Time To Embrace The Change That Is Coming!

We are entering a phase of uncertainty in current times, which by all accounts could change the world as we know it and how we live for the foreseeable future. As ever there are two ways of looking at this, positively or negatively, with both having interesting pros and cons that shall be debated about for many years to come. As an individual though, the choice is yours as to how you see these times, how you respond to them, how you act, how you see yourself and what part do you see yourself playing in the short, mid and long terms?

I had to go out over the weekend for a drive and what I saw absolutely astounded me. In Towcester and Northampton shops, there were a large number of people with no intent of attempting social distancing, the seated areas outside of Costa Coffee was full of people and generally, there seemed to be a total disregard for the warnings that the government have been issuing over the past few days. By all accounts, this trend is being continued up and down the country, with some tourist venues having the highest number of visitors since their records began! There are officials in other countries shocked by how our country is reacting, with those who have witnessed, and those who are, still suffering in Italy, horrified by our actions.

I am damn proud of this country after all I fought for it, though I am no politician, I believe Mr Boris Johnson and his team of advisors are doing a brilliant job in extremely difficult times. Whilst there will be those who feel, 'he could have done this better’ or ‘done that better’, trust me as someone who deployed on multiple military operations around the globe and have had to make harrowing decisions with people looking to me for answers and direction, 'the only bad decision, is indecision!' Don’t sit in your warm, safe home, on your comfy sofa, taking time to reflect on decisions made and ridicule those, who are simply doing the very best they can, in unprecedented times!

There is a saying in the Army when you are faced with obstacles or challenging situations, which is: ‘Improvise, Adapt and Overcome’. We are all faced with multiple challenging situations right now of varying types, that will mean and impact individuals in differing ways and so it is time for us all, to take a step back, look at the bigger picture and then Improvise, Adapt and Overcome, facing each challenge head on, one at a time.

Personally though, I think our biggest challenge is going to be ‘US’ as individuals, identifying what type of person we want to be, what values and beliefs we will stand by and carry forward, using them as a compass to guide us through the maze of decisions and drawing on their strength during the difficult days, weeks and months ahead.

We have been spoilt as a western society and become selfish, this is not merely my talking shit through frustration and personal assumptions, though they do play a part if I am totally honest, this is a fact which has been proven over the past few days, by people’s actions across the country. Whilst I recognise those of you who have been the polar opposite to this, standing by your values, beliefs and demonstrating integrity, I am fearful that you might well be in the minority, though that IS an assumption of mine!

HOWEVER, I do believe in us, I believe in YOU and we need to believe in ourselves and one another. In the Army, I stood shoulder to shoulder on the battlefield, with individuals that I wouldn’t normally associate with, even those that I simply didn’t like, BUT, when it came down to it and the shit hit the fan, we would stand there, shoulder to shoulder, with complete and absolute trust in those around you, that they ‘had your back’ and so we stood as one, unflinching, strong and resilient against any challenge that stood in our way.

YOU have the power to manage your thoughts and behaviors, to change your perceptions of the various situations that will present themselves, seeking to understand others point of view and their own needs before that of your own. It is NOT easy, believe me I know only too well, though I am also aware of just how rewarding it can be and the difference you can make to peoples lives through identifying how to become a better version of who you are.

See this as an opportunity to change our ways for the better, it is our wake up call, sometimes in life you need a short sharp shock of reality, to wake you up to your misgivings and empower you to change your destructive ways of thinking. I experienced this a couple of times during my life, whilst living on the streets, to my recovery journey from mental illness, so I recognise the signs and personally think that this is collectively ours!

Grab it with both hands though, embrace it whilst ensuring you Improvise, Adapt and Overcome, then identify exactly who YOU want to be, what part you want to play and use your values as your compass to guide you. Remember, together we are stronger, we can achieve anything we work for and no one is alone, are you with me?

The new podcast episode of my show: Lets Talk Mental Health came out at the weekend, with the topic being about #Covid19 and the provision of hints, tips and best practices for Self Management from Amelia Thorpe of Wellbeing360.

You can catch up with it here - Covid19, What The Hell? and a quick mention of the shows sponsors: Dylogic and AngelDiMedia, without who the show would not be possible, thank you.