Rising YouTube phenomenon Ahmad Atieh, a young Muslim American with a brave dream of making the world a better place for the Islamic community, has a message for everyone going through the motions in this pandemic.
“COVID-19 has become a landmark event in our contemporary world civilization, affecting most if not all of us on the face of the planet.
Lives have been lost. Livelihoods have been lost. Life as we know it has been changed forever. We live on.
In our fight against the pandemic and the devastating consequences it has had on our people, economy and future, we should not forget that change that is capable of tremendous impact can come from within, the acts we do every day and the ways we unite during adversity.
Change from within
Positivity can profoundly affect our lives simply because it can generate happiness. Staying positive is not ignoring the bad things around us and forcing (or faking) a smile; it is rather the act of tapping into ideas and emotions of optimism and determination:
Connect with your family and friends (in safe ways) to establish a sense of togetherness. Offer support in ways that you can.
Improve your home and living even if it means only little by little. Cut down on bad habits, repair things and clean rooms.
Stay away from negativity – this includes social media and the news. No, you will not miss anything of too much importance if you limit your exposure to them to a minimum.
Acts of positivity
Donate: the lockdown has made it clear that there are people in need, now more than ever. Whatever you can, in whichever ways you can, donate.
Work on your physical health: exercise, even small amounts of it can add up to great benefits over time.
Work on your mental health: relax and consume content that is uplifting. My YouTube channel that I run alongside my friend Mustafa Hussain is the right entertainment for you in this regard.
Learn something: be it anything – singing a song, a scientific phenomenon, or an animal behavior – give yourself the satisfaction of having done something productive each day.
Think about your career: Seek the advice of your boss and peers at work about your doubts, fears and aspirations in terms of your career.
Uniting for the good fight
Humans are social creatures; though the lockdown situation has resulted in norms like social distancing, we can do our bit to reduce the distance – virtually. We may have been used to strong interconnections at work and home taking place one on one, but bridging the gap now if thoughtfully done can work wonders.
Use the power of social media for good to organize local communities on platforms easily accessible and usable by the elderly. Keeping the older generation in mind will ensure that the no else younger should have a problem using the network for help or support.
Just the sheer idea of belonging to a group that knows and cares about us can have a positive effect.
The time has come for us all to join hands as one and come out of this monumental challenge successfully. For those reading this, I wish for you all the best.“
