As a universe of people, I feel we are collectively more scared and angry than we have been for a long time. I don’t have empirical proof of this. Just anecdotal evidence based on shards of sharing. The out pouring of feelings on social media. The two minutes in a conversation, when someone I am speaking with feels safe enough to share with me what’s really going on. The shards show through. There is fear. Pain. Anger. And a host of other difficult emotions. Rippling below the surface.
In this sharing I find hope. It takes a small shift to move from ‘Scared to Cared’. Remove the ‘S’ from Scared and you are magically left with ‘Cared’ – that’s what I feel the world wants right now. To feel ‘Cared for’ not Scared. This is the difficult part. How to care for others when I am fighting my own fears. This is also the beautiful part. In doing just that is the way forward. In finding the way to care for family, colleagues, clients, community, country and the world, I believe each one of us will find our way through. Moving from scared and scarred, through to the other side, of caring and being cared for.
Find something or someone you care about. Devote time and energy to that and there is not just light at the end of the tunnel but often a rainbow. The need to be care-full and care-free can co-exist. Creativity and solutions emerge from a positive space. Fear makes for a fight or flight response. Limits options. Removing fear even for a while (not throwing caution to the wind) opens up the mind to new possibilities.
A world reimagined and realigned is what we are heading into. I would much rather the creators of this world shape it from a place of creative and positive energy than from a place of fear. The fear plays an important role. It has made us stop in our tracks. The conscious pause to choose reaction or response. Reaction is visceral while a response can come from head and heart with the intent of shaping a kinder, smarter and more sustainable tomorrow, where harmony is the driving force. Not doing harm and staying out of harm’s way is important. Finding a space of Harmony will ensure both.
Nature has taught us that there is always a cycle. An opening and a closing. History. Culture. Fashion. Art and literature all give us this insight. I am not sure where we are as a planet in this cycle. I can only speak with certainly that I am starting to begin the journey of opening up again. I find myself in search of new experiences.
Less judgmental.
More willing to explore all of what life has to offer.
More grateful for what I have.
More in touch with my emotions.
More willing to help others.
Living each day at a time.
Squeezing every drop out of the lemon. Sometimes finding it so sour that tears come to my eyes. Other times going too close to the rind and I am left with a bitter aftertaste, that I am learning to if not enjoy, at least accept. Sometimes sweet and joyful Lemonade is made or enjoyed along with a tequila shot some days. Lemon pie with cream. Lime pickle. I could go on. But I think I will stop here as I hope to have given you dear reader, a taste of what I have discovered and some food for thought.
Holding space. Finding the space. Making the space to help heal the world and make it a better place, one person at a time.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
A trusted coaching and communications professional, Nikhil Dey is a certified life and leadership coach (International Coach Federation - ICF). Nurturing talent and helping clients achieve their goals is what makes him happy. He loves learning from students of communication, teaching courses and guest lecturing at various educational institutions. When he is not working you will find him on the tennis court or out for long walks with his family and four legged friends.
Previously he has held senior leadership positions at Weber Shandwick and Genesis BCW.
He can be reached on twitter @deydreaming
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