aurelius
   Just like the first quote in this list, as difficult as things maybe, remember what a privilege it is to even be able to have the simplest of things…

With that, I wish you health and safe travels through these turbulent times. You can find more of my writings and projects in The Sunday Surprise newsletter and my website.