Living In Interesting Times

Either way, the point is not lost. Given the intensely ‘interesting times’ that we are experiencing today, anyone could be forgiven for thinking that some ancient curse is indeed playing out right here and now.

This too will pass

However, as I was at pains to point out in the previous post, there is absolutely no need to succumb to a doom and gloom mentality.

In no way do I wish to minimise the tragic impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on some people and their families or the serious collateral damage inflicted on the economy and, indeed our entire way of life … but, as the Persian adage goes: “This too will pass”.

The flip side

In the same way that there is a silver lining to every other challenge that life presents us with, this unique and truly global challenge has a flip side.

It may be difficult to accept that there can be any good associated with what feels like an unfolding global catastrophe, particularly if you are an avid follower of the news and its seemingly obsessive focus on numbers of infections and deaths.

It takes a disruptive force

But sometimes it takes a disruptive force to bring about a more enlightened way of thinking and a new and more positive approach to life.

The more ingrained our thinking and the more beholden we are to routines and established ways of doing things, the more disruptive the force that is required.

Anyone who is familiar with my writing – and indeed, the psychology of transformational change presented by New Insights in our life coaching and life coach training programmes – will know that I promote the idea of taking time out from ‘life as usual’ to reflect.

Time out

And that is precisely the opportunity that this crisis is forcing upon us in an unprecedented way: time out to reflect and rethink what we are doing, how we are doing it and why.

Who would have thought, just a few months ago, that a whole nation could be put into ‘lockdown’ with most people’s work and life routines being turned upside down for an indefinite period?

This is a disruptive force on a scale that most of us have never experienced before.

Hell in a handbasket, or …?

On the one hand it may seem like our crazy world is destined to ‘go to hell in a handbasket’; that we’ve started on a wild and uncertain ride and there’s not much we can do but hang on grimly.

On the other hand, perhaps we, as humanity, have attracted into our collective experience a very necessary time for the deep reflection that is required to promote a change of our ways.

Macro and micro level challenges

I would suggest that, on a macro level, we are being challenged to reflect on how our way of living needs to change to respect, heal and protect the climate and environment of the amazing planet that sustains our very existence.

At the next level we are being challenged to reflect on how we might design different political, economic and community systems that can bring about a step change in the way we produce and distribute wealth and resources to create a better standard of living for all.

And, at the micro level, each one of us is being provided with an opportunity and time out to reflect on what is is we truly want from life and the nature and scale of the changes we need to implement to bring that into being.

Interesting times

These are, indeed, most interesting times!

The disruption to ‘life as usual’ may seem unfortunate, uncomfortable, untimely and anxiety-inducing right now – the product of an ancient curse, if you like.

Or you may wish to look at it another way – as heralding a chance for a global time out, rethink and reset – an historic opportunity!

Think deeply

If like me, you prefer to see this as a painful but very welcome opportunity, let’s join together in ensuring we don’t let it go to waste!

Stay safe, keep well, think deeply 🙂