Sarah Warsi

Where did the year go? It seems like just yesterday that we were ringing in 2021. Unfortunately, the pandemic had its own agenda and continued to overshadow the path to ‘normalcy’ this year, but fortunately, with more of the population getting vaccinated, we are starting to finally see that silver lining that has struggled to make itself visible for too long now.

The pandemic has undoubtedly reminded us of many valuable life lessons: exercising more patience and empathy, not sweating and small stuff, and to generally just be kinder to people. Of course, these traits are important to practice anyway, but the past year and a half has only amplified their true meaning.

My ‘glass half full’ moment for today will be the fact that it’s now November and we have yet to see snow in the GTA. (Yes, I’m well aware that I’m likely jinxing it by saying it). In past years, I’ve recalled some very treacherous October snow, so for us to be dry up until now is a bonus. I’ll take it.

As capacity limits lift and things start getting back to a more familiar environment that we have not seen in months, the lasting effects of the pandemic have certainly taken their toll. I liken it to restoring a pre-pandemic life with a post-pandemic attitude. 

It’s the same but not the same.

I still find myself having to be reminded of the fact that I can actually go into a mall to shop for clothing instead of having to guess my size online and hope for the best.

But slowly yet surely, we are coming out of this, forever changed, but also forever grateful. 

Also, this can’t be reiterated enough: you never know what silent difficulties people are facing that have nothing to do with COVID-19. If you have someone on your mind that you haven’t heard from in a while, consider reaching out to them. Your message may be exactly what they need. Wish that person in the elevator a good day. It may do wonders for them.

There is no price to putting a smile on someone’s face.

A quick example: the other day I was at the store and I had several items to bag. Not a big deal at all and it’s something I’ve mastered. However, this time, the cashier was kind enough to come around to my cart to scan the larger items (so that I wouldn’t have to lift them up), and she also bagged virtually everything for me! Now I know this may sound silly, but I find that in the age of COVID and with the rise of self-checkouts, that type of old-school service is rare – especially when it’s busy – which in this case it was. 

Before I left, I made a point to thank her for the help and she beamed with such sincere gratitude. It was really heart-warming.

So as small as it was, it made a big impact. 

The pandemic is the one universal thing that quite literally the entire world has been able to relate to. So let’s inch forward, with a renewed, fresh outlook for ourselves and those around us.

In the words of Robert Ingersoll, “We rise by lifting others.”