Many of you are aware that the Chinese word for crisis contains two symbols, one meaning danger and the other opportunity. This suggests that even in troubling times there are possibilities for growth and positive change depending on how we perceive and respond to a situation. Some people automatically react to the danger and can become over whelmed with emotion, while others respond to the opportunities offered by the situation. Changing perception is a powerful tool and asking the question “What can I learn from this?” intentionally shifts your perception to focus on the possible opportunities.
In The Once and Future King, the wizard Merlin says “The best thing for being sad is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of the baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn.” Cultivating curiosity rather than jumping to conclusion stimulates new thoughts that can shape your future in the direction you choose rather than simply reviving old thoughts and behaviors. Getting involved in the learning process can disrupt patterns of anxiety and depression, especially if you are learning about something that excites you. Remember that the main difference between anxiety and excitement is what you are thinking; both share the same physiological process in the body.
Cultivating curiosity in response to a crisis does not mean you ignore your feelings or the possibility of danger. For example, if you experience a major loss, you need to take time to grieve. But you don’t need to take up residence in grief and live there long term. The opportunity that eventually unfolds here is to observe your grieving process and learn how to move it forward. Awareness about yourself and how you operate creates openings to make desired changes in your life. Talking out loud to someone who knows how to listen and who holds your best interests can be a safe and powerful way to facilitate this. It may be hard initially to step outside your comfort zone to do things differently, but as mentioned in the August Tidbit, that first step is an important key to emotional growth.
“In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity” Albert Einstein
For more on this subject, read the article “When Life Bends the Pattern….” under the Extras heading on this website.
In The Once and Future King, the wizard Merlin says “The best thing for being sad is to learn something. That is the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honor trampled in the sewers of the baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn.” Cultivating curiosity rather than jumping to conclusion stimulates new thoughts that can shape your future in the direction you choose rather than simply reviving old thoughts and behaviors. Getting involved in the learning process can disrupt patterns of anxiety and depression, especially if you are learning about something that excites you. Remember that the main difference between anxiety and excitement is what you are thinking; both share the same physiological process in the body.
Cultivating curiosity in response to a crisis does not mean you ignore your feelings or the possibility of danger. For example, if you experience a major loss, you need to take time to grieve. But you don’t need to take up residence in grief and live there long term. The opportunity that eventually unfolds here is to observe your grieving process and learn how to move it forward. Awareness about yourself and how you operate creates openings to make desired changes in your life. Talking out loud to someone who knows how to listen and who holds your best interests can be a safe and powerful way to facilitate this. It may be hard initially to step outside your comfort zone to do things differently, but as mentioned in the August Tidbit, that first step is an important key to emotional growth.
“In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity” Albert Einstein
For more on this subject, read the article “When Life Bends the Pattern….” under the Extras heading on this website.
RSS Feed