As soon as the Covid19 epidemic started to pick up in Qatar, the government decided to close most of the businesses except for those that are deemed essential. We in the Construction industry thought that this decision of closure would soon reach us.

The government decided that Construction, particularly major government projects will not be interrupted and should proceed in full force.

As we are forming a part of these major governmental projects. We were hoping to join the rest of the world in their lockdown, to be safe and peaceful at home, and to reduce our staff and labor’s exposure to any potential spread of the virus.

At first, fear and anxiety were overwhelming, and mental resistance to this government decision was extreme. The more I resisted this decision and tried to wish for a lockdown, the more I  was frustrated and invited more panic on myself and the people around me.

I was watching the news all over the world; friends and family were all staying home, motivational speakers, teachers, mentors were all supporting people into isolation; I felt not belonging to the same experience.

I was somehow envious; majority of the people around the world are sharing their isolation, their fear, and their growing experience brings them closer to one another. Global unity was forming, and I was not part of it.

I was focusing on my work and on the construction progress.

Our client was strict and was not considerate of any delays. They wanted their project delivered on time despite all obstacles, stress, disease, and death.

I woke up one morning to realize that the decision for us to pursue our mission means a lot for this country, for the economy, the purpose, and goal this nation is aspiring to.

All of a sudden, I felt important. I sensed that I am contributing to support the economy. Our efforts and the risks we are taking now will allow many people to return soon to their

work and will be able to pursue their life with ease. I became one of the pillars that if it will fall a cascade of disaster would inevitably follow.

Also, I became a backer of the vision of this nation in hosting the world cup 2022. I became motivated and excited to be a part of that dream where all world nations will come, join each other in joy to watch and play. Indeed, the world is focusing and are united on fighting the Covid19 crisis and its effects.

And I was focusing on bringing and bonding people in joy from all around the world together in 2022.

I became a river fragment flowing from the top of the mountain down to the lake and the sea.

When the river reaches the lake, part of the lake is still, part of the lake is in lockdown.

My destiny is to continue flowing, allowing the water in the lake not to be stagnant, not to become blurry but fresh and full of life. I might hit some rocks on my cruise, but most importantly, I kept on flowing.

I had to rise and to encourage those working with me for their resilience and to acknowledge their courage for not stopping for a day and to be grateful for our offering to others.

I gave us my first story of being a victim of this epidemic and replaced it with a brave story. I might not look brave for many, but what matters is how I perceived and lived my story.

During this crisis, people in the health sector are heroes, they are on the frontline and the protector of our health, and we act in the frontlines of a brighter future in a much greater vision.

I gave this meaning to my experience at work during the past months, and the moment I created this meaning, I felt proud, energized, rewarded, and achieved.

If I looked and searched for the meaning of my life during this epidemic, I would have borrowed someone else or maybe never find one.

I choose to create it, to make it, and not keep on looking for it to find it, and I succeeded.

The meaning of life is created and not found.

What meaning are you giving to your life during this epidemic?