Danger and Opportunity
Danger and Opportunity
A few years ago I taught a course called, Crisis Intervention. On the textbook’s cover were symbols indicating the word, crisis. In this language, the characters for ‘danger’ and ‘opportunity’ express the same word. Poignantly, this dual meaning applies as much to today’s global crisis as it does anything else. Could there be a positive angle anywhere to be found amidst this chaos? Since ancient times in periods of disaster, such as we are currently experiencing, great sweeping changes had occurred for both good and ill. With all the recent negative news, let’s focus on the opportunistic aspects of change.
Webster’s Dictionary defines crisis as: “a crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point. So, at this juncture we have a chance to ask ourselves, “If the world is unlikely to be the same in the aftermath of our current adversity; how can we choose to improve it?” Through the losses that come with calamity, many people find themselves reflecting on their truer values and electing to make beneficial adjustments. This defining moment of a global pandemic is exactly where the concept of transformation occurs. Of course, it is the nature of life that ups and downs occur whether one is prepared or not. There is a therapeutic activity used with clients to normalize this concept, and it goes like this… A line is drawn across a whiteboard. Above the line, significant events that had arisen over the course of a person’s life are noted; below the line, they write all the difficult stuff. The lesson reveals that the only control one essentially has is where they focus (above/below the line) and what reactions they ascribe to an event. Concentrating on positives certainly moves one toward the concept of growth. Whereas focus on the negatives creates a sense of fear and withdrawal…THEY choose.
It has been said of the concept of time that all we really have is ‘right now.’ Lockdown provides the gift of awareness for the present moment. Mindfulness concepts seem to be forced on us during our ’staying home’ period, as future projections are basically unknown. During our shelter-in-place, I hear from many who feel they must be productive making use of the open space of time now being offered. Busyness is a coping method that distracts us from our fears of the unknown. But not many consider spending time being unproductive. Consider sharing a list with friends to see who can be the most fruitless in their efforts. With extra time to be available to others; decide who needs you to ’show up’ the most and do it. While you can, lie on the ground with the dogs. Life is currently ripe with prospects for service to others. There are many openings to be courageous leading with heart, compassion and love for those who are suffering. Now is a chance to learn flexibility and creativity in order to adapt to a more contemporary time. People can ponder what is important; kindness, generosity or enjoying togetherness without concern for achievement. Worrying about tomorrow only sabotages our generous present moment. Right now, most people are aware that our culture seems disoriented and fearful. Sadly, there is no inoculation for pandemic anxiety. Therapists recommend you carve out space to express your feelings through art to calm the distraught nervous system. Fear lowers the immune system. There are few words to express notions of an ordeal with which one has no experience. Take a moment to try using art and color to articulate your impressions. Make a habit of movement each day with a walk or bike ride. These days pause to ask, “What do I really want out of life?” Then begin a fresh path toward that end by accepting aligning yourself with the new normal.
Fight the uncertainty related to COVID-19 by staying strong and empowered. Be aware of the positives brought about by revision. Choosing to peer into the evolving possibilities of change, rather than fixating on a loss of the familiar, demonstrates the link between loss and opportunity. Within the crisis of COVID-19 lies a chance to identify and remove boundaries that may have trapped us in times past. For example due to our social distancing experiences, interconnectedness has been improved in our newer ways of working or in personal relationships. Connecting remotely reduces energy costs to the Earth. Needed shifts in food production, agriculture, industry, as well as global economic practices/policies have become abundantly apparent. So, the danger of COVID-19 has revealed the opportunity of just how much the world has needed these changes; the losses could lead to World improvements.