What if these aren’t challenging times – that’s merely our perception?
What if people aren’t really panicking – that that too is just our perception?
What if there is no fear – just the illusion of it?
If we are told something over and over we learn to believe it.
When a child is consistently told he is stupid he grows up believing that – even when it’s not true.
If we keep repeating that these are challenging times, crazy times then we too will believe them.
When we look for realities that support our world view, we will find them. We will find people in fear, people panicking, people breaking the rules and putting lives at risk.
But if instead of repeating that these are challenging times, we instead look at the blessings?
How we are connecting with our loved ones in a way we’ve never done before.
How technological advances mean we can see and talk to our loved ones virtually. Whole groups can meet up from all over the world without having to travel.
Our lives are changing – that is certain.
But how we perceive those changes impacts our experience of them.
We can embrace and welcome them, rising to what we are being called to do.
Or we can rebel and complain and point the finger out.
Each and every one of us is responsible for navigating this global pandemic.
Every time we say “crazy times”, “it’s difficult”, “it’s challenging” we reinforce difficulty and challenge.
Every time we shake our head and complain about people spreading fear and panic – we reinforce fear and panic.
No-one said life would be a breeze.
Humans thrive on challenge – think of all the challenges we voluntarily sign up for – climbing mountains, running a marathon, sailing round the world, swimming the English Channel., doing a Ted talk….
When we sign up for them do we complain how difficult it is? No, we rise to the challenge and grow massively from the experience.
We are all being called to do the same.
That doesn’t mean we should negate our feelings. When we have a shitty day, we can be grumpy, that’s ok. It’s important for us to process our feelings – all of them.
We are on a roller coaster of a ride right now. There will be highs and lows, ups and downs. Embrace them, welcome them, be with them. Make changes where we can. Bring compassion and kindness to those that need it.
As Clarissa Pinkola Estes says in her Letter To A Young Activist During Troubled Times:
“We were made for these times.”
You can read the full letter by clicking on the link below:
