How might you develop resilience in order to navigate the current ‘storm’ which is the corona virus?
Is it necessary to resign ourselves to just surviving or can we do better than that?
I believe everything can be seen as a challenge or an opportunity, and this is no exception. Here are some ideas for not only ‘weathering the storm’ but also creating something new and good.
AUTONOMY : It could be easy to feel out of control of your own life and fall into victim mode; waiting to hear how we are being asked to respond to this crisis. It’s important to maintain the feeling of being in charge of your life and your choices. And these choices may include something which, at one level, you do not want to do – and, at another, you choose to implement, for the potential good of the whole. We need to remain in charge of our own lives. That is necessary if you are to make a difference to your future and to feel strong.
PRIORITIES: What is important? How might you spend your energy now that, perhaps, usual routines have, to an extent, been suspended? It may be helpful to hold the following threesome in mind – the wider picture of what is happening in the world and in your locality, your personal wellbeing and that of those you care about, and any spiritual philosophy you may have.
THE WIDER PICTURE: This could involve keeping in touch with what is going on, sifting through what you hear or read and not getting overwhelmed. It could mean volunteering or donating. And, of course, keeping in heart and mind those heroines and heroes at the ‘frontline’ who are working on behalf of all of us and sending gratitude.
PERSONAL WELLBEING: The extra time many have can be regarded as an opportunity to spend it in a different way from usual. It’s good to give some thought as to how you use it. What is best for you? In particular, what lifts your spirits, enhances you, makes you feel good? Denying ourselves does not make the lives of those worse off any better! On the contrary – putting good vibes into the world is a plus for everyone. Creativity, contemplation and kind deeds are some of the many possibilities. And learning and challenging the brain to support mental health. Self-care at this time is vital in order to keep up spirits and to nurture resilience. What does that look like for you?
SPIRITUAL WELFARE: Including some of the above, whatever keeps your spirit strong and reminds you of a higher meaning of life. It could involve quietness, walks in nature or by water; contemplation, mindfulness, meditation; going deeper into one’s own essence and knowing that you can and do make a difference. Paying attention to this is one of the ways which will help us to move forward in an intelligent manner when this time has passed.
THE FUTURE: It’s definitely worth spending some time focusing on what sort of future to create. What changes that are occurring now might we went to carry forward? Two that come to mind are collaboration and community-building, of which there is a lot going on. And what else? How might you be a part of or an initiator of this? Remember you have your unique contribution to make, as does everyone.
WOMEN: We older women have a special role to play. We bring our wisdom, experience and our unique way of being in and looking at the world. Patriarchy hasn’t worked too well. It seems a good idea to try another way – having the courage to bring in our energy, speak our truth and sound our authentic note in the world. Who’s up for it?
‘Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking, so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.———-And, as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our prescence automatically liberates others.’
from Nelson Mandela’s inauguration speech.