Reasons to be cheerful?
I know that we live in tough times, and for some – in essential work, or those with limited resources, or looking after loved ones in constrained lockdown conditions, or those fretting over aged relatives confined to care homes – these are circumstances that bring stress, ill-health and poor prospects for the future. Emily Maitlis certainly got it right on her introduction on Newsnight recently – the pandemic is accentuating differences, not acting as a leveller (see here - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-emily-maitlis-newsnight-bbc-inequality-boris-johnson-a9456696.html); something we will all need to come to terms with.
Looking broadly across what is happening, I can nonetheless see some really encouraging things that – despite all – are reasons to be hopeful (if not cheerful). I’ve seen:
· An upsurge in local support for friends and neighbours
· The friendliness of walkers, runners and cyclists during the hour’s exercise
· The reduced motorised traffic
· Greater innovation in the way we do business (necessity being the mother of invention)
· Developing family bonds as home-schooling challenges both learner and parents to work even more closely together
· The amazing volunteering spirit
· Increasing localism – local food retailers
· Online activities that bring people together – quizzing, socialising
· Increased number of phone calls - real conversations! - with people that we may not have had contact with for a while
My children have been brilliant – my daughter developing essential online content for her employer in record-time; my son continuing to work whilst looking after his toddler, wife and dog. And my wonderful wife taking a large box of chocolate Easter bunnies to the staff of her mother’s care home today.
All of which leads me to wonder:
- What future do we all want, coming out of this pandemic?
- How does this crisis help us to take greater responsibility for the society we want?
- How do we prevent a return to ‘business as usual’ and instead create a new, more compassionate culture going forward?
Author: breakthrough facilitator and coach/counsellor: founder at Centre for Management Creativity and High Trenhouse.
4 年Nice article, David - and pertinent questions. I do hope people keep asking - and that we manage to use the hiatus to invent a better society. The last time such an opportunity occurred was in the 1940s as we emerged from the horrors of war. People seized the opportunity and there was a period when we sought the common good. Now we must do the same - on a global scale and for the good of the planet itself. Let's stop the greed and selfishness and work together for all life on earth
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4 年Dear David Evans , what a wonderful read...it is like how I met you and how I get to know you...always interested in the other person...what I am interested in is your personal mindfull experience, what this period made you realize personally...Warm regards ??
Executive Coach, Outcome Coaching Ltd | Non-Executive Director | Board Member | Strategic Growth | Currently cultivating new board opportunities
4 年David, some great questions to reflect on for ourselves and so many of the people I am nearby are also talking about the positives. This outlook will help us stay well and move through this, together.
Experienced Organisation Change & Development Partner | Creating Impactful Collaborations | Team Coach & Facilitator | Diversity Advocate
4 年David, wonderful post. There was an article in one of the Dutch papers this weekend on social mindfulness. That is automatic kindness. I wonder to what extent we will move from conscious kindness to even greater unconscious kindness and social mindfulness.
David, Q 4. What has changed in your world in the past three weeks Q 4a. How might this impact on your business and the world around you Q 5. Ask the above question of your customers and their customers? Have piloted theses three questions and got some powerful insights a bout what the future might look like and it was not what I was expecting. Richard