The day the pandemic was unleashed on the world, humanity was irrevocably changed. I still hear people talk about "returning to normal", but that's not possible. What they really mean is, "returning to what they knew", because it is human nature to want the familiar, even when it isn't ideal. There is a certain comfort in familiarity. Anything outside of what we class as "normal" can be a very scary thing for most people.
The pandemic affected everyone globally. I suspect that a large percentage of the population is coming out the other side knowing themselves and what they are capable of a whole lot better. That's the great thing about challenge. It makes us dig deep, and we find abilities in ourselves that we never knew we had.
There are more challenges in store for us, partly due to fallout from a fading pandemic, but also sanctions of the war in eastern Europe promise to have significant repercussions on future available energy and food, industry, and supply chains, which will be felt worldwide. We have entered times of extreme flux.
Right now is the perfect time to take stock of yourself, your abilities, the tools and assets you have to work with, much as a company might do a SWOT analysis. For those not familiar with the term, SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Sit down, make four lists about yourself. When thoughts are put down on paper, they become much clearer.
Society has taught us to be too dependent on the state. Yes, we can ask for help from others, and we certainly need to build stronger communities at a local level. We can help each other in immense ways! However, when we hang back waiting for the state to solve all of our problems, we become vulnerable. We must be critical thinkers and problem solvers, taking responsibility for our lives.
Do your self-SWOT, and make yourself the solid rock that you can always depend on. There will never be a better time than now. Paradoxically, change is the one true constant in life, and those who are able to adapt to it are the ones who are able to not only survive, but also thrive.
This is not a time for fear of the future, but rather to take charge, and to feel excited about the opportunity for real and positive change. If that's what we want, we must make it happen.
© SL Hart 2022
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