Many things are beyond our control.
The world response to COVID has proven this in spades.
As a resident of Victoria, and yet again in lockdown, I have deep concerns for those around me for whom this State Government response means they are on the brink of losing their jobs, their businesses, their livelihoods…and possibly their next meals and even their homes.
It is a distressing state of affairs in many ways for the many people who are struggling.
No, we cannot control the Government response.
But can we control our response to the Government?
Yes.
It is an accepted universal truth: our responses to circumstances are, indeed, the one thing we CAN control; it is important to remember this during these difficult times.
For many, the response has understandably been that of fear, powerlessness and isolation.
And yet, experts globally have shown that we have a 99% chance of surviving if we get COVID; so how do we avoid the fears and anxieties from ruining our quality of life?
There is no right or wrong response, there is only the clear understanding of what serves you and what doesn’t.
Fear does not serve me.
Powerlessness does not serve me.
Isolation does not serve me.
I have identified that it is the opposite of these responses that will serve me.
I choose my response to be that of fearlessness, power and connection.
What does this response look like in its actions?
That will be different for each person.
It could be:
- taking the opportunity to understand what fear means to you and the helpful role it can play in your life. Fear is not inherently bad or good but a tool you can use to make better decisions.
- researching and increasing knowledge of that which you fear. Knowledge is power when you harness it.
- writing to Governmental agencies to express your concerns.
- connecting with local charities and services and assisting those in greater need than yourself.
Being mindful of our responses to all the minor events that trigger fears in us during COVID will help us to identify why we behave as we do.
We can then make the assessment of whether we are behaving in ways that are serving us or not, and make modifications accordingly.