Meditation class student/N.H.

Things I am thankful for

COVID 19 brought the whole world a tremendous, endless disaster, it changed the world, it changed me.

Under “shelter in place” policy, we confined ourselves in home for more than eight months. During the pandemic period, the only shopping I did was buying food from supermarkets. I gradually got used to this simple, quiet lifestyle and enjoyed it. I almost forgot I used to stick to department store, mall-shopping. Meanwhile I surprised to find my house was crowded by a lot unnecessary stuff which were bought before because of attractive advertisements like “on sale”, “discount”, “coupons”….Thanks for COVID-19, it cut my bad shopping habits. Even now stores reopen, the advertising is more attractive, my desire to buy something is low because I know I have more than enough. I wish the three poisons: Greed, Anger and Ignorance in my mind could reduce more.

I got another understanding from COVID-19. Now when I go out wearing a mask, I know it protects me also protects other people, that means it benefits others also benefits myself. Therefore, I understand Bodhisattva ideal could be done by little, tiny things like wearing masks, it is not a far away, unreachable goal.