We are down with COVID 19, Aarti and I. The kids are ok. In fact they are having the time of their lives. It's only Day 6 of symptoms and we are really fortunate to have them really mild. A little body ache and light fever in the first few days. Now its mainly weakness and tiredness we are dealing with.

One interesting side effect is that we've obviously stopped our house helpers from coming home. What this means is that the dishwashing, house cleaning, clothes washing, etc now has to be done by us. Food is being sent to us by our family.

I've only just begun helping around the house. Not for any other reason other than the fact that I lived in blissful oblivion of all that needed to be done.

I've done the dishes a few rounds, I've swept the floor a few rounds, and a little bit here and there. I've only handled maybe 10% of the work around the house so far. As I soaped down the dishes, and arranged the kitchen, I couldn't help but experience a meditative quality to the activity. I felt centered. I felt almost thoughtless. I was enjoying every little action. I really enjoyed it.

Now, I know what you are thinking. "Wait until you have to do it everyday, and then see just how meditative it feels!"

Got you, didn't I?

This brings me to the thought that inspired this piece - 'what if I could do everything in my life, even the routine mundane stuff, as if I was doing it for the first time ever?'

What if I could have a bath everyday as though it were the first time ever?

What if I could look at my children's' faces as though it were the first time ever?

What if I could enter that zoom meeting as though it were my first time ever?

What if I could go out for a run as though it were my first time ever?

What if I could tap into this keyboard as though it were my first time ever?

What if I could drink a glass of water as though it were my first time ever?

Makes think that maybe our memory is the culprit. If I could give a little less attention to my memory, I could enjoy every experience for the first time ever.

If I could pay less attention to the argument we had 6 months ago.

If I could pay less attention to the the rejection I faced.

If I could pay less attention to the tiredness I felt yesterday.

If I could pay less attention to the failures I faced.

If I could pay less attention to the things that irritated me.

Then maybe, I could experience that meditative feeling in everything and every moment!