It is said that the quality of our life is in direct proportion to our ability to handle uncertainty. For many, it may appear there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding our lives at this time. Here’s what we can do to help ourselves and one another.
H.E.L.P.P.
H – Have compassion for others and their perspective of a given situation. Not everybody is going to see things the way we see it. We must do our best to not judge another’s perspective, but rather seek to understand it. Perspective is different than the truth. Truth contains many different perspectives which include ours and theirs. Have compassion for ourselves. We may not have prepared for what has come about. There may be a glut of should haves, would haves, and could haves swirling in our mind. It is what it is and it takes what it takes to move forward. Trust you have what you need in this moment to move forward and take it moment by moment as you make good choices.
E – Embrace resources. Rather than ridicule what we may see as a lack of resources or resourcefulness on our part or on other’s part, let’s take inventory of how abundant the resources are at this moment. Throughout history, people have proven within every adversity or obstacle lies the raw materials for its solution or breakthrough. See beyond the scotomas.
L – Love what is. We may not always be able to dictate the situation or circumstances in which we find ourselves. However, we always have the power to choose the healthiest perspective from which to operate. All difficulties provide the opportunity to rise up. It is helpful to recognize what is in our control and what is not. Let’s do what we can to the best of our ability. Allow and support others to do the same. For if we all directed our energies to do so, rather than finding fault, we could not help but be further along and feel better about things.
P – Place or project emotions accordingly. People only complain about things they think should be different but are not willing to take on the risk to make it so. Making another person wrong doesn’t make us right and won’t improve a situation. When we feel scared, fearful, or hopeless we tend to be reactive. When we feel certain and hopeful we are creative. Look at the two words – ‘reactive’ and ‘creative’ in the previous sentences. They contain the same eight letters. However, when we move the “c” we get an entirely different meaning. Let’s notice our focus on what we are seeing. How we “see” it affects how we “c” it. Gratitude is an excellent starting place.
I’ve heard it said, “What we say to ourselves before we look at something determines what we see.” I am reminded of the statement by Albert Einstein, “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” Let’s look for the evidence that will support what we desire.
P – Plan your next best actions. The boxer Mike Tyson said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” Perhaps we need a plan for when that happens as well. What’s on your list to get done that will bring you more peace and certainty. Do your best to make progress on that list.
Remember, feeling hopeless leads to acting or being helpless and feeling hopeful leads to acting and being helpful. Let’s reclaim our power in this moment and do our best to be helpful to ourselves and others.
Make it up, make it fun, and get it done!