2020

certainly will be long remembered. a yr when the unimaginable happened

passenger carried by our flag carrier dropped almost 99%, once an int’l uk bank ‘turned red”, hk / govt. become so unrecognisable and unbelievable in only 1+ yr. , what we used to enjoy or even take for granted disappeared so fast that it seems we have jumped collectively to another parallel universe over night!

masks, measuring temp., social distancing… become the new norm, operating hours of shops and restaurants vary all the time, new rules implemented any time, mandatory screening, or be moved to quarantine centre.. all just by the decision of the very few at the top / “experts”

structure / prudent procedures / policies that were once followed dissolved. .. making everything so arbitrary / random / positively, fluid! hahhaha

we all learn to be very flexible. grateful, for what we still can enjoy each day, knowing things might change dramatically over night.

hopefully business owners/ mgrs / planners also learnt great lessons.

there is a 2-storey mall we have been visiting for 20+ yrs. i used to enjoy the natural sunlight from the big ceiling. it was then at quite a “remote location” with a department store and shops selling middle priced items.

over the yrs nearby areas a lot more developed. buses shipped customers from mainland. carpark always full esp. weekends.. traffic jam during sales…

then the property owner decided to shut it down for a few yrs to add 1 more floor, with a lot more retail space, yet most shops and the mall almost window less, low ceiling, no daylight, nor fresh air…

result : high concentration of people in big enclosed area thus very high health risks. already a few confirmed cases.

the shopping experience is totally different also. most customers do not enjoy stay long in pressured / “trapped” zone with no natural sunlight.

i hope mgt. have learnt that more retail space not necessarily mean more business, and a socially responsible enterprise should not set profit as the only target

another mall at prime tourists destination also closed down for big renovation for a few yrs. again, re open this yr, and replaced most middle ranged shops / restaurants with high end ones.

some already closed down probably due to high rent and insufficient customers. others replaced…

positively, this is a yr when the wheel of fortune finally turns. what once considered gold mine, thus so used to ripping off customers, hardest hit.

we no longer put so much attention to our appearance but health

people re connect with nature, spending more time outdoor instead of shopping

unnecessary gathering thus gossips cut down. the mass forced to spend more time with oneself / only a few stead of big group, hopefully better re connect with our inner self / true essence…

eating no longer a social event but a necessity. cutting down waste of foods

buffets, banquet… all banned or limited … mother earth probably very happy 🙂

chained cafe that once seldom cut price, now offer daily discount after 7 p.m. instead of throwing unsold items away…

a lot of good things r happening despite the “bad” on the surface.

we treasure what we used to enjoy a lot more when it is taken away.

it’s a great yr for deep reflection, higher consciousness, letting go of what do not serve us good anymore / bad habits, appreciating what we still have / can do, setting new goals, raising standards for the highest good of all…

may we all become wiser, stronger, more resilient, big hearted… shedding the old, to welcome the new earth.

Sat Nam Deep I

Namaskar